*Disclosure: This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of UnitedHealthcare. All thoughts and opinions, as always, are my own.
Unexpected health insurance costs are no fun at all. The other day I received a bill in the mail. It was a doctor’s bill I had back in October 2016. It was a total surprise cost that wasn’t covered by health insurance. I get so frustrated when I have to pay costs I was not expecting. Doh.
Surprise health insurance costs like this are no fun, and often times they can be avoided just by understanding more about your health care options and plans. Knowing simple things like staying in network when going to get treatment or seeing your doctor can end up saving you a lot of money. When you use an out of network doctor you could end up paying five times as much for a surgery. Insane! I know that learning about terms like deductible. co-insurance, coverage, and health savings accounts is not the most glamorous topics, but it can save you money and headache in the long run with just some simple, up front education.
UnitedHealthcare has an Engage section on their website where you can test your knowledge about health care plans and hidden costs. They’ve created a series of videos, quizzes, and matching games that can make learning about all this information more interactive and entertaining. They’ve also got a Cost Estimator Tool you can use that can give you an idea of how much a treatment is going to cost. Plus you can win up to $500 in prizes. You can check it out here.
Look & Learn
The first part of the section is called Look & Learn. You watch a video and then answer a question for a chance to win $500. The video is all about avoiding surprise health care costs and what you can do.
Cost Quiz
The second interactive feature is a Cost Quiz where you answer three basic questions about your health plan for a chance to win a $500 gift card. I did it and got 2 out of 3 questions right on the first try.
Perfect Match
This is my favorite – the matching game! Match up the term with its correct definition in the fewest moves for a chance to win $500.
The Fit & Awesome Giveaway
Now it’s time for my favorite part – the Fit & Awesome giveaway! In addition to winning $500 on the UnitedHealthcare website, you have the opportunity to enter an additional giveaway only for Fit & Awesome readers. Answer them all and each section you complete will enter you for a chance to win a $500 gift card. In addition to this, Fit & Awesome readers have one extra chance to win a $100 gift card to Amazon. What can I say, we haven’t done a giveaway at all yet in 2017 and I feel like this is a good one! Follow the question in the widget below for your chance to win. Make sure you use the promo code “FitandAwesome.” Good luck!
What about you? How do you educated yourself about health care plans and avoiding hidden health care costs? Post in the comments and let us know!
I educate myself by going to the website and checking out all the information that I need.
I read the information I get from my health care plan.
I’d give myself a B+ on my healthcare knowledge
UGH. Health Insurance. So many bad stories about it. But when I got married, I went on my husband’s health insurance… But not without a HUGE headache!
I work in healthcare as a physical therapist, but I educated myself by looking online and asking coworkers.
I have no shame in asking over and over at the Dr.s office to confirm coverage.
I educate myself by researching online and discussing option plans with my doctor.
I educate myself by reading the paperwork provided by my employer and using the website for my insurance. The hardest part of learning about benefits is making a mistake because it usually hits us in the wallet!
Read read and more reading
Before we sign up for any healthcare plans, I get full information from each plan and look at the copays, deductibles, things that are covered/not covered, etc. I do a very detailed look at each plan and compare and contrast to make sure that the plan we ultimately sign up for is best suited for our needs.
I educate myself by going to the website and checking out all the information.
I attend the information meetings at work and read the plan information. We also have a help line that we can call with questions about our benefits.
I educate myself by doing research on the web.
I read the booklet my plan sends me.
Thanks for the contest.
slehan at juno dot com