Extended health benefits through your employer can help cover the cost of healthcare services throughout the year. The final few months of the year can be a good time to check your coverage, but that doesn’t mean you should wait until November or December to address an injury, discomfort or other health concern.
At Columbia Integrated Health Centre in New Westminster, Dr. John Dang says the clinic regularly sees patients waiting until the end of the year to use benefits they still have available.
“Many patients who have extended health benefits through their employment oftentimes wait until the month of November, December to utilize whatever benefits that they realize they have left.”
His advice is straightforward: if something is bothering you, don’t wait simply because there are still months left in your benefit year.
Use Your Extended Health Benefits When You Need Them
Extended health benefits may provide coverage for services such as chiropractic care, physiotherapy, registered massage therapy and other health services.
Rather than thinking about that coverage only as the end of the year approaches, Dr. Dang recommends addressing concerns as they arise.
“If you have symptoms or conditions or something that’s ailing you throughout the year, don’t wait till the end of the year. Address it early.”
That means paying attention to your health throughout the year and seeking appropriate care when you need it, rather than trying to fit several appointments into the final few weeks of December.
Year-End Appointments Can Fill Up
There’s also a practical reason not to leave everything until the last minute: you may have a harder time getting an appointment.
As the end of the year approaches, more people begin checking their remaining extended health benefits and booking appointments.
“We oftentimes see that towards the end of the year, when many patients are scrambling to use their benefits, many of our health services and many of our therapists are completely booked up, sometimes weeks or months at a time.”
If there is a particular practitioner, service or appointment time you need, waiting until late in the year may mean fewer options are available.
Check Your Benefits Before the Year Gets Away From You
If you haven’t looked at your extended health benefits recently, now is a good time to review your plan and understand what coverage you have available.
More importantly, if you have an injury or health concern you’ve been putting off, consider addressing it based on what you need — rather than waiting until the calendar says December.
As Dr. Dang puts it:
“My recommendation is look at the entirety of the year and address those concerns throughout, and not delay addressing these concerns to the very last minute.”
If you have questions about the services available at Columbia Integrated Health Centre, or would like to book an appointment, contact CIHC.
