12 Health Care Benefits To Use Before Year’s End (Or Lose Them Forever)

As we approach the final months of 2024, it’s a good time to do a check on your health care benefits. After all, you want to avoid wasting money as you head into a new year.

But it can be a bit overwhelming to understand your benefits and what you have remaining. Here are some of the best health care benefits to make sure you use before the end of the year.

1. Use up your dental insurance

Don’t leave money on the table when it comes to your dental insurance.

If you have some benefits left, schedule any needed treatments before the end of the year. If you don’t need any work done, you could do preventative treatments such as cleanings and x-rays.

2. Maximize your health care deductible use

This is definitely something to keep in mind as the end of the year approaches, especially if you’ve met your deductible for 2024.

After you do that, then your insurance really starts paying for things. So, this is an ideal time to schedule doctor appointments or procedures. After all, the deductible will be reset next year.

3. Stock up the medicine cabinet

Give yourself an early holiday gift, and stock up the medicine cabinet before the end of the year.

Use those flexible spending account (FSA) funds before you lose them. This is especially good to keep in mind when your employer contributes money into the account.

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4. Buy contacts or glasses

Once you’ve taken advantage of those dental benefits, move on to vision ones.

You can take advantage of the vision benefits to buy new contacts or glasses, or maybe even some sunglasses.

5. Fill your prescriptions

Check out your prescriptions as the end of the year approaches.

If you’ve met your deductible, perhaps you can fill your monthly prescriptions one more time before we ring in 2025. Keep in mind that some prescriptions limit how often you can refill them.

6. Contribute to your HSA plan

Are you on top of your health savings account (HSA)? This is the one where you can put money away for medical needs throughout the year.

The good news? That money doesn’t expire at the end of the year and rolls over. Even better news? You could maximize your contribution now, reach the total allowable amount for the tax year, and potentially lower your annual tax obligation.

7. Take your time off

Here’s some two-part advice about your paid time off (PTO) as we approach 2025.

First, use up your PTO before the end of the year comes and it probably expires. Even if you don’t take a vacation, take the time off to relax, recharge and perhaps start some healthy habits for the new year.

8. Cash out your time off

Speaking of PTO, you could also check into cashing it out.

Your company may pay you for the PTO you haven’t taken. Perhaps you could put the money away into your retirement account, especially if you haven’t yet met your allowable contribution.

9. Renew your gym membership now

Are you the type who makes resolutions for the new year?

Maybe your new year's resolution is to lose weight or regularly go to the gym. If so, your employer or health insurance provider might offer you access to a gym membership.

The end of the year is a good time to take advantage and start or renew your membership.

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10. Consider a weight-loss specialist

Perhaps a weight-loss specialist is needed to help manage your exercise and diet.

Use this last part of 2024 to find out if your health insurance covers specialized treatment options. You may find you need your physician to document your need for these treatments. You can schedule the first appointment now to cover it under your deductible this year.

11. Get the non-smoking products you need

Maybe your resolution for 2025 is to stop smoking.

Your health insurance and FSA coverage may cover smoking-cessation products and services. Look to see if things such as nicotine replacement therapy or patches are covered.

12. Set up your sleep study

If you’ve been having trouble sleeping or feeling tired during the day, your doctor may have suggested a sleep study.

Perhaps you’ve been putting it off because it’s a hassle to schedule or you don’t want another health care expense. Since those studies are often covered by health insurance, why not do it soon before your deductible resets? You might save money and start the new year with a new perspective on your health.

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Bottom line

As you can see, there are several areas of your health care benefits to check out before the calendar turns to a new year.

You might also see if you can save money shopping for medical gear or cash in on chiropractor benefits before 2025. Before you start, review your policies and call your insurance company with any questions.

Money tips that can work for everyone

No matter what your bank account balance is, there's always an opportunity to optimize and improve your finances. Here's a quick checklist of things you can look at today.

Focus on paying off your debt. Debt can hold you back from making progress with your overall financial well-being. Aside from cutting expenses, there are tools that can help you pay off debt faster like balance transfer credit cards and debt counseling.

Earning extra income can give you breathing room. If finances are tight, earning some extra money to supplement your income can make a huge difference. A new job is one option to consider, but if you're not ready to make a big change or already retired, a part-time side job could be a better choice.

Cut your expenses. It sounds painful and so not fun, but it doesn't have to be. Take a look at your biggest expenses because that's where you'll probably find the biggest savings. For example, auto insurance rates have been soaring so shopping around for a new insurance company can be the fastest way to cut your bill. Also, look for ways to cut your grocery bill (despite rising inflation).