Background
In this study, the authors provide a better understanding of enrollment trends associated
with dental plans embedded in private-sector, employer-sponsored insurance health
plans for the years 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2018.
Methods
Data used were from the insurance component of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey.
The authors present the number of employees enrolled in employer-sponsored insurance
health plans and the percentage of these employees enrolled in health plans that include
dental benefits. The authors present yearly estimates for 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2018,
according to employer characteristics and state.
Results
While the number of embedded dental benefit plans has decreased from approximately
14.1 million plans to slightly more than 9.3 million plans in 2018 since 2005, the
percentage of enrollees in employer-sponsored insurance health plans with dental coverage
has decreased from approximately 23.2% of enrollees to slightly more than 15.0%.
Conclusions
Although the percentage of embedded dental plans is decreasing, they are still an
important component of the dental insurance market and are especially important to
those employees who are enrolled.
Practical Implications
Information will provide a better understanding of the source and extent of embedded
dental plans provided via private-sector employers. These plans are often less generous
than stand-alone plans.