Health insurance deductible met?
November 18, 2024Now is the time to schedule that procedure you’ve been putting off
As the end of the year approaches, now may be the perfect time to consider elective medical procedures, especially if you’ve already met your health insurance deductible. Many people don’t realize that once they’ve reached their deductible, they have a unique opportunity to maximize their benefits for the rest of the year.
Once your deductible has been met, many health insurance providers start covering a greater portion of the cost of medical procedures, meaning you may be able to save hundreds or even thousands of dollars on treatments you’ve been putting off.
“Elective procedures—like joint replacement or carpal tunnel surgery—are typically not urgent, so patients often wait to schedule them,” says Aley Tohamy, MD, a general surgeon at Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic. “But if you’ve already hit your medical insurance deductible, these procedures could now be significantly more affordable.”
Elective procedures cover a wide range of services, including routine checkups, screenings, physical therapy and minor surgeries, as well as cosmetic procedures that might also improve your quality of life. If you’ve been considering procedures such as a colonoscopy, hernia repair or even a consultation with a dermatologist, there’s no better time to act.
“This is the time of year when we start seeing more patients come in for non-urgent elective procedures,” Dr. Tohamy says. “They save money, improve their health and head into the new year knowing they’ve taken care of important medical needs.”
Beyond financial savings, scheduling elective procedures now can have other advantages. With the holidays approaching, many people take time off from work, making it easier to fit in appointments and potential recovery time. Additionally, early planning and booking now can ensure that appointments are available before the rush of patients seeking to take advantage of their deductibles in the final days of the year.
“This is the time of year when we start seeing more patients come in for non-urgent elective procedures. They save money, improve their health and head into the new year knowing they’ve taken care of important medical needs.” – Aley Tohamy
To get started, see what services and specialties are available, and then speak with your primary health care provider about which procedures might be beneficial for you. Be sure to also check with your insurance company to see what’s covered.