Have health insurance but not sure how to make full use of it?
If you’re of the mind that health insurance is a total waste of money, let me stop you right there.
The issue here is that we think health insurance is something that we have to constantly pay a premium for but will not “make use” of until or unless we fall ill, get hospitalized or suffer a critical illness of sorts.
I’m here to tell you that this is simply not true!
Health insurance isn’t just for the big stuff. There are ways for you to maximize your health insurance plan without being ill or injured.
But is it possible to do this the legal, ethical way?
DEFINITELY!
In fact, if you have a good health insurance plan in hand, you can maximize your health insurance plan in the following ways:
1. Get your annual physical done
An annual physical is your once-a-year check-up with your primary care provider. It can only be billed as an annual physical if you do NOT have any complaints during the visit, so be mindful of the nature of the visits.
Most plans cover preventive care visits, such as your annual physical. Some plans will take it a step further and offer incentives for this. Whatever your plan offers, take advantage of this.
How your doctor bills your visit is very important because that is how your insurance will pay out your benefits for the service.
Make sure you review your health insurance policy to understand the coverage and take advantage of ways you can maximize it!
2. Use tele-visits in lieu of in-person visits
The popularity of tele-medicine has spiked in 2020 and has continued to trend upwards.
According to a study by Deloitte, insurers need to find ways to balance technology adoption with maintaining the human touch.
I mean, just take a look at this survey finding from McKinsey & Company!
Revisit your health insurance plan for any tele-health related updates for your annual physical. Instead of spending an entire day in the waiting room of your doctor’s office, pull up a tele-health app on your phone and get connected to a board-certified medical provider within minutes.
If you’re too busy to get your health checked up by traveling all the way to the doctor’s office and waiting in line, then consider a tele-visit.
Here’s a list of popular tele-health apps to consider:
- MDLIVE
- TELADOC
- Doctor On Demand
After a brief conversation, you will have a diagnosis, a treatment plan and medicine waiting for you at the nearest pharmacy. And you haven’t yet left your couch or office, how convenient! Oftentimes, these visits are much more cost-effective as well.
3. Use your supplemental coverage
Does your health insurance have supplemental coverage? These are typically built into your policy, as a very low cost addition, but are often underutilized.
Some examples of supplemental coverage are:
- Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D)
- Accident and injury coverage
- Short term disability
- Vision
- Dental
Check out this article where I talk all about AD&D and how you can take advantage: https://www.business.com/articles/accidental-death-dismemberment-insurance/
Not all health insurance plans have add-ons such as vision or dental coverages. If you do, make an appointment with your doctor (one that accepts your insurance, and is IN NETWORK), and get yourself checked.
In-network directories can be provided on request, but most directories are now online.
Still unsure if your current plan allows you to maximize your health insurance and reduce medical spending? Book a 15-minute consultation with me and I’ll help you assess it!
