Why Are Vision and Dental Insurance Separate from Health Insurance?
When you talk to clients about benefits, one question often comes up: Why is dental and vision insurance separate from health insurance?
It’s a fair question! The answer comes down to how these kinds of care started, how people use them and how the rules work today.
The Historical Reason Vision and Dental Are Separate
Health insurance, as we know it today, became more common in the U.S. after World War II. It was made to help cover big, unexpected medical bills like hospital stays or surgeries. At that time, dental and vision care weren’t seen as serious medical needs. They were treated more like extras, like getting a haircut or going to the gym.
Because of this, health insurance grew one way, while dental and vision went a different way. Special companies were created just to handle dental and vision services, and in many cases that’s still how it works today.
This history helps explain why dental and vision insurance are still offered on their own.
How Laws Keep Vision and Dental Coverage Separate
Federal laws also keep dental and vision separate from health plans. For example, under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), only children are required to have dental and vision coverage with their health plan. For adults, these benefits are optional, meaning employers can choose whether to offer them.
This gives employers more flexibility to build a benefits package that fits their budget and workforce. It also allows employees to select the coverage they need or desire.
Common Misconceptions Clients Have About Coverage
Some of your clients might think that dental and vision are always included in their health insurance plan. Others may think standalone policies aren’t necessary unless they’re experiencing issues.
That’s why it’s so important to teach them how dental and vision insurance work. Helping your clients understand how these benefits work and how powerful dental and vision screenings can be can empower them to make smarter choices.
What Brokers Need to Know About Ancillary Benefits
As a broker, you play a key role in helping clients understand why these benefits matter. You can help explain that dental and vision insurance are separate because of history and laws, not because they’re less important. In fact, people are encouraged to visit the dentist and eye doctor regularly, even if they feel fine. Why? Because these routine visits help catch problems early, when they’re easier and cheaper to fix.
For example:
- Eye exams can spot signs of diabetes or high blood pressure.
- Dental cleanings help prevent gum disease and cavities and can help combat other medical issues.
Whenever you can, suggest bundled or voluntary dental and vision plans as part of a holistic benefits strategy. These options add real value to an incentive package, support employee well-being and show that the employer is invested in their team’s total health.
Why Offering Dental and Vision Can Boost Client Retention
Adding dental and vision coverage can increase satisfaction with benefits and improve client loyalty. These plans show employees that their company cares about their well-being, which leads to better morale and less turnover.
The Bottom Line
Dental and vision insurance are separate because of how they started, how they’re used and how they’re regulated—not because they’re less important.
Today, selling these plans isn’t just about checking a box. It’s about helping clients build a better benefits package that leads to healthier, happier workers.
