Employees of dental practices with quality medical benefits often report higher job satisfaction. High performing dental teams are built on the ability of team members and their loyalty. Dentists and dental team members form relationships, based in trust, with patients. When a team turns over, patients experience less trust and are more likely to look for care elsewhere.
Keeping your dental care team satisfied is good for your patients and your bottom line. One strategic investment that can differentiate your practice is employee benefits. A leading benefit employees favor is quality medical coverage.
Offering quality medical benefits delivers a competitive advantage and a way to care for your team members. Group medical coverage helps secure the future of your practice and ensure its stability.
“Each year we review our group medical policy and work with WDIA to see if there are better medical policies for our staff,” says Port Orchard General Dentist Dr. Peter Grieser. “WDIA are experts at looking at different group medical policies to find the right medical policy that fits your office’s needs.”
At Washington Dentists’ Insurance Agency, we help practice owners identify group medical coverage that fits their needs and the needs of their team. For many practice owners, these needs shift year-over-year as new team members join or policies change. It’s a good idea to check in annually and compare your options for group medical benefits plans.
When you review group medical options consider the policy’s structure. It can help to focus on shared cost scenarios. Also, consider policies that allow bundling. In some cases bundling costs less, and adds value.
“Libby found options that maximize medical benefits against the cost of the policy for our staff,” says Grieser. “Libby was always available to take my calls and emails. She helped guide us through the difficult process of finding the right medical insurance plan. I cannot overstate how lucky we are to have Libby as our medical insurance specialist!”
Competitive Advantage in the Dental Talent Market
Dental professionals, including hygienists, assistants, and administrative staff, have employment options. Offering high quality healthcare benefits offers your practice an advantage when attracting and retaining skilled employees.
A strong benefits package can be a deciding factor for potential hires. Many job seekers prioritize pay and healthcare coverage. For existing team members, high-quality coverage fosters affinity and loyalty; it reduces turnover and creates a more engaged workforce. Employees who feel valued are more likely to stay long-term, reducing hiring costs and improving the consistency of patient care.
Plus, excellent healthcare coverage results in a healthier workforce. Employees who use preventative care and necessary treatments are less likely to miss work due to illness. This ensures your practice runs efficiently and effectively.
Unique Health Risks for Dental Professionals
Dental professionals face unique occupational health risks. Without reliable healthcare, employees may delay necessary treatment worsening health issues. The result can be the loss of a team member, or more time out of work that could have been prevented through proactive care. As an employer, providing comprehensive medical coverage keeps your practice running reliably because team members can access the care they need to stay well.
The group medical policies we offer include preventative care coverage for health risks unique to dental professionals. Our policies cover Chiropractic care, Acupuncture, and physical therapies including prescribed massage therapy. Some group medical policies offer virtual physical therapy, gym memberships, and access to wellness programs. In the State of Washington healthcare insurance companies must cover behavioral (mental) health therapy too.
Quality Group Medical Coverage is a Worthy Investment
With an aging population, limited number of care providers, and the advancement of medical treatments and technologies, the cost of quality healthcare coverage continues to outpace inflation averages. This can make it tempting to seek out lower-cost, minimal-coverage plans. However, the true cost of inadequate group medical coverage is far greater than the price of your practice’s policy.
A major health crisis can have a big impact on your practice. Investing in quality healthcare coverage is not just about avoiding worst-case scenario, it’s about securing the long-term stability of your practice(s). A well-insured workforce is a resilient workforce, capable of weathering health challenges without jeopardizing careers or the business.