Improving the oral health of people with chronic medical conditions,
such as diabetes, asthma and cardiovascular disease, can reduce health
care costs, according to a
new study by UnitedHealthcare.
The research showed that people with certain chronic conditions who
received appropriate dental care, including preventive services and the
treatment of gum disease, had net medical and dental claims that were on
average $1,038 lower per year than claims for chronically ill people who
did not receive that type of oral care. Among diabetics, the average
annual net medical and dentals claims were $1,279 lower per person for
individuals who received treatment for gum disease compared to people
who did not. The savings for all of those groups were achieved even
after accounting for the additional cost of the dental care.
The study’s results underscore the important connection between oral
health and overall health. Researchers have shown a potential link
between gum disease and an array of serious health conditions, including cardiovascular
disease and diabetes. According to the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, people with chronic conditions account for more
than 75 percent of health care costs, so employers and health plans
are increasingly developing strategies to improve the health of these
individuals.
“This study demonstrates that employers can benefit from looking at
their population holistically, and analyzing their medical and dental
benefits collectively,” said Michael Weitzner, DMD, MS, vice president,
UnitedHealthcare Dental. “By taking this approach, companies can take
steps to engage employees around their dental health and improve health
outcomes, potentially reducing health care costs and driving
productivity with a healthier workforce.”
Many employers are starting to embrace this integrated approach.
Employers enrolled in UnitedHealthcare’s Bridge2Health
program provide their workers dental and medical benefits, combined with
additional wellness support and resources, to provide patients and
health care professionals with information that improves decisions and
outcomes.
A total of 165 companies representing more than 850,000 plan
participants have already selected this approach for dental and medical
benefits.
Among the study’s other findings:
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Total average medical costs were lower across all chronic conditions
for people who received periodontal treatment or cleanings compared to
those who did not receive such services, even after accounting for the
costs of additional dental treatments.
-
People with chronic conditions who received regular cleanings (at
least three times during the three years) had the lowest health care
costs of any other dental treatment group (i.e. infrequent cleanings,
no cleanings).
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The savings were also significant for people who received regular
dental care, but were not compliant with the recommended care for
their chronic medical condition. Among the group receiving dental
care, annual average medical costs were $2,320 lower than those not
receiving dental care, with net savings of $1,829 after accounting for
the cost of the dental care.
The study’s results were based on three years (2008 to 2011) of dental
claims data associated with more than 130,000 plan participants enrolled
in both UnitedHealthcare employer-sponsored dental and medical plans.
The results were split by medical condition, as well as by whether or
not people were compliant with managing their chronic condition, thereby
minimizing compliance bias from the study.
The study was a joint effort between UnitedHealthcare, a leading health
benefits company, and Optum, a leading information and
technology-enabled health services business.
About UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare
is dedicated to helping people nationwide live healthier lives by
simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and
wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care
providers. The company offers the full spectrum of health benefit
programs for individuals, employers and Medicare and Medicaid
beneficiaries, and contracts directly with 780,000 physicians and care
professionals and 5,900 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide.
UnitedHealthcare serves more than 40 million people in health benefits
and is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH), a
diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company.
About Optum
Optum (www.optum.com)
is a leading information and technology-enabled health services business
dedicated to helping make the health system work better for everyone.
Optum comprises three companies – OptumHealth, OptumInsight and OptumRx
– representing over 35,000 employees worldwide who collaborate to
deliver integrated, intelligent solutions that work to modernize the
health system and improve overall population health. Optum is part of
the UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH).
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Copyright Business Wire 2013