It’s the end of the year, and while most people are focusing on the upcoming holidays, the medical community is gearing up for its busiest time.

If you’ve met your deductible for 2022, you might wonder how to take advantage of the benefits before 2023. The good news is there are lots of opportunities between now and December 31 to get the most out of your insurance plan.

Here are the top five recommendations of what to do when you meet your health insurance deductible:

    1. Schedule a visit with your primary care physician. If you still haven’t had your annual physical with a primary care physician (PCP), now is the time to do it. Yearly physical scan alert your doctor of potential health issues so proactive care plans can be created.

    2. Schedule lab work. During your annual physical, your PCP may recommend lab work, like a blood panel. Go ahead and get that on the books now! Lab work is typically a quick appointment at your doctor’s office or a nearby clinic. Lab work can give your physician a better overview of your health if there are any concerns.

    3. See a specialist.Office visits with a specialist are more expensive than PCPs, and sometimes the copays can be triple digits. Because of this, specialists are especially busy toward the end of the year. If you want to see a cardiologist, ENT, neurologist, or any other specialist, now is the time to call before they runout of appointments for the year.

    4. Consider preventative testing and screenings. Preventative testing and screenings save lives. If you’re at risk for serious health concerns or meet the age criteria for testing, you should consider scheduling these appointments as soon as possible. Some recommended screenings include:

• Colonoscopy – if you have a family history of colon cancer, you may be eligible for a colonoscopy at 40. Otherwise, testing is recommended at 45.
• Mammogram – women 40 and older should schedule a mammogram every two years. If you have a family history of breast cancer, your physician may recommend an annual mammogram.
• Cervical Cancer – screening for cervical cancer is done through a simple HPV test annually once a woman turns 30. Before turning 30,women should receive regular pap tests to detect abnormalities.
• Prostate Cancer – men in their 40s should get a baseline prostate specific antigen blood test. This baseline test will ensure early detection of changes in PSA levels.
• Lung Cancer – if you are a current or former smoker and have a chronic cough, it’s time to schedule a lung cancer screening. Even if you do not have a chronic cough, it’s never too early for smokers to begin screening.
• Other types of cancer – if you have a family history of any type of cancer, ask your PCP if you are eligible for testing. Early detection is key to a good prognosis.

    5. Refill your prescriptions. The easiest way to save money before the year ends is to refill all prescriptions. If you notice you are running low on any medications, call your pharmacist or PCP to confirm you are eligible to fill them before January 1. Better yet, ask if you can get 90-day refills!

If you are a physician and want potential patients to find your practice, contact the Moran Group. We can get your message in front of the right people through paid social, paid search, and programmatic making sure that you book out through the end of this year.