Managing your health

During a pandemic, make sure to take these steps

by Eric Hannah

Despite orders to shelter-in-place, many people may have new or recurring, non-pandemic related healthcare needs. The COVID-19 crisis makes prevention and health maintenance a priority. Yet, how do we navigate our healthcare needs when we are being asked to stay home?

Plug into the right resources to stay abreast of the pandemic. There are many sensationalized media sources and click bait on social media. Sources like the World Health Organization (WHO), Center for Disease Control (CDC), and the local health departments have current and fact-based information.

Think primary care first. We have become accustomed to associate healthcare immediately with the hospital. Outside of a clear emergency, the hospital (Emergency Room) should rarely be the first stop. Primary care physicians can assess the problem, even remotely, and provide guidance on the appropriate next step.

Telehealth is gaining traction. As we stay home, we are acclimating to engaging our neighbors, co-workers, and family via web-based platforms. Enter telehealth. Telehealth is remote access to a medical provider, typically in association with your health insurance plan. In the absence of primary care (off-hours, or if you don’t have one), telehealth is a trusted first step to assess the issue, potentially fill a prescription, and provide navigation guidance. Use of telehealth is also being expanded to several provider types, including behavioral health.

Refill via mail order. During the pandemic, insurers are loosening limitations to mail order and encouraging patients to mail order to support them staying home as well as saving money by purchasing medication in greater quantities.

Use Your Health Savings (HSA) or Flex Spending Accounts (FSA). The CARES Act has broadened the qualified Managing your health medical expense rules allowing for more over-the-counter (OTC) products to be purchased using pre-tax money. If you are not sure if you qualify, you should check with your employer.

If you have an employer-sponsored health plan, check with an administrator to learn more about how these features can be accessed. If you have an individual or marketplace plan, your insurance carrier will have this information on their website.

Stay strong, stay healthy.

Eric Hannah is the president and chief catalyst at Mode Health. Mode Health provides agile employee benefits for the modern small business by focusing on health literacy and healthcare navigation first, insurance second. Reach him at (517) 899-3404.