Open Enrollment

Ok so most people realize that Open Enrollment happens most often in the fall (with a few exceptions). It is the once a year chance to review the benefits you have through your employer (or Medicare). Most people ignore the massive packet they receive from their Benefits Department because it's overwhelming! Who has time to read this stuff.

The problem is that there is lots of info and only one packet to put it in. On one hand it is easier to do this all at one time. On the other hand, who can remember or retain it all?

The answer to the problem is not the obvious one. Yes, you should set aside some time to read your Open Enrollment packet. Most people spend less than 30 minutes and that is probably not enough time to get through all the info.

But the more important and easier way to do it is to pay attention all year round. Make it a game if you need to. Just like there are people who shop at pricey stores and never clip a coupon, there are many who do the work and take the time to find everything they buy on sale or they don't buy it. The same goes for your benefits. Read the emails, newsletters and posters your HR department puts out. Sign up for a health care related newsletter. Get your benefits news on a regular basis in small bites.

Why would anyone pay a higher price for healthcare than they need to? Most people don't realize that it's the lazy factor. They just don't make the time or it isn't high enough on their to do list. Just like with grocery shopping, the consequence is that you pay more at the register. Do your homework all year round and you'll be surprised at the little ways you can lower your healthcare costs.

If you need help doing the homework, let us know. We're here to help!

An Ounce of Prevention Is Worth a Pound of Cure

In the old days, doctors wanted you to come to their office for a full physical once a year. These physicals were never covered by health insurance because the person wasn't actually "sick". So people paid full price for the visit.

Now, doctors and health insurers have learned physicals are not necessary for everyone every year. Generally the older you are the more likely you are to need one. Many health insurers now cover preventive care at 100% (free to the patient). They do this because it is cheaper to pay for a physical where an illness might be detected and treated in its early stages. If you try to treat an illness when it as advanced, more technology, tests and treatments are needed so the cost goes up and up.

A great example of this is heart disease. During a routine physical, your doctor will take your blood pressure. The doctor will likely recommend changing your diet and increasing exercise as a way to lower your blood pressure. But, if you need blood pressure lowering medicine, the doctor might give you a prescription to take. The cost you pay for the medicine each month is far cheaper than ignoring the high blood pressure until years later when you have a heart attack or stroke. The cost of treating you in the cardiac (heart) intensive care unit and later in cardiac rehabilitation is far greater than the copays for that blood pressure medicine. (Diet and exercise is even cheaper... FREE!)

So check your coverage to see if preventive care screenings (preventive physicals, well baby visits, mammography, pap smear, flu shot, prostate tests, etc,) are covered for your and your family. Then make sure each of you is taking full advantage of this benefit by having whatever preventive screenings the doctor recommends for you (based on your age and gender).If you don't take advantage of the preventive care now, you could cost yourself money and health later on.