How to update benefits after marriage
Do dental and vision benefits change after tying the knot?
It’s wedding season! A time for romance, celebration, and big, healthy smiles. But in the middle of all the fun, don’t forget to take care of your dental and vision benefits.
Whether you and your spouse continue to have separate plans or combine coverage, understanding your options can help you make the best choice for your oral health, eye health, and budget. Here’s what you need to do:
1. Review your current coverage
Start by checking your and your spouse’s existing dental and vision plans. Look at the benefits, costs, deductibles, and coverage details to see how they compare.
2. Decide if you’ll be on the same plan
It may seem like you need to have the same plan once you are married, but there are actually a few different options depending on what’s right for your new family. You could:
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Keep your individual plans. This can be helpful if each plan offers specialized benefits, like orthodontic coverage or lower costs for specific procedures.
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Add a spouse as a dependent on the other’s plan. This can simplify billing and, depending on your situation, can cost less than two individual plans.
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Enroll in dual coverage, where both spouses are listed on both plans. It can be complicated coordinating payment between two plans, but in some instances, it may also help reduce treatment costs.
3. Check enrollment deadlines
Marriage is a qualifying life event, which means you typically have 30-60 days to update your dental and vision benefits after the wedding. Be sure you don’t miss the deadline.
4. Contact your employer or insurance provider
If your dental or vision plan is through work, notify your HR department to update your coverage. If you have an independent plan, reach out to your provider to make adjustments.
5. Update your dentist and doctors
You’ll be sent an updated insurance card once any changes you make are complete. Show the new card to your dentist, optometrist, or doctor before your next visit so they can update their system. Then, you and your spouse are free to kick back, smile, and enjoy your new life together.
