5 things you should do for your health before year ends

South Florida Sun Sentinel (FL)

In the midst of holiday preparations, it becomes easy to ignore your health or put off check-ups and doctor’s appointments. But when you ring in the new year, you also reset the clock on your health insurance deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums, which for many employees are becoming increasingly higher.

To take care of your health, and save money, you will want to make some strategic moves in the last few weeks of 2019.

1. Get a checkup

Many insurances fully cover preventative care such as annual exams, and health screenings. Jennifer Goldman, a primary care physician with Memorial Healthcare System says it is not too late to make an appointment with your primary care doctor for an annual checkup, or schedule preventative screenings.

“Men and women should get a physical exam every year to screen for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and other risk factors,” said Goldman who also is the medical director of Memorial’s primary care group.

Primary care physicians can order screenings for colon cancer, breast cancer and bone density, often covered by insurers as preventative care.

“If you suffer from a chronic disease like diabetes, high blood pressure or emphysema, use the last few weeks of the year to meet with your primary doctor to make sure you are on the right medicine and make a plan for exercise and eating healthy during the holidays,” she said.

Yes, we all tend to indulge during December, but Goldman said don’t let that cause you to put off a doctor’s visit. “Some people feel they haven’t eaten as healthy or they are not following through on exercise plans, and they don’t want to come in and get weighed,” she said. “I strongly recommend you don’t put off those visits.”

Be sure to take advantage of the benefits available this calendar year, such as annual dental cleanings or eye exams, free eyeglasses or contact lenses and free flu shots.

2. Make the most of deductibles

Deductibles -- the money you’re required to pay out of pocket before insurance covers all or part of your health-care services -- are becoming higher. If you have met your deductible, this is the time to schedule any medical treatments or procedures you put on hold.

Jeanine Karp, of Miami, says she could have delayed a surgical procedure until next year but wants to use her health insurance wisely.

“I could have waited without any harm to my health, but I pushed for the surgery to happen before the end of the year so I can avoid additional out-of-pocket costs," she said. "It’s not ideal to be recovering when parties and fun things are going on, but financially it makes more sense to do it now.”

She reached her deductible this year after treatment and physical therapy for a broken wrist.

An estimated 85% of workers enrolled in an employer plan are on the hook for a deductible, up from about 59% 10 years ago, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation of Menlo Park, Calif. The average deductible was $1,573 in 2018, up 39% over the past five years. By now, many employees have met their deductible and have only weeks to left with their health plans picking up the costs -- making it essentially free care.

If you have reached your deductible, it’s a good idea to order prescription drugs before the year ends. A 90-day supply of medications could cover you through March.

If you plan any medical treatments, research the costs beforehand. Memorial Healthcare System has launched a healthcare price website to provide a quote for the cost of medical treatments, factoring in your insurance information. There is also an option to research costs for those who don’t have or don’t want to use insurance.

“I think it’s a legitimate request of patients to have that information,” said Matthew Muhart, Memorial Healthcare System’s executive vice president and chief administrative officer. “When you check the price and see your out-of-pocket cost, it’s an opportunity to use your remaining flexible spending.”

3. Use all your FSA money

The Internal Revenue Service has set $2,700 as the maximum contribution to a tax-advantaged healthcare Flexible Savings Account. But unlike a Health Savings Account which can carry over into the next year, an FSA must be used by Dec. 31 or you forfeit the remaining amount in the account. Some employers offer a grace period of 2 1/2 months; however, you would have to spend that before next year’s funds are available.

Here are some expenses you can use your FSA money toward: mental health counseling, chiropractor visits, acupuncture, artificial teeth, hearing aids, eyeglasses and contact lenses. The IRS has a list of approved medical expenses.

Some people lose money simply by failing to claim the expenses they already have such as co-pays for prescriptions. Go through receipts now or ask your pharmacist for duplicates, and submit them as quickly as possible.

4. Use time off wisely

Anyone contemplating elective surgery may want to use their time off during the holidays strategically.

South Florida plastic surgeon Adam Rubinstein said he sees a pick up in procedures this time of year, as people focus on their appearance going into a new year and seek out the newest laser treatments for their skin or to take away fat.

Rubinstein urges caution, though, with some procedures.

“Some people come in and want to look great for holidays so they will get Botox or fillers,” Rubinstein said. “But you have to be careful not to get too close to Christmas or New Year’s because you could bruise and not be happy.”

5. Sign up for health insurance

As the year closes out, you still have time to sign up for health insurance during the Affordable Care Act’s open enrollment. But act quickly: Dec. 15 is the last day to enroll in most areas.

The Kaiser Family Foundation has found 694,800 uninsured people in Florida could get a plan for 2020 and pay nothing in premiums, thanks to tax credits.

“If Floridians are considering going uninsured because they can’t afford a plan, these $0 plans are a no-brainer,” said Joshua Peck, co-founder of Get America Covered.

Last year, 9 in 10 people qualified for financial help to make their monthly premiums more affordable. Free help is available at 1-800-318-2596.

Cindy Krischer Goodman can be reached at cgoodman@sunsentinel.com, 954-356-4661, Twitter and Instagram @cindykgoodman like exercise, and eating healthy.

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