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Tag: plan benefits

Recommended vaccines for children from birth through age six

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A child’s immune system is exposed to numerous germs every day. While babies are born with antibodies that offer protection against some diseases, the protection is temporary. Vaccines given from birth to age six help protect kids from viruses and bacteria that cause serious diseases. Many of these diseases are uncommon in the United States because vaccines are doing their job. During well-child visits, talk to your pediatrician about the recommended immunizations for children.

7 ways to lower your healthcare costs

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As the cost of healthcare continues to rise, it’s important to learn what your health plan covers and take steps to limit your out-of-pocket expenses. The healthcare system can be complex and difficult to navigate, but as a smart consumer you can find significant savings if you know where to look—and if you play an active role in making the most of your benefits. Here are seven ways to save on healthcare.

Get the most from your pharmacy benefits

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Your pharmacist is an important member of your healthcare team. In addition to teaching you how to use prescription and over-the-counter medicines safely and effectively, your pharmacist can help you avoid harmful interactions with other medications, supplements, food, and beverages. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your pharmacy benefits.

Treatment cost advisor tools: Estimate expenses before you choose care

When you make a purchase, whether you’re buying a gallon of milk or a new car, you know what something costs before you buy it. But understanding the cost of healthcare up front isn’t as easy. Too often, you don’t know how much healthcare costs until you receive a bill from a provider or a statement from your health plan. Fortunately, most health plans offer treatment cost estimators and other tools that help you calculate your costs before you receive medical care.

A guide to getting the most from your health benefits

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Health insurance provides essential benefits that help you maintain your health and well-being, access care for accidents and illnesses, and protect you from unexpected medical costs. If you’re not sure how your health plan works or what it covers, you may not be maximizing the benefits available to you—and you could end up paying more for healthcare. Here are some tips to help you get the most from your health plan.

How to quit smoking: 5 tips to help you resist tobacco cravings

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Smoking harms nearly every organ in the body and is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Smokeless tobacco causes cancer of the mouth and can lead to nicotine addiction. If you use tobacco, you know you should quit. In fact, most adults who smoke cigarettes want to quit. And most adults who smoked cigarettes in the past have successfully quit. If you’ve tried quitting but started smoking or chewing tobacco again, a solid plan can improve your chances of quitting for good.

Virtual visits: Preparing for your telehealth appointment

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Virtual visits offer convenient access to health care 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Rather than scheduling an in-person appointment at a doctor’s office, you can video chat or speak with a provider using a smartphone, computer, or tablet. It’s a great way to get the care you need for minor health conditions without leaving home. Following a few tips will help you get the most from your telehealth visits.

Deductibles, copays, and coinsurance: Understanding the out-of-pocket costs of health insurance

Health insurance can be confusing. It isn’t always easy to understand the different costs that may be part of your health plan. Premiums, deductibles, copays, coinsurance, out-of-pocket maximums—if you’re not really sure what these terms mean, you’re not alone. Educating yourself about how health insurance works can help you plan ahead, calculate how much you may need to pay for your health care, and make the most of your health plan.

Well-child visits: Keep your kids healthy with regular checkups

Preventive health care can help us stay healthy. That’s why doctors recommend annual physicals for adults. Pediatricians recommend well-child checkups for kids and teens because prevention is particularly important for young people. Regular exams and tests are an effective way to track your child’s health and development. And, catching health issues early can increase the chances of finding a treatment or a cure.

Flu shots 101: What you need to know

Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory infection that circulates around the world each year and usually hits the United States between October and May. The viruses that cause the flu are most often spread by coughing, sneezing, or close contact.

Anyone can get the flu. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it tends to strike suddenly and can last for several days. Although it has some of the same symptoms as the common cold—a runny or stuffy nose, cough, sore throat, and fatigue—the flu can lead to pneumonia, blood infections, or even death. Other symptoms of the flu include fever, body aches, headache, and chills.

Preventive care can help you stay healthy

Preventive health care includes services like doctor checkups and routine screenings that can help prevent diseases and other health problems. Taking advantage of your preventive care benefits can help you stay healthy and discover a health issue before it becomes a serious problem. Treatment is often more effective when an illness is detected early.

Are you eligible to enroll in an APWU Health Plan?

APWU Health Plan has been providing comprehensive healthcare coverage at an affordable price since 1960. The Health Plan is a national preferred provider organization (PPO) that offers both a fee-for-service High Option plan and a Consumer Driven Option plan. Both options are open to most employees and retirees covered under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program.

Get a personalized plan for achieving your health goals

A Health Risk Assessment is an online program available to all APWU Health Plan members that helps determine your risk for certain health conditions and gives you a personalized plan for achieving your specific health goals. Health Risk Assessments analyze your health-related responses and create a profile with information to put you on a path toward good physical and mental health.

Enroll in a health benefits plan during Open Season

Open Season is the period of time each year when you need to enroll in a health plan for the upcoming year. For postal and federal employees and retirees, the Open Season dates are set by law and run from the Monday of the second full work week in November through the Monday of the second full work week in December.