Like many young adults, you’ve probably not experienced too many health problems, especially related to your teeth and eyes. When covered under your parents’ health insurance, you didn’t have to think about it. But you’ve probably heard that after age 25, you need to get your own insurance. Still, you wonder, can you stay on your parents’ insurance after age 26? Here are a few things to know.

Know the “aging-up” rule

Most states require adults to get their own insurance by age 26. However, eight states allow young adults to apply to stay on their parent’s plan beyond age 26. These states are Florida, Illinois, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Dakota and Wisconsin (as of January 2025).

Identify your insurance needs

After your 25th birthday, start thinking about your insurance options to meet your health needs. You may feel that you’re in good health and only need to get medical insurance to cover unexpected health costs. However, health insurance alone is not enough. You also need to weigh the advantages of dental and vision insurance. If you ignore dental and vision needs now, health problems can develop that lead to expensive (and often invasive) care in the future.

Review insurance choices

There are many medical, dental and vision insurance options out there. If you’re employed, ask your employer about insurance benefits.

If you aren’t eligible at work for employer-sponsored benefits, you can get medical insurance through the ACA Health Insurance Marketplace. But to get the most value for dental and vision insurance, you’ll want to purchase an individual dental and vision plan from a reputable carrier, such as Ameritas.

Individual plans purchased online directly from an insurance company typically provide significant savings in the out-of-pocket costs you’d have to cover for dental and vision care.

• Dental insurance – The value of dental insurance is in the cost savings it provides. If you don’t have dental coverage, you’ll pay for dental care yourself. People with dental insurance tend to see their dentist more often, scheduling regular preventive checkups to ensure their teeth and gums are healthy. While checking your teeth, the dentist will look for symptoms of diseases and health concerns that could reveal an underlying medical condition.

Most individual dental plans cover a preventive exam, professional cleaning and bitewing X-rays each year. Insurance also pays a portion of the cost for fillings. More extensive procedures, such as a crown or root canal, may have a waiting period for coverage.

• Vision insurance – Vision benefits are an investment in your long-term health and wellness. You probably spend hours every day on digital screens, from smart TVs and smartphones to computers and gaming devices. Increased screen time can lead to digital eye strain, causing vision discomfort and pain. This constant demand puts more pressure on your vision, making it essential to have regular eye exams.
  An individual vision plan generally includes coverage for an annual exam and benefits to help pay for materials, such as eyeglasses or contacts.

People who have vision insurance tend to schedule regular eye exams. During these appointments, the eye doctor will look for changes in your vision to ensure your eyes are healthy and you can see well. The doctor also will check your eyes for signs of potential medical issues, such as diabetes, that could impact your overall health if left untreated.

Purchase insurance coverage

If you’re eligible for employer-sponsored insurance benefits, find out when you can get coverage before age 26. If your parents are covered through their job, you’ll probably need to have insurance by the end of the month that you turn 26.

If purchasing medical insurance through the ACA Health Insurance Marketplace, review the plan requirements. If your parents have insurance through the Marketplace, you can remain on their plan until the end of the year of your 26th birthday.

For dental and vision benefits, purchase a plan directly from a reliable insurance company that’s been in business for more than a century (like Ameritas.)

Although good health and good work have always gone hand-in-hand, the relationship is even more pronounced these days. As employees and employers navigate the lingering effects of the pandemic, ongoing economic shifts and a host of unfamiliar workforce challenges, it’s crucial to find solutions that deliver real value — and dental and vision benefits may be the answer.

Employees are stressed about rising costs, healthcare concerns, family worries and job layoffs. These worries increase workers’ distraction, exhaustion and lack of focus.

Many workers feel hopeless and depressed, concerned that they cannot find a solution to their problems. Since stress can impact employee performance and productivity, offering employees mental health benefits is essential. Research shows 92% of workers believe working for an organization that values their emotional and psychological well-being is important.

Review three tips for success with employee mental health benefits:

1. Personalize – Many employers think they know the problems and issues employees face. However, about 55% of workers say their company believes their workplace is more mentally healthy than it is.

