10 ways to improve your health in 2024
January 03, 2024
If your New Year’s resolutions include improving your health, here are 10 things you can do this year with a little help from Regence:
- Make sure you have a personal doctor or primary care provider. Having a personal doctor makes it easier to get care when you need it. It can take a while to get in for an initial appointment, so schedule it right away. If you need help finding an in-network doctor, try our find a doctor tool or call us at the number on your member ID card.
- Get an annual wellness visit, which is covered by most Regence plans with no out-of-pocket costs. Your doctor can assess your overall health and give you guidance on how to improve. This baseline can be very helpful as you plan health and fitness goals for the year.
- Take care of your mental health. Make self-care a priority. If you’re struggling and need help, most Regence plans cover a variety of mental health care services and resources, such as one-on-one counseling, group therapy, medication, as well as self-guided well-being tools and virtual care options. If you have questions about your mental health benefits or need help finding a provider, sign in to your account to chat online or call us at the number on your member ID card.
- Get all your recommended health screenings, such as screenings for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers. Most screenings are covered with no out-of-pocket costs if you meet criteria. Talk to your doctor about which screenings you should get this year and sign in to your account at regence.com to learn more about your coverage. It may take a few months to get in for some screenings, so get them scheduled early.
- Get vaccinated. Getting all your recommended vaccinations for diseases like flu, COVID-19, RSV and pneumonia will help you avoid illness so you can focus on improving your health. Most vaccinations are covered with no out-of-pocket costs if you meet criteria. Some vaccinations, like the flu shot, are covered annually. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for help deciding which vaccinations you should get. Sign in to your account at regence.com to learn more about your vaccine coverage.
- Stop using tobacco. Most Regence health plans cover up to eight face-to-face tobacco use cessation counseling visits during a 12-month period to help you kick the habit. Learn more on regence.com.
- Participate in a wellness program. Many employer groups insured by Regence offer a wellness program that provides incentives like gift cards and cash for participation. Programs invite you complete a health assessment, then provide personalized programs and activities that can help you reach your self-identified goals. Check your account at regence.com to learn what’s available to you.
- Take advantage of any fitness and wellness benefits included in your health plan. Some plans include discounts on health-related products and services like fitness devices and gym memberships. You may also be able to use funds from your Health Savings Account or Flex Spending Account to help pay for some of these services. Check your account at regence.com to learn what fitness and wellness benefits are included in your plan.
- Familiarize yourself with all the care options covered by your health plan. Make sure you know when you should head to the emergency room instead of an urgent care or your doctor’s office, versus the virtual care and telehealth options available with your Regence plan. Knowing the difference could save you time and money, and it’s better to figure it out now instead of when you’re sick.
- Get help making healthier choices. For example, most Regence plans cover one-on-one nutrition counseling with a dietitian to help you improve your diet. The counseling can be especially helpful if you have certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or renal kidney disease. You can also get help managing your substance use, including alcohol, drugs and other substances. Many Regence plans include access to traditional and virtual substance use disorder treatment providers such as Boulder Care, Eleanor Health (WA only) and Hazelden Betty Ford. To learn what’s available for you, sign in to your account to chat online or call us at the number on your member ID card.
Log in to your account at regence.com or call the number on the back of your insurance card to learn more about all what’s covered by your health plan.