How bundling medical and ancillary benefits can strengthen employee health and employer benefits

Benefits play a central role in supporting employees’ health, well‑being, and productivity. Medical, dental, and vision coverage form the core of that support. Still, ancillary benefits are often left out of the package for a variety of reasons, even though they can add meaningful value for employees and organizations alike. According to 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 70 percent of employees have access to medical coverage, but access to dental and vision benefits is far less common.¹ Dental coverage can be as low as 30 percent, while vision coverage can be as low as 21 percent.²

Bundling medical, dental, and vision coverage through the right partner can make ancillary benefits more accessible for employees and help employers offer a comprehensive, attractive package.

How bundling benefits can improve experience and reduce costs

Cost and complexity often keep employers from offering ancillary benefits. Bundling medical and ancillary coverage through an experienced carrier can address both challenges because it:

• Creates a coordinated experience. Bundling coverage with one carrier reduces administrative burden for HR teams and gives employers access to integrated coverage and streamlined support. With a single partner for medical and ancillary benefits, communication, issue resolution, and member support become more efficient.
  
  Tom Eisaman, Director of Account Management for UPMC Health Plan, explains that bundling simplifies plan management by centralizing support. “Employers who bundle with UPMC Health Plan have one account manager who can answer questions on all coverages, which is especially helpful for companies without large internal administrative teams.”
  
  "The same simplicity applies to employees. Covered employees can call Member Services and get answers to questions about their medical, dental, and vision coverage from one contact,” Eisaman says.
  
  Evaluating network strength is also especially important. Eisaman notes that “Because UPMC Health Plan is part of an integrated delivery and finance system with UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh, our networks are backed by clinical expertise and academic excellence. We offer access to high‑quality providers and facilities, with customer service to match.”
• Offers cost savings. Bundling strengthens an employer’s ability to protect employee health by aligning coverage and eliminating gaps that can disrupt care. In addition, employer groups that select UPMC Health Plan receive a discount on their medical premium for each bundled ancillary product. These discounts—combined with integrated support—help employers manage costs while strengthening their benefits package.
  
  Eisaman notes that bundling creates wraparound value. “The more coverage you bundle, the more ways we can help protect employee health with one comprehensive package.” UPMC Health Plan also includes COBRA administrative services at no cost for employers who bundle medical, dental, and vision coverage. “Our Member Services and Enrollment teams work internally to manage COBRA enrollment and other complex situations, saving employers time and administrative effort,” Eisaman notes.
  
  Bundling also supports downstream savings. “As an employer, you’re saving money, which can help with employee contributions. Bundling becomes both a savings package and an administrative advantage,” Eisaman adds.
• Enhances value with modern solutions. Bundling gives employees access to digital‑forward solutions that improve convenience and satisfaction. One such solution is XP Health, with whom UPMC Health Plan has developed a partnership.³ This digital‑first vision care program offers thousands of frames, online prescription renewal, and savings on glasses and contacts.
  
  “Members still visit a provider for their eye exam, but when they receive their prescription, they log in to XP Health where they can choose from more than 3,500 brand‑name frames,” Eisaman explains. “The average savings is significant—more than $250.” 

Strategies to select a cost‑effective, comprehensive ancillary package

Choosing the right ancillary benefits requires careful consideration. These strategies can help employers select plans that support employee health, cost management, and smooth integration.

• Compare plans thoroughly. Start by reviewing your current benefits and comparing them with ancillary carriers on your list. Evaluate dental, vision, and hearing health plan designs, network quality, and coverage details. Consider surveying employees to understand which services matter most to them.
• Read the fine print. Premiums are only one part of the equation. Some ancillary plans may appear cost effective upfront but include waiting periods or benefit structures that limit access to care. Eisaman explains, “Some dental plans give employees preventive care right away but impose waiting periods for fillings, extractions, crowns, or implants. We don’t have waiting periods that delay care.”
  Remember that plan maximums also matter. “Some carriers apply all services—including preventive care—toward the annual maximum. With UPMC Health Plan, Class 1 services don’t count toward that amount, giving employees more protection for costly Class 2 and Class 3 services,” Eisaman says.
  It is also essential to review how carriers manage prior authorizations. “Our plans prioritize clinical expertise. If you and your dentist decide you need an implant, bridge, or crown, you can move forward and use predetermination information to estimate costs.”
• Ensure innovation. Look for carriers committed to modern digital tools that meet evolving employee needs. The UPMC Health Plan app and member site give employees 24/7 access to medical, dental, and vision care information in one place.
  “Our members can view all their coverage in one location,” Eisaman says. “They don’t have to jump between sites, remember multiple passwords, or contact different teams for support.”
  Remember that navigating health insurance plans for employees is a complex process. You can use these tips to help you research plan features and benefits.

UPMC Health Plan vision, dental, and hearing health benefits

At UPMC Health Plan, we work hard to ensure that our benefits help our members live their healthiest life. Our ancillary benefits—including vision, dental, and hearing coverage—are an important part of a comprehensive benefits package:⁴

• UPMC Vision Care, administered by National Vision Administrators (NVA®), gives members access to a national network of vision care providers. There are a variety of plan designs with both copay and no copay options.
• UPMC Dental Advantage plans encourage regular preventive care and are designed to foster open communication between employees and their dentists. Employers can purchase UPMC Dental Advantage as a standalone benefit or integrate it with their UPMC Health Plan medical coverage.
• Our hearing health benefit is provided in partnership with Amplifon Hearing Health Care for employers with 51 or more employees. Amplifon has negotiated discounts with a nationwide network of providers, and members can use their hearing healthcare benefits to lower the providers’ already discounted prices.