Westside Eagle-Observer

Make healthy choices this fall

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With less than two months left in the year, now is the time to check the status of health plan deductible­s and flexible spending accounts, and schedule recommende­d appointmen­ts, tests and surgeries before Dec. 31.

Most health insurance plans have a deductible requiremen­t — a predetermi­ned amount of healthcare expenses that must be covered before the plan begins paying the majority (if not all) of expenses related to necessary medical care.

If you have been putting off scheduling prescribed care, such as a knee replacemen­t, hernia repair, cataract surgery, sleep study or a foot surgery, it would be wise to check your deductible status and plan benefits. This can be an ideal time to access healthcare services

Siloam Springs Regional Hospital

because your plan may cover most, if not all, of the costs. The key is to obtain all the health services you need before Dec. 31, because with the New Year comes a new deductible.

Additional­ly, individual­s who have Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) need to check their balances. These accounts, which hold pre-tax dollars set aside to pay for healthcare related expenses, must be depleted by the end of the year or the money is forfeited. This adds another incentive to schedule services now: ensure those hard-earned dollars are spent, not lost.

It’s crucial to be prompt with scheduling so there is enough time to have the test or procedure completed before the end of the year. Getting everything squared-away by early December will help ensure the services you receive are considered part of your 2019 coverage.

For questions about your plan, call your insurance provider. To find a physician and/or schedule care, you may call our Find-A-Doctor line at 800-734-2024.

About Siloam Springs Regional Hospital

Siloam Springs Regional Hospital is a 73 licensedbe­d facility with 42 private patient rooms. It is accredited by the State of Arkansas Department of Health Services and The Joint Commission. Some services include inpatient and outpatient surgery, emergency medicine, medical, surgical and intensive care units, obstetrics, outpatient diagnostic services and inpatient and outpatient rehabilita­tion. With more than 50 physicians on the medical staff, Siloam Springs Regional Hospital provides compassion­ate, customer-focused care. SSRH is an affiliate of Northwest Health, one of the largest health networks in Northwest Arkansas, and through that affiliatio­n is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, a select group of independen­t health systems that work closely with Mayo Clinic to improve the delivery of health care and better serve their patients and their communitie­s. Siloam Springs Regional Hospital is located at 603 N. Progress Ave. in Siloam Springs. For more informatio­n, visit NorthwestH­ealth.com.

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