Make the Most of your Plans: do these things before the end of the year!
Every year parts of your plan “reset.” This can be your annual maximums, your deductibles, or even specific benefits. When you don’t make the most of these parts of your plans it can often feel like you’re leaving money on the table. To help combat that, we came up with a quick list for SDPEBA plans that can help make sure you’re still making the most of your benefits.
Note: This is not an exhaustive list of all things that reset at the end of the year. Some plans will not be listed if they do not have any benefits that are limited by year.
Aflac
Wellness Benefits – With the Aflac Accident and Critical Illness plan you can get a $50 payout just for getting routine medical tests that are often covered by insurance. These are tests you probably should be getting anyway, like blood tests and physical exams.
The Critical Illness and Hospital plans also have mammogram benefits. If you have these plans you can get $100 - $200 just for getting a mammogram!
Read more about Wellness Benefits here.
Doctor Visits – With the Hospital plan, you can receive up to 6 $25 - $50 payouts per year just for going to the doctor. You can also get 6 payouts for telemedicine, 4 payouts for going to the chiropractor, and 5 payouts for getting prescription drugs.
MetLife Dental
Cleanings – You get two fully covered cleanings at in-network dentists per year. If you haven’t booked yours yet, be sure to do it soon! This is the busy season for dentists.
Also keep in mind that if you have the PPO plan, your $50 deductible will reset at the end of the year!
Sharp
Annual Out of Pocket Maximum – Sharp has an annual out of pocket maximum that keeps you from having to pay too much a year, if you’ve already hit that amount and you have procedures or doctor visits set up for after the year ends, it might be worth pushing those forward.
Deductible – If you have the Sharp Saver or Select plan, your annual deductible and pharmacy deductible will reset at the end of the year. Just remember you will have to reach that cost before services are fully covered again next year.
VSP
Eye Exam – With SDPEBA’s VSP plan you get one eye exam a year! Be sure you get yours if you have this plan!
Two Pairs of Glasses – Did you get both of your pairs of glasses or sets of contacts? If not, make sure you head to the optometrist before the end of the year.
It’s not the end of the world if you don’t make the most of these things, so if you missed them before December was up, don’t stress! Just keep them in mind for next year!