Insider Update

The country is finally emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, but employers face uncertainty, with rising costs, continuing health care expenses and fears of a recession. What does this mean for employee benefits in 2023? Here’s what you should expect.
 

Belt-tightening and health benefits

As an economic slowdown continues to loom, businesses are taking the threats more seriously. Both large and small businesses are looking to cut costs in preparation for a possible recession, according to a recent KPMG survey. Eight out of every 10 CEOs in the U.S. believe the economy is headed for a recession within the next year.

Small businesses looking to cut don’t have to put benefits on the chopping block, though. Delta Dental offers small business dental plans at three different price points to meet most budgets. Delta Dental PPO™ and DeltaCare® USA plans are available at each price point.
 

Expansion of telehealth

The COVID-19 pandemic saw a huge increase in telemedicine and teledentistry. That trend is expected to continue, with about 55% of large employers planning to increase access to virtual health services, according to a November report.

Many Delta Dental members have access to two virtual dentistry options — Virtual Consult, in which they can talk to a dentist via a video call, and Toothpic, which offers consultations from a dentist based on a photo they upload.
 

The rise of individual accounts

As health care exchanges are becoming more popular, individual coverage HRAs (ICHRAs), which began in 2020, are increasing in number. With ICHRAs, companies give employees a defined contribution that can be used for premiums or out-of-pocket expenses. When an employee purchases a health plan, the employee can use an ICHRA to purchase dental coverage as well. ICHRAs are a way for companies to give employees more flexibility to select a plan that best suits their needs.
 

Benefits essential in attracting clients

Some employers who are looking to expand in 2023 will find job applicants tough to find as the Great Resignation continues to influence the job market.

According to a recent survey, almost half of employees said they would look for a new job in 2023, up 5 percentage points from last year. And a Forbes survey found that in 2022, about one out of every 10 employees left a job they liked to find better benefits.

Tell your clients that having robust dental benefits will make their jobs even more enticing. Only 44% of non-military workers have access to dental benefits, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, so those companies who do offer dental benefits have an extra advantage in attracting good applicants. Benefits keep employees at a job, and they’re more productive when they’re healthy and have good benefits, including dental benefits. In fact, a recent survey showed that 33% say health benefits and services are the most important factor when choosing an employer.
 

Benefits are still vital

It’s important to remember that health care benefits are a big part of an employer’s overall salary package. They can help attract and retain employees, and having healthy people on the job means they’re more productive. Let Delta Dental help you deliver the best benefits to them.