HealthyLife Articles

Tag: insurance

Check Your Health Insurance Coverage

Healthy Travel

Don’t assume that your medical insurance policy covers medical care you receive outside the United States. To protect yourself against unforeseen-and perhaps costly-medical charges, take these steps.

* Check with your insurance carrier to see if you’re covered when abroad, or if they offer health insurance for travelers.

* If your insurance doesn’t fully cover you away from home, you may be able to purchase traveler’s health insurance through a major credit card company.

* If you’re traveling with a package tour that offers a health insurance option, consider purchasing it.

* Find out if your policy places any restrictions on coverage. Some insurance companies do not cover chronic illness, complications during the third trimester of pregnancy, or sports-related injuries.

Some plans also cover the cost of returning home in case of an emergency.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Save By Being A Wise Health Care Consumer

Medical Care

* Before you receive services, know what your plan covers. Find out from your insurance plan’s website handbook, or customer service representative.

* Find out if the cost for 9-1-1 EMS transport is covered or if you need to use a certain ambulance company.

* Choose providers who accept your insurance. Find out if prior approval or a referral is needed for services to be covered.

* Consider a Consumer Driven Health Plan. You pay a higher deductible and pay for health care costs from a tax-exempt health account. With a high-deductible health plan, you can set aside pre-tax money in a health savings account (HSA). Use this to pay for your deductible and medical costs. Money you don’t spend adds up from year to year, to use for future medical expenses.

* Learn if acupuncture and massage therapy fees are covered.

* Get recommended tests, exams, and vaccines.

* Make sure you use covered services, such as dental cleanings, tests and exams, virtual visits, and the Nurse Advice Line.

* Find out about tax breaks for medical expenses fromirs.gov.

* Stay informed of changes in health care offerings on national and state levels.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Navigate Open Enrollment

WELL-BEING

Make the most of your benefit plan, especially during open enrollment periods. Here are money-saving tips from HighRoads, a benefits management company.

*Get your plan materials.Some companies are giving you a Summary Plan Description online, via mobile apps, as well as on paper. It’s good to know how you can access this information during open enrollment and throughout the year, in case you want to review it again when you are in need of a particular medical service. Take time to read the plan.

*Calculate your costs.Many employers provide cost calculators to help project your total cost for the coming plan year. The total cost includes the premium you pay as well as your share of the deductible and coinsurance. Take the time during open enrollment to think through your potential medical needs and calculate your anticipated expenses before selecting a plan. It may save you hundreds in the long run.

*Consider an account.Your employer may offer you the option of a health care account, whether it is a flexible spending account, a health reimbursement account, or a health savings account. These accounts can help you save money on qualified medical expenses that aren’t covered by your health care plan, such as deductibles and coinsurance. Each account has a different set of rules about how and when you can spend the money, but each is worth considering because the savings you’ll see can add up quickly.

*Is prevention covered?One of the benefits of health care reform is an extended list of preventive care benefits that must be offered by new health care plans for free. Preventive services such as colonoscopy screenings, Pap smears and mammograms for women, well-child visits, and flu shots for all children and adults must be offered without out-of-pocket costs. However, these benefits are only for new health plans and don’t apply to “grandfathered” plans that haven’t significantly changed in a few years.

*Use wellness incentives.More employers than ever before are offering incentives such as premium discounts, low deductibles, gym memberships, or prizes to employees and their family members for health improvement.

*Know your deadlines.No matter what changes you may make, if any, during this year’s open enrollment period, don’t let your selection deadlines slip by without action.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Protect Yourself From Medical Identity Fraud

MEDICAL NEWS

It’s America’s fastest growing identity crime. DHHS says health care data hacking has affected more than 34 million Americans. Stolen records provide information for tax and insurance fraud.

“When someone steals your medical identity, they corrupt your individual health record, so the next time you receive care your doctor can be working off a file riddled with bad information,” say ID Experts, a medical software provider.

Use these wise fraud protection tips.

* Protect your health insurance card as carefully as you would your Social Security or credit cards. Theft of these cards allows someone to assume your identity to receive care. Treat their loss as seriously as a missing credit card; notify your insurance company and include it on any police report you file.

* Never share your insurance with a friend or family member. When someone pretends to be you to receive health care, your lifetime medical records become compromised. This can lead to a future misdiagnosis, a prescription mistake, or other inappropriate treatment.

* Use strong passwords on patient portals and change them often.

* Be observant in medical offices. Don’t just fill out the HIPAA policy form and then assume your provider is being careful. Raise concerns, like medical records sitting open on desks or unattended and unlocked computer terminals.

* Do NOT provide your medical information to someone who calls or emails you about your “possible involvement in a recent breach.”

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Save Money On Health Expenses

FINANCIAL HEALTH

Unexpected health care costs can be hard on any budget. To help manage your own health care costs:

*Get preventive care.Well visits and checkups often cost a lot less than treating a disease or illness. Talk to your doctor and dentist about how often you should be seen, and stick to this schedule.

*Use generic medicines.Name brand medicines can cost hundreds of dollars more than generic ones. Ask your doctor if a generic medicine is available for your condition. Tell your doctor if you are having trouble paying for medications. Drug makers sometimes offer coupons or savings cards for people who need them.

*Shop around for your prescriptions.Medicine costs can vary widely among pharmacies. Call pharmacies and ask for the cost of your prescription medicine. Some websites also have prescription medicine costs available for pharmacies in your area. You may also wish to look into mail-order pharmacies.

*Check your medical bills.Make sure there are no mistakes on your doctor, hospital or prescription bills. And, be sure your insurance covered services it is supposed to cover. If you have questions, or think you may be over-billed, call the number listed on your bill.

Source: Consumer Federation of America

Watch those late fees!

A few dollars here, 20 dollars there… late fees can add up. Whether it’s your credit card bill or a service you received, make an effort to pay your bill on time. Avoid late fees by getting bills set up on automatic payment plans. Or, have a special slot on the wall to place bills that haven’t been paid. Then, they won’t get buried under junk mail or other papers on your desk.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026