New benefits trend? Combining dental and health insurance

Of the 20% of health insurers who do not offer dental benefits, more than half of them are likely to offer it in the future, according to a recent study. (Photo: Shuterrstock)

The combination of dental and health insurance plans is increasing, according to a new West Monroe study, as health plans offering adult dental benefits have more than doubled since 2018. Many health plan executives prefer offering consumers a single, bundled dental/health product. Although the dental plans are administered separately–a one-product, two-premium model–given the underwriting complexity.

This is the principal finding of a new report, “Convergence of Dental and Health Insurance Accelerates,” released by West Monroe in June, a national business and technology consulting firm. The survey fielded input from over 100 executives at US-based dental and health insurers. “It is becoming apparent that the health and dental insurance industries are on the verge of convergence, threatening to upend the standalone-dental business model. This survey reinforces the call to action for dental plans,” said Will Hinde, managing director and West Monroe’s Healthcare & Life Sciences practice leader.