Last
week, DentaQuest presented at the America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) Institute
2014
conference in Seattle. AHIP Institute is the largest gathering of health plans
and related services. Mike Enright, National Director for Commercial Sales at
DentaQuest; Steve Pollock, Chief Operating Officer at DentaQuest; and Dr. Rob
Compton, Executive Director of the DentaQuest Institute, made the case that
ancillary products like dental and vision are highly desired by consumers
and important to health plan growth.
Consider
that 20% of purchasers on the federal health insurance marketplace in this first
year bought a dental plan in addition to a medical plan. For many this is the
first time they have ever had dental benefits. Standalone plans on
exchanges are filling a need for consumers who did not have access to dental
benefits previously. Health plans that partner with dental plans to offer
comprehensive, reliable and cost effective benefits are well positioned to
provide consumers with a high value product.
DentaQuest
surveyed health plans both this year and last year for their thoughts on
including a dental benefit in their offerings. In 2013, 83 percent responded
that they planned to add a dental benefit. This year, 100 percent confirmed a
desire to add dental. We heard this theme repeated in multiple presentations at
this conference—having ancillary products – especially dental and vision – in a
health plan’s product mix is a differentiator. Beyond that, these benefits open
opportunities to better manage overall health and wellness.
Over
3,000 people attended the conference, which this year focused on engaging the
consumer in their healthcare choices. To honor that theme, the opening session
featured leaders from three consumer focused companies – REI, Trader Joe’s and
Nordstrom, Inc. DentaQuest was the only dental benefit company participating; we
are honored to have had the opportunity to present at such a distinguished
conference.