An ounce of preparation…makes a confident consumer!

Welcome to the Winter 2016 issue of FAIR Health Consumer Access! While the wintry season is typically a time to focus on staying healthy, it’s also a good time to take stock of what your health coverage means for you.

It’s basic! Understanding how your health plan works

Many insurers offer different types of health coverage plans. Employers may offer a variety of health coverage plan types, too. It’s important to understand how your particular health plan works because the costs, coverage and rules differ for each. Finding out how your plan works can help you save on costs and avoid headaches later on.

Ready, set, ask!

Now that you are ready to see your doctor, it’s important that you know what your specific costs will be. The complete answer to that question depends upon information that only your doctor’s office can provide. Review the list of questions below, or, better yet, download the questions and take them with you to your appointment.

It’s Open Enrollment Time

The leaves are changing color, the kids are back in school, and that means it’s open enrollment season. This is your chance to enroll (or re-enroll) in a health plan for the coming year.

Picking the Best Health Plan for You

No health plan is right for everybody. To pick the plan that’s best for you and your family, study the available types of plans and pick the one that best fits your healthcare needs and your budget.

The Facts about Cost Sharing

No matter what kind of health plan you get, you’ll probably have to pay something. Here are the types of payments you may have to make—and how to make your dollars stretch as far as possible.

When It’s Hot—and You’re Not Feeling So Hot

Although winter is the season when colds and flu are on the rise, summer has its health pitfalls, too. For a variety of reasons, emergency room (ER) visits peak in the summer. Health experts agree that outdoor activities are important for your overall well-being—and your peace of mind.

Where to Go for Healthcare

What’s the best place to go when you’re sick? It all depends. If you have a serious illness or condition, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room (ER). But, if it’s not an emergency, you have several options. Those include your doctor’s office, an urgent care center and a retail clinic.

How Health Plans Work

What’s the difference between in-network and out-of-network healthcare? Do you have an HMO, a PPO or another type of health plan? Understanding how your health plan works can help you get the most out of your benefits.

Spring Cleaning

Spring is the time when we turn to thoughts of gardening, baseball—and, yes, spring cleaning. While straightening up your home may be the order of the season, don’t forget the medical papers that may have piled up.

Keeping Records about Your Health

It’s important to your health, and your wallet, that you keep good records of your medical and dental care. It’s also important that you organize them in such a way that you can find them when you need them.

Staying on Top of Cost Information

Your medical records have important information not only about your healthcare but about the costs of healthcare, as well. Such records may include health insurance information, payments you’ve made and payments you will have to make.