4 Important Things to Do Before the End of the Year
From fitness discounts to $0 copay for preventive screenings, there are many ways to use your plan to stay healthy. To get the most out of your plan, make sure you do these four things before the end of the year.
1. Get both of your annual checkups
Having both a physical and an Annual Wellness Visit each year is one of the most important ways to stay healthy. These checkups make it easier for your provider to review your health status and spot problems earlier when they are easier to treat. Tufts Health Plan Medicare Advantage members pay $0 for both an annual physical and an Annual Wellness Visit.* (Access PPO members pay 40% coinsurance out of network.)
These checkups can be done at the same visit. Just ask to schedule them together when you make your appointment.
2. Check your medications
Your doctor can review your medications to make sure they are safe and right for you. Your doctor can check for possible side effects from using multiple medications, and make sure your prescriptions are current and still needed. Whether you are using telehealth/telemedicine for a virtual doctor appointment or seeing your doctor in person, use your Doctor Visit Book to write down all your medications and review them with your doctor at your next appointment.
3. Get your screenings
Preventive health screenings can save your life. Screenings check for illness or disease before you have signs or feel sick. By getting the screenings you need, your doctor is more likely to find diseases earlier when they are easier to treat. Check with your doctor to see which screenings are right for you. Tufts Health Plan Medicare Advantage HMO and Access PPO members pay a $0 copay for many screenings. See the list of preventive screenings our plans cover.
4. Make a plan
Are you sticking to your health goals so far this year? If not, take time to review them and make adjustments if needed. Two of the most important parts to any healthy lifestyle are physical activity and nutrition:
- Physical activity—Regular exercise is one of the keys to staying healthy and can help improve your strength, stamina, energy, and mood. It also helps you to maintain your independence. If you are already active, review your program to see if you need to increase or decrease your activity. If you’re not as active as you would like to be, it’s not too late to start. There are many ways to be active. Walking, gardening, climbing stairs, or doing yoga are all ways to be active. Tufts Health Plan Medicare Advantage HMO and Access PPO members can use their Wellness Allowance to save on a variety of fitness activities.
- Eat healthy—Good nutrition is especially important for older adults. It can increase your energy level and help you fight off illness or recover from an injury. Make sure you stick to your nutrition goals for the rest of the year.
Need help with your health goals?
Our Care Management team is available to help you reach your health goals. Find out what the Care Management team does and how they can help.
*A copay may apply if you receive services that address a medical condition during an annual physical or Annual Wellness Visit.