Often, most employees have different mental health needs. So, offering only one or two mental well-being programs will not fit their needs. Before setting up mental health programs, discover employees’ concerns and problems. Set up informal coffee breaks to ask questions and listen to employees’ responses. Also, work with your broker and insurance carrier to design a short employee survey to gather information on the mental health benefits and programs they need and value most.

2. Prioritize – Many businesses are tightening budgets due to cost increases and economic uncertainties. Adding new benefits programs may be cost-prohibitive. Instead, review current benefits plans to identify options employees do not use. (Your broker and insurance carrier can help you with a benefits utilization review.) Since 67% of employees want their employer to provide mental health support, consider reallocating benefits budgets to offer the programs and resources workers value.

Some companies are adopting a lifestyle spending account with resources for employees to use as needed to fit personal needs, such as:

• workout equipment and memberships
• tuition reimbursement
• home office renovations
• digital apps for alternative mental health therapies
• financial and budgeting assistance

3. Educate – Providing the right mix of benefits is essential to finding and keeping talented workers. Be proactive in explaining mental health resources to employees. Invest in mental health benefits and rewards that employees want. And when designing these programs, include options for workers with children. Research shows that parents often worry about their kids’ emotional and mental well-being during the workday.

By providing access to resources that help employees’ kids with emotional and mental health needs can ease workers’ minds, so they can focus on their work.

When introducing new benefits and programs, guide employees through their choices. Point out the pros and cons of each option.

Also, provide monthly reminders of existing benefits workers can use to address health concerns. Many medical, dental and vision plans offer preventive screening options to help employees and their dependents maintain good health and detect unknown concerns before serious conditions arise.

Learn more about how the appearance of employees’ smiles can affect their mental health.

Offering mental health and well-being programs shows employees that their management team cares. When employees are satisfied at work, they tend to be more healthy, happy, engaged and productive.

Many U.S. workers have engaged in quiet quitting, where they show up for work but put in minimal effort. Sometimes it’s a way for employees to show their frustrations with management practices. Or it could be a move toward a healthier work-life balance. Either way, workers are anxious about their jobs after experiencing the pandemic. They have seen economic downsizing that puts many jobs at risk as some companies lay off workers in response to marketplace changes. They also have heard stories about the remaining employees who are left to do all of the work.

As a result, most employees are concerned about their financial futures. During the workday, they may spend time thinking about how to cover monthly costs if they lose their job. This kind of recurring stress can increase employee depression, affecting productivity and attitudes. Review three ways employers can help workers fight the blues by recognizing the importance of emotional well-being for employee engagement.

1. Communicate

When dealing with financial worries and issues that affect operations, business leaders typically discuss concerns and options with a small group of managers. However, information often leaks out, sparking rumors and leading to employee angst and dissatisfaction.

Business experts recommend being open with workers about economic concerns impacting the company. Share as many details as possible, encouraging employees to participate in discussions to change business operations, update products or enhance customer contacts to help the company succeed.

If layoffs are necessary, fully communicate information with employees who remain on staff. Explain the need for the layoffs, how many team members were let go and how business operations will be reorganized.

Research shows that when companies lay off employees, the remaining employees often feel stressed and are less productive. They feel anxious and guilty for being employed while co-workers lose their job. However, when business leaders are transparent and explain the business situation by answering employees’ questions, workers are more understanding, engaged and productive.

2. Appreciate

Nearly 81% of employees surveyed say they feel more burned out now than during the pandemic. About 66% of workers report feeling stressed all or most of the time at work.
Employers can support workers by showing appreciation for their contributions in caring for customers, focusing on their jobs to enhance productivity and sustaining business success.

Employers can keep employees engaged by recognizing worker burnout and fears and providing various well-being programs. Survey employees to understand their worries and concerns. Find out the types of programs and services they need. For example, since many workers worry about money, offer different programs to support financial well-being. Provide counselors to help workers:
• Set up a budget
• Manage and pay off bills (consider offering a benefit to help with student loans)
• Save for future expenses
• Prepare for retirement

3. Invest

Companies continually adjust business operations to remain competitive and handle economic and marketplace changes. When facing these situations, employers may reduce employee benefits or pass higher premium costs to workers. However, benefits provide security for employees, helping to keep them engaged, focused and satisfied at work.

