beniebuzz blog

It’s that time of year! That’s right…the “Best of 2014” lists are everywhere! So, we thought we’d join the fun and provide our top 5 freshbenies articles from 2014. Without further ado…enjoy!

1) 40 Million Reasons (OK, 4) You Need ID Theft Protection 

Did you shop at Target the few days before Christmas? 

My friend said, "It was GREAT. The store was totally empty and I could get everything I needed quickly. Of course, I have identity theft protection so I wasn’t really that concerned!”

When is the last time you had a health issue and wished you could just call a doctor for help or to answer a question or to get a prescription for a simple ailment? 

Did you hit your health insurance deductible this year? As we near the end of the year…chances are, you didn’t get anywhere near your deductible or out-of-pocket max. 

To help out this year AND next year (it’s never too late to start planning!), we’re answering some frequently asked questions to make sure you get the most out of your policy with the least impact on your budget!

TIP #1: Start with the basics.

How’s your vision? Do you ever wonder if LASIK or laser surgery would help? The first time I ever heard of LASIK was from a friend who decided to have it done in the 90’s when it first came out. She went to Canada for a couple days and stayed in a hotel to recuperate because it was approved in Canada before the US. 

Here’s an easy question: have you seen your family’s healthcare costs increase? The stats say your insurance premium rose 69% since 10 years ago.

Do random people ask you personal questions about their healthcare? I’ve worked in the benefits consulting industry – specifically, health insurance, for 25+ years – so, I get it a lot! 

Since I have some experience that might be helpful, below are my 3 tips for saving on your healthcare costs…

1. Ask Questions

Did you know Americans spend almost $3 trillion a year on medical care? That’s a big number, but what’s scarier is this: it’s estimated that about 30% is spent on unnecessary care. What? Since the average family spends $3600 each year in out of pocket costs – avoiding unnecessary care is worth about $1,000 savings. 

Is it just me or does there seem to be more overweight kids running around (or maybe I should say, “not running around”)? According to the US Center for Disease Control (CDC), it’s not just me. Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years. In 2012, more than 1 in 3 children and adolescents were overweight or obese.