The end of the year is coming up quickly, and your to-do list might be 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 preventative health care into your hands, and make appointments for those bigger procedures, too. Depending on your unique health needs, there are four specific types of procedures you can check off your list before New Year’s Eve.
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 of your health and medical expenses until you reach that $2,000 mark. When you hit that mark, you’ve met your deductible. Your health insurance provider will 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.
The 4 Types of Important Appointments to Schedule Before Year-End
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, and many treatments, like elective surgeries, become much more affordable. If you’ve been putting off one of these procedures, now is the perfect time to schedule it.
- Anti-reflux surgery
- Back surgery
- Gallbladder surgery
- Hernia surgery
- Joint replacement surgery, like for hips or knees
- Ophthalmology or eye surgery
- Thyroid 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
- Orthobiologic injections, like platelet-rich plasma (PRP), that promote healing
- Physical therapy
Screenings
Screenings are an important part of preventing 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
Where to Get Care You Can Count on, All Year Long
Check one or more of these procedures off your list at AdventHealth. We have the comprehensive programs, convenient services and compassionate health care expertise to handle each of these procedures for you and many more.
We’re here to help heal what hurts and help you feel whole — 365 days a year. Our facilities and variety of services are always available to you, and our compassionate health care teams want to help you feel healthy at every age and stage of life.
Take health into your hands today. To check one or more of these procedures off your to-do list, request an appointment.