Instead of cutting benefits, explore other plan options. Ask workers for feedback on current benefits and suggestions for new benefits and coverage features they want. Employees expect medical insurance and dental and vision coverage in their benefits packages. But they also want programs that support other well-being needs. For example, studies show that 67% of employees want employers to provide a wider range of mental health programs to address different needs. Workers may want voluntary coverage for other personal needs, such as pet insurance, identity theft protection or critical care assistance.

Review benefits utilization with your broker and insurance carriers. Check benefits with high usage to identify plan features that are rarely used and could be removed. Sometimes benefits with low usage could be offered as a voluntary coverage option. Redesign benefits packages to provide the coverage options employees value. Then tell employees how the updated benefits were designed to meet their needs better.

Most employees also value continual learning experiences. Offer a range of educational training programs to help employees develop new skills or prepare them for advancement to other positions. The training programs are essential when making layoffs or modifying business operations, which can cause employees to feel uncertain about their future with the company. Quality training experiences and management discussions on growth opportunities can reassure employees of their value to the company. Ask employees for feedback on training programs and then try to fulfill their requests. It’s a great way to re-engage workers and combat the trend of quiet quitting in the workplace.

It’s safe to say that most people worry about their finances, especially health care costs. No one wants to pay for unnecessary tests or procedures. But if they put off getting health care benefits and going to the doctor, unforeseen health problems can cost more in the long run. It’s less expensive to avoid problems with preventive care options. No one should have to wait until they’re in pain or really sick to seek care from a health professional. This includes medical, dental and vision needs for a better quality of life.

Employers can help employees stay healthy by encouraging them to take advantage of yearly preventive exams and services. Workers who keep on top of their health needs with preventive care are able to maintain and often improve their health and overall well-being. This translates to better attendance and higher work productivity. Review five reasons why preventive health screenings are essential.

1. Detects medical conditions early

Many health problems are preventable. One way to catch potential concerns early is with preventive screenings. Doctors can recommend screenings that best fit employees’ family histories and individual health needs.

Preventive care screenings make it easier for health professionals to detect subtle signs of emerging medical conditions. In fact, it’s the key to finding health problems early, which helps lower treatment costs and keeps employees healthier and happier. It’s one big reason why preventive care matters.

Access to regular screenings impacts a person’s ability to maintain their overall well-being. And employees with dependents appreciate having the benefits they need to take care of themselves and their families.

2. Lowers health risks

Preventive screenings put employees in charge of their health. When participating in recommended screening tests, doctors may find signs of unknown medical concerns. This holds true for medical, dental and vision exams.

Consider two examples: a cholesterol check evaluates good (HDL) and bad (LDL) cholesterol and triglyceride levels. If the LDL levels are too high, doctors will provide treatment options to the employees to help lower their bad cholesterol and improve HDL levels to improve their health.

Diabetes also is a disease affecting more and more people. Research shows that 37.3 million Americans, or 10%, have diabetes. About 20% don’t know they have it. However, during routine health visits, doctors can order bloodwork to check for diabetes. Then, if necessary, those doctors can help employees reduce the impact of the disease.

In these examples, the choices for care could include eating more nutritious meals, participating in structured exercise for 30 minutes each day, or taking medications designed to lower bad cholesterol.

Did you know diabetes can be detected during a regular eye exam? Sometimes blurry vision is one of the first symptoms.

3. Extends lives

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that preventive care screenings can save lives. Over 100,000 lives could be saved each year if people took advantage of screenings, such as tests identifying chronic diseases and colorectal cancer.

About 70% of people die each year from chronic disease and illness. A stunning 90% of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer could live at least five more years if caught before it spreads.

4. Saves money

Most employees worry about finances, especially with inflation impacting their budgets. As a result, they may try to limit health care expenses. That’s why preventive screenings are essential. Getting yearly health screenings not only helps employees and their family members maintain good health, but it also can save them money. Most insurance plans promote preventive care and cover preventive screenings at no or low cost.

