Qualifying life events: When to update dental and vision insurance

Big life changes, such as landing a new job, getting married, welcoming a new child to your family or retiring, bring excitement and opportunity. During these times, don’t overlook that your insurance may need to change, too.

Understanding when you have a qualifying life event can help you avoid gaps in dental and vision care.

What is a qualifying life event?

A qualifying life event is a major change in your life that allows you to enroll in or update your insurance outside of the typical open enrollment period. This is known as a special enrollment period.

Common examples of qualifying life events include:

• Losing or changing a job
• Getting married or divorced
• Having or adopting a child
• Moving to a new area
• Retiring

The special enrollment period usually begins on the date of the qualifying life event and continues for 60 or 90 days before the period closes.¹ So, you only have a few weeks or months to update your insurance. That’s why it’s important to have a plan to keep your coverage without any interruptions.

How life changes affect your coverage

Job changes

If you lose your job, you may need to act quickly to avoid a lapse in coverage. You have several options to stay covered after losing your employer-sponsored benefits. Federal health insurance, individual dental and vision plans and COBRA can keep you covered while you find new employment. If available, joining your spouse’s insurance plan is also an option.

Marriage or family changes

Getting married or welcoming a child may allow you to join a spouse’s plan or update your current coverage.

Retirement

Retirement is a major life transition, and you need a plan to ensure you’re covered as you enter this new phase. Many employer insurance plans end when you leave the workforce, so it’s important to explore individual dental and vision plan options to maintain coverage. A very important note: Most Medicare plans do not include dental coverage, so getting an individual plan is a good way to fill the gap. 

Navigating life’s big events: Tips for changing your dental and vision insurance

If you’re facing a major life change, you may need to change your dental and vision insurance, too. These simple suggestions can help:

• Act quickly: Enrollment windows are limited after a qualifying life event.
• Review your needs: Consider whether you expect to need major services and vision benefits.
• Check provider networks: Make sure your dentist or eye specialist is in network.
• Avoid gaps in care: Try to have new coverage start as your old coverage ends.

Dental and vision care are important at every stage of life. Whether you’re transitioning jobs or planning for retirement, understanding your options will help keep you healthy and protected through life’s moments, big and small.

REFERENCE:

1. Healthinsurance.org

SOURCES:

HealthCare.gov

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Helping kids see clearly: Delta Dental of Iowa's children's vision benefit

Approximately 25% of American children have a vision disorder that requires treatment, but many aren’t receiving proper eye care.¹

Good vision plays a big role in a child’s development. Clear sight helps everything from classroom learning and playing sports to simply exploring their world. Delta Dental of Iowa offers vision coverage through DeltaVision® to give parents easier and more affordable access to eye care for their kids.

Not seeing clearly? It’s not always clear

Children don’t always know when their vision isn’t clear. Instead, they may struggle with reading, lose focus in school or complain of headaches. Comprehensive eye exams can catch these issues early, often before they affect a child’s learning or development.

Experts recommend children receive comprehensive eye exams, even if they don’t show obvious symptoms. If your child is squinting, sitting too close to screens or struggling in school, it may be time to schedule a visit. Your eye specialist will take your child’s specific medical history into account when recommending how often they need eye exams.

What vision benefits typically cover

Specific DeltaVision benefits vary by employer plan, but most include:

• Comprehensive eye exams: Regular exams help detect vision changes and identify potential health concerns early.
• Glasses or contact lenses: Many plans include allowances for frames and lenses, making it more affordable to correct vision when needed.
• A large provider network: Families can choose from thousands of eye care professionals nationwide, including independent providers and popular retail locations.

Additional peace of mind

Because a child’s vision can change quickly, DeltaVision offers a children’s vision benefit. This is additional coverage that includes:

• An additional eye exam if vision changes
• Replacement lenses if prescription changes within the same benefit year
• Covered polycarbonate and photochromatic lens options
• Contact lens fit and follow-up services
• 40% off additional complete pairs of prescription eyeglasses

Taking your child to an eye specialist provides parents priceless peace of mind while also establishing healthy habits early on. By using their vision benefits regularly, families can help children build a foundation for lifelong eye health.

And because DeltaVision can be paired with Delta Dental coverage, families benefit from a convenient, all-in-one approach to managing both oral and vision health.

Want to add the children’s vision benefit to your DeltaVision plan? Speak to your Delta Dental of Iowa account manager today.

REFERENCE:

1. American Optometric Association

SOURCES:

Centers for Disease Control

American Optometric Association