Small business dental insurance in Michigan, priced for your size.
Group dental is one of the easiest benefits for a small business to offer, and one of the easiest to overpay for. Dental carriers price by company size and network, so the right plan is found by comparing, not by negotiating. CFH is an independent employee benefits consulting firm. See group benefits in Michigan.
Dental is rated by size band, not built from your group.
Medical is underwritten for each group. Dental is different, and understanding the difference saves time.
Size Bands
Dental carriers rate in bands by number of enrolled employees, commonly starting at two. You receive the card rate for your band, so the saving comes from finding the carrier whose rate and network fit.
The Network Decides It
Dental is mostly a question of which dentists are in network and what the price is. Check that your employees’ dentists participate before you compare rates.
Participation Counts
Rates and carrier requirements depend on how many employees actually enroll. Ask each carrier for its participation rules before you accept a quote.
You decide how much of the cost you carry.
Group dental can be structured three ways, and the choice changes both what you pay and how many employees enroll.
Employer Paid
You cover all or most of the premium. It is the strongest recruiting signal and tends to produce the highest enrollment.
Shared Cost
You contribute a set amount or percentage and employees pay the rest. A common middle path for small businesses.
Voluntary
Employees pay the full premium through payroll and you provide access at group rates. It costs you nothing but still gives the group pricing.
Three things that matter more than the headline rate.
Network and Plan Type
Compare how many dentists participate near your employees and whether the plan pays more for in-network care.
Annual Maximum and Waiting Periods
The yearly benefit limit and any wait before major work is covered can matter more than a small difference in premium.
Coverage Levels
Preventive care is usually covered most fully, with basic and major work covered at lower percentages. Compare the percentages, not just the labels.
Group Dental Insurance for Michigan Employers: A Buyer’s Guide →
Small business dental insurance in Michigan: common questions.
How Many Employees Do We Need?
Dental size bands commonly begin at two enrolled employees, but each carrier sets its own requirements. We confirm them before we quote.
Can We Offer Dental Without Medical?
Many carriers allow it, and requirements vary. A voluntary dental plan is often the simplest starting point for a small group.
What Does Small Business Dental Cost?
It depends on the carrier, the size band, your area and the plan design. We quote several carriers side by side so you can see the range.
Can We Negotiate the Rate?
Usually not below the top size bands, because the carrier is applying a card rate. The saving comes from shopping the carriers and the network.
Should We Pay All of It?
It depends on your budget and how much you want enrollment to climb. Employer-paid plans enroll the most people, while voluntary plans cost you nothing.
What About Vision?
Vision is priced and sold much like dental, and the two are often bundled with one carrier for simpler administration.
Send us your renewal.
We’ll tell you whether it looks competitive, where we see opportunity, and the five questions we’d put to your carrier. No cost, and no obligation to move anything.
The renewal letter
Your current plan summary
Contribution split by tier
Enrolled counts by tier
Four documents — two more if your group is 50 or more. Nothing else; every extra one is a reason to postpone.
An independent employee benefits consulting firm. We look at the entire benefits program — cost, plan performance, risk and administration.
Switch to CFH. Unhappy with your broker? Your employees won’t notice. You will. →
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