Employees also can benefit from dental and vision screenings. Some people have plans through their employer. But, if not, they can purchase individual dental or vision insurance. Most individual plans offer same-day coverage, especially for preventive screenings, such as professional teeth cleanings and eye exams. Learn how Ameritas’ individual dental and vision plans can help employees save money while caring for their teeth and eyes.

5. Boosts productivity

Preventive screenings also can help enhance employee productivity. Each year, workers miss thousands of hours of work due to illness. Often, they need time off to deal with health problems, such as toothaches, migraines or high blood pressure. These health issues easily could be identified during a preventive health care screening and treated.

Most preventive screenings and exams require minimal time to complete. It’s usually easy for employees to schedule these types of tests around work hours. By planning appointments and proactively taking care of their health, employees will spend less time at the doctor’s office. That means employers will have employees who feel better and are more focused at work.

There’s nothing more critical than managing your health. The best way to do that is to take steps to shield yourself from serious medical issues before they happen — also known as practicing preventive care. Getting annual checkups can help spot health concerns before it’s too late to treat them. That’s why you should never put off preventive health appointments; early detection of any disease really could save your life.

Keep reading to learn more about what preventive care entails and why it’s important to your overall health and well-being.

What is preventive care and why is it important?

Preventive care is health care you get before the fact, rather than when something is wrong. It helps let you know if you have any underlying health issues that need to be addressed. Annual physicals, screenings and shots are all considered preventive care.

Preventive care is important because it lowers the chances of disease or worse. There are a number of health problems that wouldn’t be obvious without a preventive exam, such as high blood pressure or heart disease. Letting this go undetected for too long could cause further harm to you.

Even if you feel fine, it’s important to get regular exams just to ensure that what’s going on inside of you matches how you feel on the outside.

The impact of preventive care on your health and wallet

Your health is the primary reason that preventive care is so important. No amount of money matters that much if your health is in jeopardy. However, it’s worth noting that being proactive about your health could help you save money in the long run.

How can preventive care save me money?

Let’s face it; medical treatments can cost a lot of money, even with health insurance. But they can be a lot cheaper if you’re not managing a disease — something that a preventive exam would catch. The sooner an ailment is caught, the sooner it can be treated or possibly cured. If you let it go too long, it will only be that much more expensive to treat over time.

Also, most health insurance providers will cover your preventive health services under the government’s Affordable Care Act (ACA). Staying ahead of the game in regard to your health could reduce costs when it comes to co-pays, deductibles and other out-of-pocket expenses. In fact, patients that had an annual preventive visit saw a 5.7 percent decrease in their total health care costs during the following 11 months, according to the American Journal of Managed Care.

Preventative care services provided by healthcare practitioners

So, you know what preventative care is and why you should practice it. Let’s take a look at what’s considered preventive care in terms of coverage, because more services fall under this category than you might think.

What preventive care services does health insurance cover?

Here’s a list of services you can get that fall under preventive care:

• Annual check-up/physical: Your primary physician will examine all areas of your health to find any concerns before they become major issues.
• Flu shots and other vaccines: Many health plans cover these shots 100 percent. They’re meant to protect you from certain types of the flu every year.
• Cancer screenings: Mammograms, or breast tissue x-rays to check for breast cancer or other issues, are often conducted every year after the age of 40. Colonoscopies, or screenings for colon cancer, are done once every 10 years after the age of 50.
• Health-related counseling: Topics such as quitting smoking, weight loss, healthy eating and depression treatment are all considered preventive care.
• Children’s well-being: Regular well-baby and well-child visits are part of preventive care. Counseling, vaccines and screening to ensure healthy pregnancies are as well.
• Screenings: Blood pressure, cholesterol and type 2 diabetes are some of the more common health issues that you can get a screening for through preventive care.

How much does preventive care cost?

Your healthcare plan pays for preventive health services. While you may not be charged a deductible or copay at the time, these services are not technically free. Instead, your insurer will look at how much the preventive care services cost in a given year and keep that in mind when setting its premium rates the next year.

In other words, you’re not paying charges when you actually get your preventive care, the cost shows up in the price of your health insurance, which can change.

