Before you solve other issues,it is essential to begin with a strong core. (Photo:Shutterstock)

A few months ago, after a long plane trip, I started to have lower back issues and ended up going tophysical therapy. I expected the focus to be on some kind ofmanipulation of my back. Instead, the therapist gave me exercisesdesigned to build up my core. He explained that the muscles andnerves in the lower back are tied to those in the core. Before yousolve other issues, it is essential to begin with a strongcore.

This started me thinking about the benefits employees andemployers consider to be the core. Core benefits aregenerally those that meet the essential financial needs ofemployees and their families and satisfy the employer's goal ofattracting and retaining employees. Let's consider the productsthat make a successful core benefit plan.

Related: 3 areas where employee benefits are out ofwhack

Marty Traynor is vice presidentof voluntary
benefits at Mutual of Omaha.

Studies show that the top insured benefits (combining employerand employee interest) are medical and prescription benefits,dental and vision, life and disability income protection, followedby critical illness, accident, hospital indemnity and lifestylebenefits.

Benefits related to health and wellness top the list. A strongcore starts at the top and includes dental and vision alongside medical andpharmacy plans.

There are two reasons why dental and vision benefits sit in thecore. Most employees and insured family members will use thebenefits during a given year, for routine examinations as well asany necessary follow-ups. While on the surface these routineexaminations are designed to diagnose and prescribe treatment forany problems, the value also includes the relationship between thehealth and wellness of insured members and their oral and visualhealth.

Dental checkups are commonly scheduled every six months, whilephysical exams with the doctor may not even be conducted once ayear. A year ago, my doctor said it was nice of me for to show upevery two or three years for my annual exam. I don't think I'matypical. During those biannual dental exams, significant healthissues can be detected, including oral cancers and diabetes, aswell as less common conditions. Similarly, vision exams candiagnose eye tumors, diabetic retinopathy and other significantmedical issues.

The high utilization of dental and vision products has anotherbenefit based on behavioral economics. The cognitive bias,hyperbolic discounting, is when people choose smaller, immediaterewards over larger, later rewards. Employees love benefits they'reconfident will help them in the current year. Owning benefits theyknow they will use encourages employees to pay attention duringenrollment and allows us the opportunity to present extendedbenefits during that enrollment.

We know that a strong core of benefits has medical, retirement,life and income protection. But dental and vision products fit intothe core because they encourage and incent regular checkups and canhelp in early detection of serious diseases. And everyinsured—employee, spouse and children—will benefit.

What happens when you build up your core? On the personal side,my back feels great. On the benefits side, employers can be sureemployees have access to the most important and popular items. Thenemployees can consider their own personal needs to build around thecore, through other voluntary benefits made available through theiremployer.

Want to build your core? Check out these greatreads:

• Dental and vision trends focus on preventivehealth
• Diabetes and workplace health: the role of dentaland vision coverage
• 4 reasons employer-sponsored health insurance won'tgo away