The year 2018 may only have a few weeks left, but there is still time to maximize your health benefits for the year. While you enjoy the holiday season and get ready for the new year, let’s take a look at two important ways in which you can make the most of your 2018 health benefits:
Maximize Your Deductible for 2018
Many insurance companies and policies require you to pay a deductible out of your pocket before the insurance company begins to cover part or all of the cost for medical expenses. The amount of your deductible depends on the insurance company and the specific policy you have.
For example, your insurance company may require you to pay $1,000 out-of-pocket for medical care before it starts covering the cost for the remainder of the year. Now, think back to the number of times you went to see a doctor in 2018. If you total up the deductibles you have paid throughout 2018, you are likely very close to the required $1,000 deductible – or you may have even gone past it.
This means that for the rest of 2018, your insurance company will cover a part or all of the cost of medical appointments and treatments you need.
Therefore, this is a great opportunity to see your doctors and get treatment for health issues that you may not have given much thought to. For example, do you have a pesky knee pain that won’t go away? Maybe you have pain in your ankle when you run, or you’ve been experiencing a creeping pain in your wrist or shoulder while at work?
This is the time to get issues like these checked out so you can make the most of your 2018 deductible. Why shouldn’t you wait until 2019? Because starting January 1, 2019, you have to start paying the deductible over again for the new year. Your 2018 deductible benefits are only good until December 31, 2018.
Call your insurance company to see how much of your 2018 deductible you’ve paid, and schedule any necessary doctor’s appointments to make the most of your 2018 finances.
Maximize Your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for 2018
If a yearly deductible doesn’t apply to you, you may be able to make the most of your FSA benefits. A lot of people have flexible spending accounts that you use throughout the year to pay for health care expenses.
These funds are distributed at the beginning of the year and expire at the end of it. If you have any money left to use in your FSA account, it will disappear on January 1, 2019. Check your FSA balance – and if you have any money left in the account, make the most of it by seeing a doctor.
Not spending all of your FSA money is like throwing money down the drain. If you aren’t sick, take this opportunity to get a medical issue checked out that you may not consider being an emergency, but is still causing unwanted symptoms.
Maryland Orthopedic Surgeons
Focusing on your health is a great way to end the year and begin the new one. Maximize your 2018 deductible or FSA funds before the year ends. This way, you can start 2019 with a better and healthier you.
With only a few weeks left in the year, the time to act is now.
If you want to maximize your health in 2018 by getting an orthopedic issue examined and treated, now is the time to see an expert at the Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland. Our physicians have a wealth of experience treating all kinds of musculoskeletal issues, from bone and joint problems to sore muscles, tendons, or ligaments.
Call us today at (410) 644-1880 to make an appointment, or fill out our online appointment request form now. We look forward to helping you get rid of those aches and pains so you can enjoy 2019 and beyond!
