When employees don’t feel well and miss work, business operations can suffer. While many are sick due to common cold viruses or the flu, problems with dental, vision and hearing also can impact employees’ health and productivity. However, insurance benefits can make a difference by helping employees pay for the health they need.
Dental health
Sometimes people put off dealing with tooth pain, hoping it will go away. Unfortunately, the pain may be a symptom of decay or other oral problems. If the pain gets intense, employees may be distracted and less productive at work, or take sick time to deal with it.
One reason employees put off seeing the dentist is they don’t have insurance benefits to cover the cost. However, research shows that employees with dental insurance are way more likely to see the dentist. Depending on the plan, employees can have one or two preventive exams yearly for dental checkups and cleanings. These exams are vital to overall wellness, because they also can reveal signs of insidious health problems, such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
Vision health
Employees can experience a variety of vision problems that impact their job performance. One survey reports that many employees complain about having dry or tired eyes, blurry vision or headaches while working on computers. To deal with the problem, they usually take two or more breaks during the day. The National Headache Foundation says headaches cost businesses $17 billion in lost productivity, sick time and medical bills.
Vision insurance is a stable plan that employees expect to have included in their benefits packages. Depending on the plan design, employees can have their vision checked annually or every two years and receive material discounts to assist with the purchase of prescription eyewear or contact lenses.
Hearing care
The world has gotten louder, causing more people to experience hearing loss. Often people don’t know they have a problem until they notice they cannot hear people on the phone or need to turn up the volume on the television.
The EAR Foundation reports that only about one-third of people with hearing loss have had their hearing tested. That’s unfortunate because the first hearing exam gives the doctor a baseline to use when evaluating hearing changes that occur with age and exposure to loud noises.
Hearing must be protected to be preserved. That’s why many employers are including hearing coverage in their benefits packages to encourage employees to schedule baseline exams. According to the Hearing Loss Association of America, employees with hearing loss often struggle to communicate effectively at work or with family and friends. Don’t let this happen.
Researchers at the National Council on Aging discovered that people with hearing loss who seek treatment, such as hearing aids, are more emotionally secure and less socially isolated than those who don’t.
Dental, vision and hearing benefits are key to long-term wellness. If you’re in the market for these benefits, or are just curious, get started by learning about our innovative, flexible solutions today.
Sources:
National Association of Dental Plans
Optometry Times
Hear-it
Hearing Loss Association of America
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