It’s Clear to See: Offering Dental and Vision Insurance is Good for Business

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| 2 min read

Offering a comprehensive benefits package including vision and dental helps your business stand out and appear more attractive to talented candidates. Plus, poor vision and oral health can take a toll on productivity. Vision disorders alone account for more than $8 billion in lost productivity each year, impacting your business and the health of your employees. And there’s another factor many business owners may not be prepared for: By 2020, 25 percent of the workforce will be comprised of people who are over the age of 55. While age comes with wisdom and experience, it also comes with a higher risk for vision or dental concerns (individuals over the age of 65 account for 30 percent of all vision impairments). Vision and dental health are a large concern for aging employees:
  • Vision issues affecting older employees: More often than not, older people need prescription eyeglasses—two-thirds of Americans rely on prescriptions to see clearly. In addition to needing eyeglasses, they may encounter diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration. Regular visits to the eye doctor can help prevent or detect these diseases early, lessening the burden in the long run.
  • Dental issues affecting older employees: Tooth decay over time is inevitable—even if you take good care of your teeth. Gum recession, swelling and decay are all problems that arise as you age. A decrease in oral health can also indicate serious other health conditions such as diabetes. Offering dental insurance early on can help create healthy dental habits for the future.
These are just some of the reasons why it is more important than ever for employers to offer vision and dental insurance to protect the health and well-being of their employees. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan offers different vision and dental insurance plans to fit your company’s budget and needs. For more information on Blue Vision and Blue Dental, visit here or contact your agent.
MI Blues Perspectives is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit, independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association