If you’ve spent more than a minute on the internet, then you’ve probably seen at least a dozen articles citing various “life hacks” or tricks to make your life easier. Like placing your smartphone in a bowl to amplify the sound when you don’t have a speaker, or all the 1,001 things you can do with a binder clip.
Did you know that health insurance comes with its own unique set of tricks for getting the most out of your coverage? Except “trick” is probably the wrong word, since insurers wants you to know how to use your benefits and get the most you can out of them. As do employers, since well cared-for workers miss less work and are more engaged and productive.
Getting the most out of your health insurance coverage is a win-win for all parties involved. Here’s how to do it.
- Get all the freebies they offer. Many preventative benefits are covered at 100{d044ab8acbff62f209a116f8142e303cb886f535b0fcf58cb82cde7cb327d3c9}, so make sure you get regular screenings and other perks like free flu shots.
- Use technology. Rather than going to the ER during the after hours, or just waiting for your doctor to open the next morning, you can often access a doctor via your wireless device or computer. Doctors can use this method, called telehealth, to assess patients, make a diagnosis, and even write prescriptions. These “visits” are often much cheaper than going into a clinic.
- Take advantage of your EAP. Called Employee Assistance Programs, many companies offer services to help employees solve matters related to childcare, personal finance, and other important life issues.
- Comparison shop online. Just because doctor’s offices don’t necessarily offer a menu of their prices, you can still shop around for the best price in non-emergency situations. Online tools can estimate your out-of-pocket costs and provide info on the quality of various providers.
- Go mobile. Lose all those health insurance cards, medical ID cards, and other things that clutter up your wallet. Many insurers these days have mobile apps to allow you to access that same information more quickly. You can also find doctors, refill prescriptions, and more.
Make sure you’re getting every bit of bang you can out of your health insurance premium dollars. Start using these tips today! Read more in this BizTimes article.