3 Little-Known Benefits of Your Health Insurance Plan

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You may be surprised at the benefits you have.

Main points

• Many people’s health insurance plans leave them stuck with heavy bills.
• Conversely, your insurance plan may come with hidden benefits.
• Find savings on gym memberships, medications and mental health services.

Without health insurance, the cost of getting medical care can be truly astronomical — it can be substantial. bankruptcy. But unfortunately, even with You may still incur higher medical bills because you need health insurance, limited coverage, or services outside your carrier’s network.

But while many people with Health insurance While you can still get stuck with expensive utility bills, some insurance plans offer many hidden benefits that can actually result in a good amount of savings. Here are a few benefits that may be lurking in your plans without you realizing it.

1. Gym membership fee

You may love going to the gym and staying fit, but you may not enjoy $80 a month. credit card Charge your membership fees: If your health insurance plan pays for gym memberships, you may not have to pay any or all of them.

Some plans with this feature require you to submit records showing that you go to the gym. You’ll need to check your plan’s details to find out how to qualify. There may also be a limit on how much you’re eligible to pay. For example, your plan might pay you up to $800 a year and if you spend more than that, the rest is on you. But it’s still better than keeping that entire bill yourself.

2. Invalid drugs

Many people are forced to visit the pharmacy and pay for a prescription. Yours can be $5, $20, or $80 if it’s the type of drug you want and is brand-name compared to the generic version. But some health insurance plans offer free drugs. If you need things like birth control or pills to control your cholesterol, you may find that you are entitled to them without paying any copays.

In addition, you may be entitled to bulk medications at no cost — for example, a 90-day supply of medications you take every day. In some cases, that may require you to use a mail order service, but it’s worth getting the details to reap the savings.

3. Comprehensive mental health services

Some health insurance plans are very generous when it comes to mental health services. You may be entitled to services such as group counseling, individual therapy, free access to mental health apps, or other services that promote strong mental health.

Find out what benefits you are entitled to

Reading the rules of your health insurance plan may not seem like the most fun way to spend an afternoon. But it’s important to familiarize yourself with that information to not only avoid extra bills, but to take advantage of the benefits available to you. And if you have any questions about your benefits, don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and call the number on the back of your card. Sometimes, talking to a real person is the best way to get the information you need.