LKH Reminds You To Make The Most Of Health Insurance Before Year’s End
November 18, 2022 at 11:45 p.m.
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“In considering their health care needs, people should also consider the best strategy for using their available health insurance plan benefits,” said Lynn Mergen, CEO at Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital. “Take advantage of unused benefits to complete outstanding treatments or recommended tests or procedures before the year ends.”
Most health insurance plans have a deductible requirement, or the predetermined amount of healthcare expense that must be covered before the plan begins paying the majority of (if not all) remaining expenses. It is crucial to know how close you are to meeting your deductible or if you’ve already met it “because once you reach that threshold, you have a limited window of opportunity to obtain health care services and have the bulk of expenses covered by your plan.” he said.
The end of 2022 also affects individuals with flexible spending accounts (FSAs), which are pre-tax dollars set aside primarily for health-related expenses. The Internal Revenue Service requires those funds to be spent or forfeited by Dec. 31.
If you have been putting off scheduling care like an annual check-up, allergy testing or an elective surgery, it would be wise to check your deductible status and FSA balance to see if there’s money to be saved on procedures, Mergen said.
“It’s important to schedule services promptly so there is enough time to have the test or elective procedure done before the end of the year,” he added. “Getting everything squared away by early December will help ensure the services you receive are considered part of your 2022 coverage.”
For more information on services available at Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital and to schedule an appointment online, visit lutherankosciuskohospital.com/our-services.
“In considering their health care needs, people should also consider the best strategy for using their available health insurance plan benefits,” said Lynn Mergen, CEO at Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital. “Take advantage of unused benefits to complete outstanding treatments or recommended tests or procedures before the year ends.”
Most health insurance plans have a deductible requirement, or the predetermined amount of healthcare expense that must be covered before the plan begins paying the majority of (if not all) remaining expenses. It is crucial to know how close you are to meeting your deductible or if you’ve already met it “because once you reach that threshold, you have a limited window of opportunity to obtain health care services and have the bulk of expenses covered by your plan.” he said.
The end of 2022 also affects individuals with flexible spending accounts (FSAs), which are pre-tax dollars set aside primarily for health-related expenses. The Internal Revenue Service requires those funds to be spent or forfeited by Dec. 31.
If you have been putting off scheduling care like an annual check-up, allergy testing or an elective surgery, it would be wise to check your deductible status and FSA balance to see if there’s money to be saved on procedures, Mergen said.
“It’s important to schedule services promptly so there is enough time to have the test or elective procedure done before the end of the year,” he added. “Getting everything squared away by early December will help ensure the services you receive are considered part of your 2022 coverage.”
For more information on services available at Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital and to schedule an appointment online, visit lutherankosciuskohospital.com/our-services.
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