As the year wraps up, it’s the ideal time to review your health insurance coverage and maximize your health insurance benefits before year-end. Many health insurance plans, especially employer-sponsored ones, have annual benefit limits that reset on January 1st. To make the most of your benefits, you need to act quickly. Whether it’s for dental, vision, or paramedical services, now is the time to ensure you take advantage of what’s available before your benefits expire.
Schedule Your Dental Check-ups and Treatments to Maximize Your Health Insurance Benefits Before Year-End
Dental care is often included in private health insurance plans. However, most plans have an annual limit on how much they will cover for services like cleanings, fillings, and exams. If you haven’t yet reached your annual limit, now is the time to schedule that overdue check-up or any necessary treatments, such as cavity fillings or dental cleanings.
Many Canadians turn to online communities like Reddit for advice on how to maximize benefits. On threads about how to take advantage of health insurance, people often suggest booking appointments well before the year’s end to ensure availability and maximize coverage.
Tip: Many dental offices get busy at the end of the year, so book your appointment early to make sure you can get in before your benefits reset.
Use Your Vision Care Benefits
Vision care, including eye exams, glasses, and contact lenses, is another area where benefits often go unused. If your health insurance plan includes coverage for vision services, and you haven’t had an eye exam this year, schedule one before your benefits expire. Eye exams are important for overall eye health, even if you feel your vision hasn’t changed. Detecting issues like glaucoma early can make a significant difference in treatment.
Tip: If your plan covers glasses or contact lenses, consider using your benefits to get a backup pair or replace your current ones if they’re outdated.
Don’t Forget Paramedical Services
Paramedical services, such as physiotherapy, massage therapy, chiropractic care, and acupuncture, are often included in health insurance plans but may go unused. If you’ve been dealing with any aches or injuries, now is the time to take advantage of these services. Many insurance plans cover a set number of visits or a specific dollar amount for paramedical treatments, and these benefits often reset at the end of the year.
Tip: For ongoing conditions, booking multiple sessions before the year ends can help you make the most of your coverage.
Order Prescription Medications Before Your Deductible Resets
Prescription drug coverage is a common feature of health insurance plans, but many have an annual deductible that resets in January. If you’ve already met your deductible this year, consider refilling any prescriptions before the new year to avoid paying out-of-pocket once your deductible resets.
Tip: Check with your pharmacy to see if you can order a 90-day supply of your medication to extend coverage well into the new year.
Review Your Health Spending Account (HSA)
If your health insurance plan includes a Health Spending Account (HSA), now is the time to review your balance and use it before the year ends. HSAs cover a wide variety of health-related expenses, from dental work to prescription medications and paramedical services. The plan is usually funded by the employee with pretax dollars, making it a tax-efficient way to pay for healthcare. Any remaining balance can sometimes carry over, but in some plans, any amount not used in a given year remains in the account and continues to gain interest, while in others, it could expire at the year’s end.
Tip: If your family is on the plan, remember their eligible expenses can also be covered by your HSA.
Maximize Your Health Insurance Benefits Before Year-End: We’re Her to Help
Maximizing your health insurance benefits before the year ends is the best way to make sure you’re getting the most value from your plan. Whether it’s dental care, vision services, paramedical treatments, or prescription medications, using your benefits now can help you avoid unnecessary out-of-pocket expenses later. For Atlantic Canadians, being proactive with your health insurance means better care and savings in the long run.
Don’t wait—review your benefits, schedule your appointments, and make the most of your health insurance before the year resets! Have questions about your health insurance plan? Contact us. We’re here for all your health insurance questions—contact us today and let us help you maximize your benefits!