Met Your Health Insurance Deductible Yet?

Can you believe it? The new year is fast approaching and your list of things to do is probably fairly long as this point in 2024. We're not just talking about holiday planning either. At Clarinda Regional Health Center we want to make sure you are paying attention to your body too. Don't keep putting those health concerns to the side.

Have you met your deductible?
If you've met your medical insurance deductible, every day between now and December 31st is your chance to receive some notably less expensive medical "self-care." Think of things like screenings, elective surgeries, scans or testing. Right now is a great time to look into those items you've been putting off the entire year. Some of these procedures you can schedule yourself too!

What is a Health Care Deductible and does everyone have one?
Your health care deductible is the amount of money you pay out of your own pocket for medical expenses before your insurance "kicks in" and your insurance provider pays for your procedures. And no, not all health care plans are the same, so not everyone has a deductible. To be sure if you have one, contact the number on the back of your medical insurance card and ask what your specific plan benefits are.

Here is an example: If you have a $1,000 health care deductible, you're responsible for paying for all your health and medical expenses until you reach that $1,000 mark. Once you have reached that limit, whatever it is - it could be more or less - you've met your deductible. At this point, your insurance provider can now begin paying for a large portion of your health care costs.

How Do I know If I've Med My Health Care Deductible?
Your health insurance company will likely have a website that will let you log in and view your deductible status. Again, you can check the back of your insurance card for a phone number to contact to ask those specific questions as well. Or, if you keep track of your medical expenses or explanation of benefits your insurance company mails to you after a visit or procedure, those sometime indicate if your deductible has been reached by showing that you don't owe anything out of pocket.

What type of visits or procedures should I schedule before the end of the year?
Most families, at this point in the year, have met their deductible and out of pocket maximums (or the highest amount you'll have to pay), so consider these types of visits before the December 31st deadline.

• Elective Surgeries : These are the types of surgeries are the things that are put off by patients for long periods of time until they end up resulting in an emergent situation down the road. After reaching your deductible, elective surgeries become much more affordable, depending on your insurance plan.
  • Anti-Reflux Surgery
  • Ear Tube Surgery
  • Eye Surgery for Cataracts
  • Gallbladder Surgery
  • Hernia Repair
  • Ulcer Surgery
  • Lower Extremity (Foot & Ankle) Surgery
  • Mole removal
• Elective Appointments: These types of visits also might be something you put off, but probably aren't life threatening if delayed. But these types of visits could definitely result in a healthier versions of yourself and are worth looking into.
  • Physical Therapy
  • Pelvic Floor Therapy
  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Dry Needling
• Screenings: Theses are generally diagnostic tools that are an important piece of your own personal healthcare puzzle. Screenings are used to detect a variety of illnesses, including different cancers. Depending on your age and existing health conditions, ask your provider if you should schedule some of these screenings.
  • Colonoscopy
  • DEXA Body Composition Scan
  • Endoscopy
  • Low Dose CT Scan
  • Prostate Screening