5 Easy Tips For Keeping Your Health On Track
We ALL neglected preventative healthcare appointments this year. I feel ya! I’m excited to partner with SSM Health for this post to share my favorite tips on keeping healthcare top of mind.
This is a paid partnership post in collaboration with SSM Health. To learn more about SSM Health OB/GYN services, click here. To find out what to expect before, during, and after your yearly well-woman exam, click here. Thank you for supporting the messages I am passionate about!
Aim for one appointment per month. Between two dental cleanings, a well-woman exam, a general physical, a yearly skin exam at the dermatologist, and a optometrist visit, a stop for a flu shot, and plenty of other appointments in between for other fun, it’s safe to say you’ll have at least one health-related appointment every month of the year - and that’s if you’re really healthy! If it helps to set a recurring day for these appointments, it can help you stay on track and avoid neglecting them.
Check what insurance covers. You might be surprised! Take advantage of everything your healthcare plan covers for free preventative care. It’s likely that you (or your spouse) works really hard for this healthcare coverage, or that you pay your hard earned dollars for it. Milk it for ALL it’s worth!
Keep up on injuries and maintenance vs. letting it go. I am a big fan of going to checkup appointments even if everything is feeling fine because I value having a familiar face that I am comfortable with when an emergency comes up. For example, I always make sure I visit my dermatologist once a year just to check in (it’s covered!). The year I got a horrendous rash from a spider bite, I was so relieved to see her face and get her expert opinion. Bonus - sometimes your doctor will even treat you over the phone more easily if they remember you, or if they just saw you recently. There’s also a chance you’re missing something. Maybe there’s a new red flag in your blood work compared to last year, or a vitamin deficiency, that you aren’t even aware of until your preventative appointment brings it to light. You could catch something early on that would have caused more costly healthcare bills later.
Take advantage of your health savings account. If your healthcare plan offers this, use it! Health Savings Accounts, or HSAs, are a great place to save for healthcare expenses and it’s even sheltered from taxes. Win win!
Set recurring calendar reminders. This is by far my favorite tip! When you visit your doctor for an appointment that recurs, put a reminder in your calendar to rebook it next year! Or better yet, keep your appointments consistent. I always get my eyes checked in August - so it’s routine for me to keep that on the calendar so I don’t forget it.
Why SSM Health?
SSM Health offers personalized care from doctors that see their patients as people first. They’re compassionate and comprehensive in their care, and this year they’ve made their facilities safer than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a bonus, they offer digital records through MyChart that allows patients to access their records at any time online and even communicate or book appointments without picking up the phone. So easy!
Learn about all the beneficial OB/GYN services offered by SSM Health OB/GYN services by clicking here. You can also find out what to expect with your yearly well-woman exam by clicking here.
