Somehow, June is sweeping through and the year is half over already. Now that we’re in the sixth month of 2024, it’s a good time to reflect on any health needs you might have. Then, do a quick assessment to make sure you’re making the most of your health insurance.

Here are 10 questions to ask yourself:

1. Do I have a primary care provider I trust? It’s important to assemble a healthcare team when you’re healthy so that you know whom to call when you’re sick or in need of treatment quickly. If you haven’t found that person yet, make it a goal to do so this month. When you log into your account or visit AlabamaBlue.com/FindADoctor, you can search a list of in-network providers and make an appointment with one that is convenient for you.

2. Have I had a wellness visit lately? When you visit the doctor regularly, they get to know you and learn what’s “normal” for you when it comes to things like your temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, respiration rate, blood sugar, cholesterol and more. When they have a baseline for your health, it’s easier for them to detect when something is off, and, hopefully, diagnose and treat any possible issues early.

3. Are my kids up to date on their well child/well baby visits? If not, make those appointments, too. During the visit, your doctor or pediatrician will be able to ensure your child is up-to-date on their vaccines and can evaluate their growth and development. They can also answer any questions and concerns that you or your children might have.

4. Am I up to date on all of my vaccinations? When you’re at your physical appointment, your primary care provider can check your health records and let you know if you’re due for any vaccines. They can either give you any immunizations you need then and there, or help you come up with a plan to schedule them in the fall, when the season is more fitting (like with the flu vaccine).

5. What screenings do I need? The older we get, the more screenings we need, like mammograms and colonoscopies. Talk to your doctor about what you’re due for and schedule the appointment right away, so you don’t put it off. Or, if you’ve already put it off, take this opportunity to book an appointment.

6. How am I feeling lately? Now is a great time to do a quick health scan. Have you noticed any changes or concerns, either mentally or physically? Is there a health concern you’ve put on the back burner? Do you feel like you might benefit from mental health help? Now’s the time to take charge. First, log into your account so you can skim your policy and find out if your concerns are covered. Then, do an online search for a doctor who is in your network. If you have mental health coverage, visit the Guided Search for Mental Health at AlabamaBlue.com/MentalHealthProviders. Odds are, it’ll just take a few minutes to do a little legwork and make those appointments. And doing so will help lighten your mental load.

7. Where do I stand on my deductible? Your deductible is the amount you pay for eligible health services in a year before your insurance policy begins to share costs. If your deductible is $1,500, for example, you’ll pay for eligible costs for up to $1,500 before your policy helps pay for covered services. Log into your account and see how much of your deductible you’ve paid this year. It’s always good to know whether you’ve paid off most of it, or if you’ve barely touched it. When making a decision about health care that’s not time sensitive, these deductible insights might inform whether you act quickly or hold off on scheduling a procedure.

8. Where do I stand on my out-of-pocket maximum? The out-of-pocket maximum is the most an individual will pay in a year for eligible health services. After paying this amount, your insurance policy will pay for all other covered services. If you’re reached your out-of-pocket maximum, or are close to reaching it, then it’s a good time to schedule any health care you’ve been considering, because your policy will pay for it through the end of the calendar year. In 2025, your policy will start anew.  

9. Am I missing out on programs and perks my health insurance plan offers? Many health insurance plans—including Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama—offer programs aimed at helping members live healthy lives. Blue365, for example, offers health and wellness discounts on things like apparel and gym memberships. And Baby Yourself is a free maternity program that provides access to a free Baby Yourself app to track your pregnancy (including a timeline view, kick counter, contraction counter, size guide, weekly checklists and more). It also shares information on breastfeeding, educational resources and free gifts, and connects expectant moms to a nurse who can answer their questions. To learn more about the programs you have access to, visit AlabamaBlue.com.

10. Do I educate myself about changes I can make to live a healthier life? We are all always learning! The team at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama strives to help members make healthy choices. One of the ways we do that is by publishing health-related articles every month that offer science-based insights and advice on how to prevent different health conditions and take steps that could improve you and your family’s health. For example, we’ve written pieces to help people with allergies and asthma, we’ve debunked myths about alcohol,  we’ve shared insights on how to lower your risk for diabetes and more. You can find these articles at AlabamaBlue.com/Articles.

Whether you look at the year as half started or half over, one thing is for certain: there are less than six months less to make the most of your health insurance! These are policies that are meant to be used, both when you’re healthy (to keep you that way) and when you’re sick (to help you feel better). If you answered “no” to any (or all) of the questions above, then it’s time to get started and put your health insurance to work.