A new study released by UnitedHealthCare states that by improving the oral health of employees who suffer from chronic medical conditions, like asthma and diabetes, can reduce employers’ healthcare costs.
According to the study, the research showed that people who suffer from certain chronic conditions and receive proper dental care had both medical and dental claims that were on average $1,038 lower per year than claims by people who suffer from chronic medical conditions who did not receive proper oral care. Research also shows that for diabetics, the average annual net medical and dentals claims were $1,279 lower for individuals who received treatment for gum disease compared to people who did not.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports, "People with chronic conditions account for more than 75 percent of healthcare costs, so employers and health plans are increasingly developing strategies to improve the health of these individuals."
Vice president of UnitedHealthCare Dental, Michael Weitzner, DMD, states, “This study demonstrates that employers can benefit from looking at their population holistically, and analyzing their medical and dental benefits collectively. By taking this approach, companies can take steps to engage employees around their dental health and improve health outcomes, potentially reducing healthcare costs and driving productivity with a healthier workforce.”
Employers are catching on to this integrated approach. For employers enrolled in UnitedHealthCare’s Bridge2Health program they provide for their workers dental and medical benefits. They also receive wellness support and resources that provide patients and also healthcare professionals with the information necessary for them to make good decisions that have positive outcomes.
So far 165 companies that represent over 850,000 plan participants have selected this approach for their dental and medical benefit needs.
The study also shows that the total average medical costs were far lower for patients with chronic conditions that received periodontal treatment or cleanings compared to those who did not.
The study’s results were based on dental claims from 2008-2011. It included more than 130,000 plan participants enrolled in both UnitedHealthCare employer-sponsored dental and medical plans.
The study was a joint effort between UnitedHealthcare and Optum, an information and technology-enabled health services company.
Edited by
Alisen Downey