Who determines which preventive care benefits are covered?

Any preventive care service that health plans are required to carry must meet the following criteria, according to VeryWellHealth:

• The service must have an “A” or “B” rating in the current U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendations.
• The services must be provided for in guidelines that the Health Resources and Services Administration supports.
• The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) must recommend it.

Services that meet at least one of these three criteria can be part of the list of covered preventive care.

Start thinking about preventive care screenings now

It’s never too early to start acting when it comes to your health. You can begin by scheduling a preventive exam with your physician — you’re covered for one exam every year. This exam will help determine if you have any underlying health issues that need to be treated before they become more serious. Your physician may also recommend a particular cancer screening during these sessions.

You can also take preventive care action in between your annual screenings. Maintain healthy eating habits and try to exercise regularly if possible. Make sure to chat with your physician before starting a health plan or make any changes to your diet or physical activity routine.

Final takeaway

While none of us can guarantee a healthy life, there are things we can do to make one more possible. It starts with being proactive with our health. Get checked regularly; don’t wait until you’re not feeling well to see your physician. The sooner you can address a medical issue, the sooner it can be treated and allow you to lead a happier, healthier life.

Ameritas offers insurance, financial services and employee benefits and we help 5.3 million customers improve their lives with our financial strategies and products. Contact us to learn more.

For years, working from home was a perk in high demand with employees. Now it’s the norm for about 42% of employees. People enjoy the freedom of working from a remote office. But spending eight or more hours with limited contact with people can affect mental health. Here are four tips to be healthy when working from home.

1. Create a work routine

In the morning, it may be tempting to put off getting started on work projects. There are plenty of hours during the day to get everything done. But then your boss assigns a special project due later in the day. And several co-workers call with customer problems. Then things get stacked up. Several hours later, you finally get to work on your task list.

Business experts offer this health tip: Set a time for the start and end of each work day to avoid stress and burn out. It’s much easier to handle the stress of unexpected interruptions if you have a work routine. Make sure to include time for a few breaks, so you can stretch, get coffee and snacks, and eat lunch.

2. Expect some distractions

After working for years in a regular office, it may take time to get used to being on your own. You’ll have to adjust to changes in your schedule, team relationships, communications, meeting styles and customer connections. One important tip is to find a quiet place to work.

There will be many distractions during the work day. You’ll hear neighbors mowing their lawns, delivery people ringing the doorbell, or workers remodeling the house next door. You may decide to turn the TV on low to block out these distractions. But then your eyes naturally are drawn to the TV screen, and you may end up watching TV more than working. If you need some background noise, music may be a better choice.

All these distractions can be frustrating. A good tip to remember is to be patient as you adjust to the new normal of remote work. And remember to rest your eyes. It’s about maintaining both your emotional and physical health. Stick to your work routine as well, so you don’t need to make up time and work late.

3. Make time for self-care

When working in a company office, you saw people every day. There was a steady stream of co-workers walking by your desk and stopping by to chat. But at home, you work in isolation, with a few calls during the day. It’s easy to get depressed or lonely. A good tip to remember is to make time for fun events. Schedule time to take a walk, go for a bike ride or workout. Call a friend or family member to say hello. Or, adopt a relaxing hobby, like gardening, journaling, reading or cooking. These activities can help clear your mind and improve your attitude. Plus, you may meet new people, which can brighten your day. You’ll be happier and healthier.

4. Stay connected with others

When working from home, stay healthy by keeping connected with co-workers and friends. Here are some helpful tips. Set time each week for phone calls and video chats with team members. Catch up on the latest news, share worries and fears, or discuss frustrations with the new normal. Also, schedule social events each month. Connect with family and friends in person for dinner or by hosting a virtual cocktail hour. Make sure to keep everyone’s health and social distancing needs in mind. Your friends and family will help you cope with life’s changes, and regular contact with them will keep you happier.

Business customers also are struggling to adjust to the new normal. Learn how to provide better customer experiences to maintain long-term relationships.

