5 Ways to Make the Most of Your Healthcare Benefits Before the New Year
With the year winding down, many people are thinking about their health goals for next year. However, there’s no reason to wait until January. If your health insurance plan restarts on January 1, it’s a good idea to make the most of your existing benefits now.
Understanding Your Healthcare Deductible
Your deductible is the amount you typically pay for covered healthcare services before your insurance plan starts sharing certain costs.
Many plans reset on January 1. This means that if you’ve already met your deductible, your insurance might pay for a larger amount of expenses before the year ends.
Take some time to review your deductible, copays, coinsurance and out-of-pocket maximum to better understand your coverage and plan ahead.
Here are five ways to prioritize your health and take advantage of your benefits.
1. Schedule Your Annual Wellness Visit
Your annual wellness visit is an opportunity to check in with your primary care team, chat about any health concerns, and make sure you're staying on track with preventive care.
Your provider may review your medical history, medications, and any recommended screenings and vaccinations.
If you haven't had your wellness visit this year, get one on the calendar before your schedule gets too full with holiday activities.
2. Catch Up on Screenings
Preventive screenings help identify health conditions early, often before symptoms even start.
Recommended screenings vary based on your age, medical history, and risk factors. These could include:
- Mammograms to screen for breast cancer
- Colonoscopies or other colorectal cancer screening tests
- Low-dose CT scans for lung cancer screening
- Blood pressure, cholesterol, or diabetes screenings
Beebe Healthcare offers many preventive screenings and diagnostic services. To find out which screenings are right for you, talk with your healthcare team.
3. Address Concerns You've Been Putting Off
It's easy to procrastinate on getting an issue checked out, especially if symptoms are mild. However, any ongoing pain or issues shouldn’t be ignored.
Instead of holding off until the new year, schedule an appointment with your primary care physician now to discuss your concerns. They will review your symptoms, recommend testing, and refer you to a specialist if needed.
This will prevent minor issues from getting more serious and give you peace of mind before kicking off the new year.
4. Follow Up on Procedures or Specialist Visits
If you've already met your deductible, now could be a good time to book procedures or follow-up care you may need. These could include:
- Joint replacement surgery, such as hip or knee replacement
- Hernia or gallbladder surgery
- Diagnostic imaging, such as MRIs or CT scans
- Physical therapy or rehabilitation services
- Specialist consultations or follow-up testing
Depending on your insurance coverage, completing these services before your deductible resets could help reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
A referral or prior authorization is sometimes required for these procedures, so check with your insurance provider before scheduling.
5. Get a Head Start on Your Health Goals
There is no need to wait for that “new year, new me” mindset to start making positive changes to your health.
Whether it’s weight management, managing a chronic condition, or mental health support, your healthcare provider can point you to the right resources and develop a personalized approach.
This might look like nutritional counseling, physical therapy, or behavioral health services.
By taking the first step now, you’ll be more motivated to hit the ground running once the new year kicks off.
Beebe is Here for Your Healthcare Needs
If you don’t know where to start, your primary care clinician can help. Beebe Healthcare has primary care locations throughout Sussex County, making it simple to get the care you need, close to home.
Need a primary care provider? Check out Beebe’s Find a Doctor database or call the Patient Access and Referral Center (PARC) at 302-645-3332.
