As a parent, you understand the importance of expecting the unexpected. Whether it’s storing an emergency box of cake mix for your child’s 9PM announcement that their soccer camp is having a bake sale tomorrow, or keeping a spare granola bar in your purse for ill-timed hunger, you’re prepared. And preparation starts by thinking ahead, predicting what you may need well before you need it. That’s why July is a great time to check through your health coverage. Evaluating how you’re using your plan helps you save money, make the most of the coverage you have now and decide what should change for next year.
Have you used all your plan’s benefits?
July is a logical time to consider how you’ve used your benefits, since there’s time to schedule preventive care before the year’s end. Has everyone in the family seen the doctor this year (and are they still in network and covered by your plan)? Does anyone need a flu shot, or screenings for preventable illness? Are your kids up to date with their well-child visits and vaccinations? If not, now is a great time to set up an appointment to get caught up. Preventive care doesn’t just keep you healthy, it saves you money by catching issues while they’re small, and with a MyPriority plan preventive care is covered at $0.
Another thing to consider is whether your plan offers benefits you might not have been aware of or haven’t used. Many plans offer wellness benefits like discounted gym memberships and health support apps, so it’s worth considering whether someone in your family could benefit from them. If someone in the family has a chronic condition, make sure you’re taking advantage of everything the plan offers to support it, like testing strips for diabetics or blood pressure monitoring for hypertension. And if a busy schedule has kept you from getting care, check to see if virtual visits are an option – many plans offer virtual visits or virtual urgent care for the same cost or lower than an in-person evaluation.
Is your plan working for you?
If you’re aware of all your plan options and enrolled in the services you need, have scheduled all your family’s visits and checked off all the preventive screenings you need… you deserve a trophy. No wonder you’re the type to keep an extra sweater in the car for when “it’s not even that cold out” turns into “hey, can I borrow your jacket?” But you still could benefit from a mid-year check of your deductible (the amount you must spend before the plan starts paying). If you haven’t met it yet, you may want to consider why. Is your family healthy and generally not using care, or is it that the deductible is too high for your needs? Plans with low premiums (the amount you pay for the plan itself) often come with high deductibles. Knowing which group you fall into helps you balance costs and make an informed decision when Open Enrollment begins in the autumn.
“Plenty of time” turns into “it’s in HOW many days?” in a flash
And while November may seem like it’s ages away, all parents know that the end of summer comes in the blink of an eye. Keeping a few things in mind to prepare for Open Enrollment makes choosing your plan much easier when it arrives.
Think about how your costs are balanced: do you prefer paying more for the plan itself in exchange for a smaller bill when you see the doctor? Or do you mostly use your coverage for emergencies and prefer a smaller plan cost in exchange for higher visits at the time of service? Who in the family has a chronic condition that needs ongoing care or daily medication? Does your plan have a network of providers that includes the doctors you prefer to see, or virtual care options if transportation is difficult? Balancing care and cost options will be different for each family, so take the time to think about your family’s preferences. Considering these factors now (before the pressure of a looming deadline to enroll) keeps you from rushing into a decision with unexpected consequences.
Considering how you use the plan you have, how you can make the most of it and what you’d change about it keeps you confident you’re making the right decisions for your family. And the earlier you evaluate it, the better prepared you are for future decisions. Which is good. Because your kids have enough last-minute surprises around the corner for you, and those bake sale cupcakes won’t frost themselves.
Is it time to find a plan now?
Are your last-minute cupcakes for a baby shower, not a soccer camp? A new family member or a job change may mean you’re eligible to find a plan outside of Open Enrollment, and a Priority Health plan expert is ready to help find the coverage that works for you. Get a quote online, or call 833.532.0306 to talk to a health plan expert today.
