NADP Urges Consumers to Enroll in Dental Benefits in the Obamacare Marketplace

Open Enrollment Period in ACA Health Insurance Marketplaces Begins Nov. 1

DALLAS, Oct. 20, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Association of Dental Plans (NADP) recommends consumers apply for dental benefits when the new open enrollment period begins Nov. 1 in the Health Insurance Marketplaces.

What’s New in Marketplace Open Enrollment?
In addition to a shorter open enrollment period for individual coverage under the Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare), federal funding for Health Insurance Marketplaces has been reduced for:

• Promotion of open enrollment (approximately 90% reduced funding)
• Navigators who help individuals sign-up for coverage

To counteract these recent developments, NADP is recommending individuals seeking to add, change or renew coverage enroll themselves and their dependents in dental benefits sooner rather than later as open enrollment ends Dec. 15 for plans purchased through Healthcare.gov. In addition, getting support from the Health Insurance Marketplaces may be difficult in the condensed open enrollment period.

Enrolling in Dental Benefits
Dental plan options often display in the marketplaces only after medical coverage options. Thus, it is necessary to review medical coverage options first before selecting a dental plan.

For general information about the types of dental benefits available, NADP offers a Consumer Resource section on NADP.org, including “Dental Benefits Basics.”

Why Enroll in Dental Benefits?
Research shows dental benefits are important in helping Americans maintain good oral health:

• Dental benefits reduce the cost barrier to dental treatment. According to the NADP 2015 Consumer Survey, 71 percent of consumers with dental benefits visited their dentist in the past six months as compared to only 46 percent of consumers without dental benefits. Dental benefits are affordable. The average monthly dental plan premium across the Health Insurance Marketplaces is $83.57 for a family (two adults) with one child while coverage for an individual is $26.96. (NOTE: Premiums may vary based on a number of factors including age, location and type of insurance product).
• Medical research shows that oral and overall health are connected. Simple actions that maintain dental health can have positive impacts on physical health, especially chronic medical conditions.
• Dental benefits improve access to care for the number one childhood disease, tooth decay (dental caries). According to the Centers for Disease Control, tooth decay is five to eight times more common than asthma.

About NADP
National Association of Dental Plans (NADP), a Texas nonprofit corporation with headquarters in Dallas is the representative and recognized resource of the dental benefits industry. NADP is the only national trade organization that includes the full spectrum of dental benefits companies operating in the United States. NADP’s members provide Dental HMO, Dental PPO, Dental Indemnity and Discount Dental products to more than 184 million Americans with dental benefits. 

CONTACT:
Evelyn Ireland
NADP Executive Director
(972) 458-6998, x101
eireland@nadp.org