Make Choosing Health Care Benefits An Easy Process For Your Family

by Carrie with Children with comments closed
As the family of a child with special needs, health insurance options are something very important to our family.  With open enrollment periods beginning soon for most Americans and a new health reform law in place, it is imperative that we understand the options available to us.  According to a new survey by Be Smart About Your Health, an educational consumer portal formed by Aetna, close to 70% of us are paying more attention to benefit options this year. As a family, we are looking at every available resource in ensuring our girls have the necessary coverage.  With the Be Smart About Your Health initiative, you can save time and money while choosing the appropriate health benefits in a matter of just sixty minutes.  Here are a few tips to keep in mind when reviewing your health benefits.

It’s helpful to think about what is important for your family.  Are you concerned with paying too many additional co-pays throughout the year?  If you are someone who has frequent visits to the doctor’s office, such as our family, this may be something to keep in mind.  Is it a priority that you have access to doctors that are not covered within your network?  Everyone has different “must haves” when it comes to health coverage, especially when children are involved too.  What are yours?


While it’s often hard to predict what health options you may need for the upcoming year – try and find a plan that fits your future needs. Look ahead to future doctor visits.  Is this the year for a mammogram or a colonoscopy? Do you participate in annual vaccinations? Keep your medical needs in mind as you plan ahead for the coming year. 
Make sure you can afford the premiums set for your plan.  Needs change and budgets can change in an instant, consider your family first when budgeting the necessary dollars for health care.  Estimating your medical costs from the previous year, will allow you to better determine how much to set aside for your FSA (flexible spending account). 

Compare your current health plan with others that are available to you. If possible, it never hurts to shop around and it’s definitely worth seeing if there are ways to save money. If there is a plan that offers more incentives for the price, take advantage of it!  Sometimes saving money can be as little as making a few lifestyle changes – don’t miss out on the opportunity to get “more bang for your buck”. Check out GoHealthInsurance.com to compare your own plan. 
Investigate other ways you may be able to save money.  Check into Health Reimbursement Arrangements and Health Savings Accounts can put more money in your pocket by saving your pre-tax dollars for health benefits.  See if there are gym membership discounts.  Who doesn’t want to get healthy and save money at the same time?  Visit Plan For Your Health and check out the health expense calculator to estimate your expenses and plan ahead for more savings.  
Make finding the appropriate health care plan a priority for your family.  It’s a priority for my family.  I encourage you to sit down with your spouse and discuss your options for the upcoming year.  Choosing the proper health care plan for your family is an important one, but it doesn’t have to be a difficult one. 

I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Aetna blogging program, making me eligible to get a $30 Target gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.
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