PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (Oct. 6, 2015) – With less than three months left in the year, now is the time to check the status of health plan deductibles and schedule necessary appointments, recommended testing and surgeries before December 31.
Most health insurance plans have a deductible requirement—a predetermined amount of healthcare expenses that must be covered before the plan begins paying the majority (if not all) of expenses related to necessary medical care.
“If you have been putting off scheduling prescribed care, it would be wise to check your deductible status and plan benefits,” says Richard H. Satcher, Market CEO of Bayfront Health Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda. “This can be an ideal time to access healthcare services because your plan may cover most, if not all, of the costs. The key is to obtain all the health services you need before December 31, because with the new year comes a new deductible.”
Additionally, individuals who have Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) need to check their balances. These accounts, which hold pre-tax dollars set aside to pay for healthcare-related expenses, must be depleted by the end of the year or the money is forfeited. This adds another incentive to schedule services now: ensure those hard-earned dollars are spent, not lost.
“It’s crucial to be prompt with scheduling, so there is enough time to have the test or procedure completed before the end of the year,” says Satcher. “Getting everything squared away by early December will help ensure the services received are considered part of your 2015 coverage.”
Every health plan is different. It is important for consumers to know how their plan works to get the most from their benefits.
For help finding a doctor, call 941-637-2497 or visit www.bayfrontcharlotte.com/find-doctor.
