Benefits related to health and wellness top the list. A strong core starts at the top and includes dental and vision alongside medical and pharmacy plans.

There are two reasons why dental and vision benefits sit in the core. Most employees and insured family members will use the benefits during a given year, for routine examinations as well as any necessary follow-ups. While on the surface these routine examinations are designed to diagnose and prescribe treatment for any problems, the value also includes the relationship between the health and wellness of insured members and their oral and visual health.

Dental checkups are commonly scheduled every six months, while physical exams with the doctor may not even be conducted once a year. A year ago, my doctor said it was nice of me for to show up every two or three years for my annual exam. I don't think I'm atypical. During those biannual dental exams, significant health issues can be detected, including oral cancers and diabetes, as well as less common conditions. Similarly, vision exams can diagnose eye tumors, diabetic retinopathy and other significant medical issues.

The high utilization of dental and vision products has another benefit based on behavioral economics. The cognitive bias, hyperbolic discounting, is when people choose smaller, immediate rewards over larger, later rewards. Employees love benefits they're confident will help them in the current year. Owning benefits they know they will use encourages employees to pay attention during enrollment and allows us the opportunity to present extended benefits during that enrollment.

We know that a strong core of benefits has medical, retirement, life and income protection. But dental and vision products fit into the core because they encourage and incent regular checkups and can help in early detection of serious diseases. And every insured—employee, spouse and children—will benefit.

What happens when you build up your core? On the personal side, my back feels great. On the benefits side, employers can be sure employees have access to the most important and popular items. Then employees can consider their own personal needs to build around the core, through other voluntary benefits made available through their employer.

Want to build your core? Check out these great reads:

• Dental and vision trends focus on preventive health
• Diabetes and workplace health: the role of dental and vision coverage
• 4 reasons employer-sponsored health insurance won't go away