As 2012 comes to a close, there are plenty of tasks on our plates before the year’s end. However, there is one priority that usually escapes our to-do lists: taking advantage of your health benefits before they expire!
Health plans increasingly have design features that are tied to a 12-month cycle, including annual deductibles, free yearly preventive checkups and flexible-spending accounts. Those who don’t pay attention to the calendar risk wasting fully covered benefits and paying more than they have to for medical procedures and delayed until next year.
So with the end of the year approaching, it’s a good idea to make sure you’re getting the most out of your health insurance. Here are some tips:
– It’s easy to forget that certain preventative procedures, such as annual physicals, are usually covered in even the most basic of plans. Check your plan today and schedule tomorrow!
– If you’re near the end of your deductible, or close to meeting your out-of-pocket maximum, it might be a good time to schedule expensive medical care you’ve put off.
– Look at any capped benefits, such as coverage under a dental plan. You may want to schedule part of a procedure for December and the rest in January to take advantage of two years’ payouts.
– If you have a flexible-spending account, use the contents by the end of the year or lose them. Some plans have a “grace period” until March 15th.
– Start planning for 2013. If your family needs a number of pricey procedures, you might want to do a big one early in the year and max out your deductible. That way, subsequent procedures are covered by your insurer at a more generous level.
Taking advantage of your health benefits now could save you a bundle next year! Don’t wait, set up the exams and procedures you’ve been putting off and start 2013 off healthier and happier. Remember, taking care of your self is the number one priority!