Greg Trotta is the vice president of sales, small business and key accounts for UnitedHealthcare of Delaware.
Better understanding health care costs should be an important part of any family’s financial plan. Medical costs continue to rise year after year and can have an impact on your wallet. In fact, 8.7% of adults in Delaware avoided health care due to prices in 2024, according to new data from America’s Health Rankings.
Resources and benefits may be available to support whole-person health and may help people save more money in 2025. Here are four tips to consider:
Find plans designed to help you shop for care
Price transparency and rising health care costs have long been an issue in health care. Prices can vary by hundreds or thousands of dollars for the same services in the same city. Until recently, many consumers did not have a simple and convenient way to compare their medical care and cost options ahead of time. Fortunately, that is starting to change.
Some employers now offer more modernized health plans to their workforces that offer upfront costs and care options to help people shop for health care like they shop for other products. Talk to your employer about what benefits may be available to you.
Take advantage of financial incentives, wellness programs
You may be able to earn rewards through your health plan for activities like your annual wellness visit, getting certain preventive screenings or completing a survey. And some employers offer wellness programs to help individuals better manage costly chronic conditions.
Don’t forget about other core benefits
Dental and vision plans may save you money and access care, while supplemental health benefits, like accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity insurance, may provide financial protection and greater peace of mind.
Many dental plans include coverage for preventive care, including cleanings and oral cancer screenings. Some plans offer extra benefits, like additional cleanings and gum maintenance during pregnancy, at no additional cost. You may also have access to teledentist services, which provide clinical consults 24/7, in addition to regular care.
Access preventive care
Remember to schedule your annual wellness exam and preventive screenings. Health plans usually cover these, which means you may pay $0 out of pocket for certain preventive services if you go to a network provider. Additionally, consider options like virtual visits for nonemergency treatment. Such visits may be both cost-effective and more convenient.
These strategies may help you make more informed decisions and save you more money. Talk to your employer and health plan about what benefits are available to you for 2025.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
