Wellness + Nutrition

Taking care of your health — and the health of your family — is so important. A key step in that process is choosing the kind of benefits coverage you’ll need over the next 12 months.

Open enrollment is the time of year when you sign up for health benefits, including medical, dental and vision coverage. This usually comes 30 to 60 days before your new plans take effect. Open enrollment allows you to add, change or cancel coverage for the next 12-month period. You can also make changes to your benefits following a qualifying life event such as a marriage, divorce, birth or adoption, a move or change of job.

If you receive benefits through your job, your employer will let you know when open enrollment is approaching and share options with you. While open enrollment occurs in many workplaces, it is also used for Medicare and for those who get health insurance through the Affordable Care Act.

Preventive care is a key benefit of choosing to have dental coverage. While brushing and flossing daily is important, visiting the dentist regularly should also be a priority. Your dentist can help keep your oral health in shape and identify any problems early.

Routine checkups are covered 100% by most Delta Dental plans and can help identify problems in your mouth and body. Having dental coverage and making sure you visit the dentist regularly will save you money in the long run. That’s because it can help prevent problems that are more urgent, complex and costly to fix.

Nearly all Americans (92%) believe their oral health is important to their overall health. Research proves this crucial connection. Numerous studies show a connection between gum disease and many other diseases and conditions, including heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Read more about how dental and vision exams can help detect diabetes.