Americans are stressed over finances. Nearly 50 percent live paycheck to paycheck. Many find it difficult to balance health care expenses with the costs of basic necessities like food, housing, and utilities. Studies show that financial concerns can impact employees’ health, job performance and work relationships. Here’s how employers can help employees cope with financial stress and medical expenses.

Recognize financial concerns

Americans pay over 3.4 trillion in medical costs annually, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That’s about $10,000 per individual. By 2023, the cost is projected to increase to $15,000 for each person.

“Many people are not confident they can afford health care costs that their insurance plan doesn’t cover,” reports Tracy Watts, senior partner and U.S. leader for health care reform for Mercer, a global leader in the health and benefits marketplace.

Recently Watts was interviewed for an Ameritas podcast series about how employers can help employees cope with financial worries. Watts shared information gathered in a University of Chicago study with 1,300 people on the impact of health care expenses on their daily lives. Researchers found that

• 30 percent had difficulty paying for daily needs due to health care costs.
• 36 percent used all or most of their savings to cover medical expenses.
• 33 percent borrowed or increased their credit card debt to pay medical bills.
• 41 percent lowered their contributions to savings to make health care payments.

Invest in financial well-being programs

One way employers can help ease employees’ financial concerns is by providing meaningful health care benefits and well-being programs. Offering good health care insurance coverage, along with voluntary benefits like dental and vision plans, really does matter.

Improve employee health

Employees who are healthy and not consumed with financial worries about health care costs are happier and better able to focus on their work. “A recent Gallup study found that thriving employees are less costly and more productive,” Watts said. When employers assist employees in dealing with money concerns, workers have improved financial well-being.

“The benefit to employers is significant,” Watts explained. Gallup found that when businesses provided support for financial well-being, their employees had

• 41 percent lower health care costs
• 31 percent lower turnover
• 31 percent increased productivity

Encourage employees to use their benefits

Discussing benefits once at open enrollment is not enough. Watts encourages employers to talk to employees about their health benefits and well-being opportunities throughout the year. She also suggests programs and preventive actions that employers should include in their communications to help employees lower health care expenses.

Get a list of those programs and find out more when you listen to the podcast discussion.

Most American adults spend more than 11 hours on digital devices every day, research shows. People use digital devices for work or school assignments, but they also spend hours on gaming activities each day. Gaming companies design exciting games that people love to play. Now, health care professionals are getting involved in gamification. Learn how dentists and eye doctors use games to engage with customers.

For dental care

Many dentists use fun and educational games to engage current patients and get new referrals. As patients play the games, they earn rewards, points and badges for more games or dental products. Users learn more about the dental practice and tips for better oral care in the process.

Game results give dentists information about their patient’s understanding of their oral health and dental procedures.

Experts predict that at least 20% of dentists will participate in gamification strategies in the next few years. By using games, dentists can educate patients about their office and dental team members. Plus, they can make it fun to learn about maintaining a healthy smile.

Many employers today offer dental insurance benefits. People with dental insurance are more likely to schedule yearly dental appointments for a professional cleaning, oral exam and bitewing X-rays. Employees who don’t qualify for company benefits can purchase individual dental coverage online from a reputable dental carrier.

For eye care

Today, people are spending around 11 hours daily on digital devices, impacting the health of their eyes. Frequently, users complain about eye strain, dry eye and vision changes.

Eye doctors are using gamification to combat vision problems and help heal patients’ eyes. The games help improve users’ horizontal and vertical eye movements by strengthening their eye muscles. Doctors can review game results to evaluate patients’ progress, eye fatigue and additional needs.

One smartphone vision app features games to test the visual acuity of people with chronic eye diseases, such as:

• age-related macular degeneration
• diabetic macular edema
• diabetic retinopathy

Other games are designed to help improve:

• binocular vision disorders
• lazy eye or squint eye

While patients enjoy the vision games, they may not realize how the activities can monitor or treat their vision conditions. But eye doctors are noticing remarkable improvements in their patients’ vision.

Regular eye exams are essential to ensuring healthy eyes. Vision insurance helps people maintain good vision since they tend to use their coverage. Some people have access to employer-sponsored vision benefits. Or, they can get individual vision insurance.