How to Make the Most of Your Benefits Year-Round

For many employees, health benefits are something they think about during open enrollment—and then forget about until something goes wrong. But using your benefits proactively can help you stay healthier, save money, and reduce stress throughout the year.

Here’s how to take full advantage of your benefits year-round:

1. Schedule Preventive Care Early Most plans cover preventive care services—like annual physicals, immunizations, cancer screenings, and well-woman visits—at no cost to you when done in-network. By scheduling early in the year:

• You avoid the rush later in the year

• You detect any potential health issues early

• You make the most of your plan’s coverage while it’s fresh

  
  

2. Understand What’s Covered Take time to review your Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) or your plan guide. Knowing what’s covered—and what isn’t—can help you plan and avoid surprise bills. If your plan includes an HSA or HRA, make sure you understand how the funds are accessed, what qualifies for reimbursement, and what timelines apply.

3. Use Telehealth When Appropriate Many plans now include virtual visits or telehealth options for common conditions like cold symptoms, minor infections, therapy, and medication refills. Telehealth:

• Saves time

• Costs less than in-person visits

• Is especially helpful for working parents or those with transportation barriers

  
  

4. Check Your Networks Using in-network providers ensures you get the most coverage with the lowest out-of-pocket costs. Before scheduling:

• Confirm your provider is in-network (even if you’ve seen them before)

• Ask for cost estimates if you’re unsure

  
  

5. Review Your HSA or HRA Balances Regularly Don’t wait until the end of the year to check your balances. Make it a habit to:

• Log into your HSA/HRA portal monthly

• Track contributions and spending

• Submit receipts if required

  
  

If you have an HSA, remember you can also invest a portion of your funds to grow your balance long-term.

6. Plan for Big Expenses If you know you’ll need orthodontics, physical therapy, or a surgery, coordinate with your benefits team to plan ahead. You may want to:

• Time the procedure based on deductible/out-of-pocket max status

• Use HSA contributions to build up savings

• Get pre-authorization for services when required

  
  

7. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions If something is unclear—whether it's a bill, an EOB, or how your HRA works—ask! Working with a benefits advisor like S+H means you always have someone in your corner who can:

• Explain your coverage

• Talk to the carrier or provider on your behalf

• Help you resolve billing issues

  
  

Benefits aren’t just for emergencies. They’re tools designed to support your health, productivity, and peace of mind all year long.

Let us help you make the most of them—every step of the way.