HealthyLife Articles

Tag: FSA

  • Choose Benefit Options With Both Cost And Care In Mind

    Medical Care

    Wooden blocks with medical icons.

    *  Signing up for the same plan as the one you have is easy, but spending time to find out about all options could be worth it. Ask your employer for written materials for your options or how to access the information online.

    *  Estimate what your costs for the coming year will be using each option. Your company’s or insurance company’s website may have tools to help you do this.

    *  Consider a flexible spending account (FSA) to help pay for health care expenses. It also offers tax advantages. To determine how much to put into an FSA, add up out-of-pocket costs you expect to pay for the coming year. These include co-pays, deductibles, cost for eyeglasses, contact lenses, etc.

    *  The best deal may not be the cheapest plan, but the one that gives the best price for the benefits you are most likely to use.

    *  Find out if you can lower your health care premium costs by taking part in certain wellness and disease management programs offered through work.

    A Year of Health Hints book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Use Your Benefits Before The Year Runs Out

    Medical Care

    Smiling female doctor.

    *  Schedule office visits, tests, and exams that you need, but have not yet had this year, especially if they are covered expenses or if you have met your deductible.

    *  If you have a flexible spending account (FSA), make sure to use it all by the yearly deadline date. You lose what you do not spend. Find out what your FSA covers. You may be able to use it for:

    –  Over-the-counter medications

    –  Contact lenses and solution

    –  Batteries for hearing aids

    –  A quit tobacco program

    *  Put timing for medical expenses on your side. For example, if the expected costs for dental care exceed your yearly limit, get as many visits this month that this year’s limit will cover. Schedule the rest for the beginning of next year when a new year of dental coverage begins.

    A Year of Health Hints book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine