Managing your family’s health care is a big job, but just an inch of planning can go a long way in checking things off in the long run. During the year, each season offers a chance for your family to get organized and up to date with healthy choices. Listed below are health expert’s checklist for routine appointments and tasks, organized by season.
If you have been appointed the family health manager, you’re
probably feeling a little overwhelmed. Not only do you have your family to take
care of, but you have your aging parents too.
Wouldn’t it be best for your mental health if there was a way to know
they are protected and safe while maintaining their independence? If you worry that your beloved elders have no
form of personal protection, or their personal safety can be enhanced, then
Life Alert has the solution for you. Their
variety of protection packages are designed to suit any lifestyle while
providing help at the easy press of a button.
Whether it’s a medical emergency, fall, fire, home intrusion, or the need
for extra protection while out on the town, Life Alert’s medical alert system
gets help fast, 24/7. So check off
personal protection on your health list with Life Alert, and grab your pen and
paper as Everyday Health[1]
has your family’s 2017 health care checklist below!
WINTER
Manage your personal health records. Your health coverage and
personal details can change from year to year. So start the year right with a
quick check. Make sure you have log-ins and take advantage of your health
providers’ and health plan’s web sites.
Check that your personal information is correct on those sites—validate
your name, address, phone number(s) and dependents. It’s also good to check
balances in your flexible spending or health savings account and update any
mail-order prescriptions.
Get a skin check. If you have a family history of skin cancer
or get more than your share of sun, you may want to see your doctor for regular
skin checks. Winter is a good time to look for suspicious moles or spots
because exam results tend to be more accurate when you haven’t been in the sun.
It’s also a good idea to check with your health plan to understand how much of
these services are covered before you see the doctor.
Plan your wellness visits.
These visits include an annual check-up, immunizations and other
preventive screenings. Preventive checkups may help find conditions early, when
they’re easier to treat. Talk with your doctor about a schedule that’s right
for you. Many health plans cover preventive care services at no additional cost
to you, as long as you see in-network providers. Be sure to ask your doctor
when you’re due for breast, cervical, or colorectal cancer screenings.
SPRING
Spring clean your medicine cabinet. Safely dispose of
prescribed medicines you no longer need. You can take old pills to a pharmacy
or authorized collector. Be sure to remove labels to protect your personal
information. While you’re at it, stock up on bandages and other first aid
essentials.
Take care of your teeth. Regular trips to the dentist aren’t
just about healthy choppers. They’re a part of your overall health management.
Good oral health may be linked to benefits ranging from cardiovascular wellness
to prenatal health. Ask your dentist how often you and your kids should have a
dental exam and cleaning. Then, check with your dental insurance company (often
different from your health plan) to see what’s covered.
Plan for allergies. If you have allergies, see your doctor
before or during allergy season. It varies by region, but it’s often in spring.
If you need a new doctor or specialist, make sure they’re in your network. Many
health plans have online tools to help you find in-network doctors near you,
review their quality ratings and estimate costs.
SUMMER
Put safety first. It is also a good time to examine home
safety—check and replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and
even conduct fire drills. Finally, check with your health plan in case you may
need care quickly as there are options. Your first stop for minor accidents
should be your Primary Care Provider, but if it’s after hours, consider calling
a doctor or visiting your nearby urgent care center. Roughly 70 percent of all
emergency room visits are for conditions that could be handled by a care visit
right on your phone or at an urgent care center, and these options will usually
cost less than the Emergency Room. Also, a quick call to the nurseline of your
health plan can get you to the right care, and save you time and money.
Beat the back-to-school rush. Schedule well-child checkups and,
for older kids, sports physicals in the summer, when the kids are out of
school. Get the most out of your visit by using the notes feature on your
smartphone to jot down questions or concerns as they come up. Also, check your
health plan’s website. It may have handy checklists to take along on your
visit.
Don’t forget pets. There are plenty of health benefits to
owning pets. They may help reduce stress, promote activity, and even reduce the
incidence of asthma in kids. Keep your pet healthy with annual trips to the
vet.
FALL
Spend your FSA balance. If you haven’t already, it’s time to
use your flexible spending account (FSA) for eligible expenses. In most cases,
your balance doesn’t roll over. If you have a high-deductible health plan, set
up a health savings account (HSA) and make contributions. Your employer may also contribute to the
account. These accounts let you make tax-deductible contributions and withdraw
the funds to pay for eligible expenses. Unlike FSAs, you can roll over your HSA
funds from year to year. That makes them a great long-term savings tool for
big-ticket expenses down the road, such as braces or laser eye surgery.
Get flu shots and other vaccines. It takes a couple of weeks
for the flu shot to kick in, so aim to get it in early fall. Walk-in clinics,
retail pharmacies, and employer health fairs are convenient and safe options.
Many health plans cover vaccines at no additional cost to you. If you or your kids
are due for other vaccines, such as MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), you may
be able to check all vaccines off in a single visit to your doctor.
Plan for open enrollment. For many health insurance plans, open
enrollment starts in October. You may have several plan options available.
There are factors to keep in mind, like coverage, price, and which doctors are
in network.
With the seasons perfectly mapped out for your family’s
health above, you can feel good about what’s to come in 2017. However, while
seasons may come or go, your aging parent’s personal protection should be year
round, 24/7. This task can be easily completed with Life Alert’s medical alert
system. While wearing their lightweight, waterproof emergency pendant, your
parent can summon an help fast with just one touch of a button. No matter if
they encounter a home invasion, a home fire or even a serious fall, LifeAlert’s 24/7 dispatch team can send the proper help fast. So while you focus on
the family for their next health checkup, feel confident knowing that your venerable
elders are fully protected thanks to Life Alert! To learn more about all of
Life Alert’s lifesaving services, call 1-800-513-2934 for a free brochure.
Works Cited:
1.
“Your Family's 2017 Health Care Checklist.” Real Simple. <https://www.realsimple.com/partner/unitedhealthcare/119688?prx_t=AJ8CAOTINAyO0PA&ntv_idp=1 >.
