Isn’t your health insurance plan wonderful? No, really, I am being serious. You pay your premium every month, with the assistance of your employer if you work, and you have a bevy of health care option available to you. Everything from visits with your primary care physicians to diagnostic testing to consultations with specialists. But did you know that oftentimes your insurance carrier offers you even more than simply insurance coverage? Many also offer services that will assist their members in achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Your health plan is likely savvy enough to know that a healthy member is less likely to require expensive medical treatment in the future.
Following are some perks that several insurance plans provide to their members. Take the time to check to see if your carrier offers any or all of these services. You should be able determine what is covered by consulting your certificate of coverage, call telephone number listed on the back of your insurance card or check out you health insurers website. Determine how you can best utilize some of these added value programs to help you to lead a healthy lifestyle. Your doctor, your health plan and you will be happy you did!
Health Club Membership Discounts
Regular exercise has been shown to reduce stress, control blood pressure, manage your weight, regulate high cholesterol and just plain make you feel better. What better way to work an exercise routine into your schedule than to join a club and make a commitment to regularly work out? Also, having a work out buddy tends to motivate folks to hit the gym so find a pal to break a sweat with you.
Nutrition Counseling
Not sure how to deal with a diagnosis of lactose intolerance? Been told you must now have a gluten free diet? Or, has your physician told you that as a new diabetic a strictly controlled diet is now part of the plan? Most insurance plans will provide counseling with a certified nutritionist. Their expert training will make following a specialized diet a breeze.
Vitamin Supplement Discounts
Be sure to get the green light from your primary care physician prior to taking any supplements. If you are given the all clear, see if your insurance carrier offers any discount programs on everything from multi-vitamins to gingko biloba to calcium.
Smoking Cessation Programs
By now you are probably pretty tired to hearing your doctor ask if you are still smoking. And, if you are, now is the time to stop. It is never too late to start on a healthy pathway, even if you have been addicted to nicotine for decades. Think of the health benefits, increased quality of life and cost savings you will experience.
Nurse Hotline
Your child has a bloody nose on a Sunday morning. What to do? You think you broke your toe walking to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Who can you call? Or, you just can’t remember if it is “feed a cold and starve a fever” or the other way around. Many insurers have registered nurses available to triage these types of phone calls 24 hours a day. Of course, if you feel you are suffering from a life threatening illness or injury you should always call 9-1-1.
Chiropractor Services
Medical doctors long ago realized that chiropractic services can be a beneficial component of an overall wellness program. Chiropractors offer services such back realignments, manipulations, and ultrasound treatments.
Weight Management Programs
Obesity leads to a myriad of health problems, including elevated blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea and joint pain. Most insurers would like to see their members live a healthy lifestyle at a healthy weight and therefore count weight management programs as one of the perks they offer.
Written by Sue De La Bruere
