Tennova Healthcare Encourages Consumers to Make the Most of Their Health Insurance
10/9/2018
Schedule necessary appointments, tests and surgeries to maximize your health plan benefits before year end
During the fall and as the holidays approach, it’s easy to forget to take advantage of your insurance benefits. Tennova Healthcare is urging individuals to direct their attention to outstanding healthcare needs and take full advantage of paid-up deductibles or available funds in flexible spending accounts (FSAs) by scheduling necessary appointments, recommended testing and surgeries.
“In considering their healthcare needs, people should also consider the best strategy for using their available health insurance plan benefits,” said Jason Collins, M.D., a family medicine physician with Tennova Healthcare. “Take advantage of unused benefits to complete outstanding treatments and recommended tests or procedures before the year ends.”
Most health insurance plans have a deductible requirement—a predetermined amount of healthcare expense that must be covered before the plan begins paying the majority of (if not all) remaining expenses. Dr. Collins says it’s crucial to know how close you are to meeting your deductible, or if you’ve already met it. Once you reach that threshold, you have a limited window of opportunity to obtain healthcare services and have the bulk of that expense covered by your plan. “Remember, a new year brings a new deductible,” he said.
The close of 2018 also affects individuals who have FSAs, which are pre-tax dollars set aside primarily for medical expenses. The Internal Revenue Service requires those funds to be spent—or forfeited—by December 31. It’s a “use it or lose it” proposition.
“If you have been putting off scheduling care—such as an annual check-up, allergy testing, a colonoscopy, or even knee replacement surgery—it would be wise to check your deductible status and your FSA balance to see if there is money to be saved,” Dr. Collins said.
According to Dr. Collins, it is important to schedule services promptly so there is enough time to have the test or elective procedure done before the end of the year. Getting everything squared-away by early December will help ensure the services you receive are considered part of your 2018 coverage.
Every health plan is different. It is important to know how your plan works so you can get the most from your benefits.
For more information or to find a doctor, call 1-855-TENNOVA (836-6682).
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