The end of the year is approaching fast, and your to-do list is likely growing longer by the day. Don't limit your list to holiday preparations, though. Your body deserves some well-deserved attention, too.
If you've met your health care deductible, every day between today and December 31 is your chance for some last-minute, significantly less-expensive self-care. Think screenings, scans, elective surgeries and more that you've been putting off.
Now is the perfect time to take preventive health care into your hands. You can make appointments for those bigger procedures, too. There are four specific types of procedures you can check off your list before the New Year depending on your health care needs.
What Is a Health Care Deductible?
Your health care deductible is the amount of money you pay out of pocket for medical expenses before your insurance kicks in and your insurance provider pays for your procedures.
For example, if you have a $2,000 health care deductible, you’re responsible for paying for all your health and medical expenses until you reach that $2,000 mark. When you hit the mark, whatever it is, you’ve met your deductible. Your health insurance provider can now begin paying for a large portion of your health care costs.
By taking advantage of your after-deductible health insurance coverage, you can gain the most financial benefit while heading into the new year feeling on top of your whole health.
How Do I Know If I’ve Met My Deductible?
Your health insurance company website will likely allow you to log in and view your deductible status. Check the back of your insurance card for a customer service number and call to confirm your deductible status. If you are enrolled in Medicare, visit mymedicare.gov and click on my deductible status from the claims menu.
4 Important Appointment Types to Schedule Before the End of the Year
By this point in the year, you’ve likely met your health insurance deductible and out-of-pocket maximum (the highest amount you’ll have to pay). Before December 31, consider scheduling these four types of procedures — your body, and your wallet, might thank you.
Elective Surgeries
Once you’ve met your health care deductible for the year, your health insurance provider helps pay for procedures. Many treatments, like elective surgeries, become much more affordable for you and any family members and dependents on your insurance plan.
If you’ve been putting off one of these surgical procedures for you or an eligible loved one, now is the perfect time to schedule it.
- Anti-reflux surgery
- Back surgery
- Cleft lip repair
- Cosmetic surgery
- Ear tube surgery
- Eye surgery for cataracts and strabismus
- Gallbladder surgery
- Hernia repair
- Joint replacement surgery, like for hips or knees
- Ophthalmology or eye surgery
- Thyroid surgery
- Tonsillectomy
- Sports injury surgery
- Ulcer surgery
Other Elective Procedures and Appointments
With your deductible met, you can take advantage of health care appointments and elective procedures that may not have been high priority or top-of-mind for you earlier in the year. Because you deserve to feel healthy and well, consider scheduling:
- Acupuncture treatment
- Corticosteroid injections
- Diagnostic imaging
- Massage therapy
- Orthobiologic injections, like platelet-rich plasma (PRP), that promote healing
- Physical therapy
Screenings
Screenings are important to help detect a variety of illnesses, including different cancers. Depending on your age and existing health conditions, ask your doctor if you should schedule one of these screenings:
- Calcium-score (heart) screening
- Colonoscopy
- Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan
- Endoscopy
- Lung cancer screening
- Prostate screening
Women’s Care Procedures
Now’s the perfect time to schedule your annual mammogram and make an appointment for a pap smear, too, if you haven’t had one recently. If you’ve met your deductible, take advantage of other women’s health procedures that may be significantly less expensive, like:
- Hysterectomy
- Urogynecologic procedures, including for pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence
Get Care You Can Count on, All Year Long
At AdventHealth, we’re here to help heal what hurts so you can feel whole — 365 days a year, 24/7. We have the comprehensive programs, convenient services and compassionate health care experts to handle these procedures for you and more.
To check off one or more of these procedures from your to-do list, request an appointment today. You deserve to feel whole.
