Buzz
If you're enrolled in a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) and find yourself needing urgent or scheduled surgery that brings you close to or over your deductible, consider adding other procedures or treatments within that plan year. As Carolyn McClanahan advises in Forbes, 'By approaching your medical care thoughtfully, you might be able to 'front load' several treatments in one year and only meet the deductible once.'
After her husband required emergency tests (which thankfully turned out to be fine), McClanahan realized that they were on track to surpass their deductible for the year, presenting an opportunity:
As a former top athlete, he dealt with various ongoing musculoskeletal problems. Once he recovered from the accident, I suggested he get every part of his body examined and undergo all necessary physical therapy. While I don't need as much medical attention, I took care of some skin and allergy issues that year. Additionally, I stocked up on allergy medication for the upcoming year. By consolidating all our care into a single year, we managed to avoid doctor visits the next year. The strategy worked perfectly.
Let’s set aside how absurd it is that you have to strategize healthcare in the U.S. to such an extreme to avoid financial ruin. But that’s the reality of American healthcare in 2018.
While it’s far from perfect, this situation highlights the importance of planning your healthcare. Proper timing can save you a significant amount of money, so it’s wise to start your planning well before the year begins to ensure everything gets done on schedule.
For additional tips on maximizing your HDHP, check out this post by Beth Skwarecki, Mytour’s Health Editor, and keep in mind all the 'freebies' available to you without tapping into your deductible.
