In my last post, Fitness Reality Check, https://apartmentprepper.wordpress.com/2010/10/21/fitness-reality-check/ I mentioned going to your annual medical checkup before starting any fitness program. There are a couple more health aspects you should not neglect, especially now while these services are readily available. On a practical note, with the end of the year coming close, it’s time to consider if you’ve used all your health benefits that are due you and your family.
Dental Check-Up
We went on our dental check-ups recently. Truthfully, I neglected to go to the dentist last year, as I kept putting it off. Like many parents, we place ourselves last on the “care” list. This year, being more preparedness minded, we decided we must all go do our health and dental checkups on a timely basis. Thankfully, there were no cavities found, but I got a stern warning about going to get a cleaning on a regular basis. I had not thought about it, but a large percentage of the population over age thirty is at risk for gum disease. I recently read that even financial stress can cause gum disease! Gum disease can lead to tooth loss, as teeth and bone become unstable if the gums are unhealthy, and recently, a connection was found between chronic gum disease, heart attack and stroke. The symptoms are not always obvious, so it is best to get examined by the dentist.
If you do not have dental insurance, many dental schools offer deeply discounted services. My coworker mentioned her son is in dental school and the students work on patients, under close supervision of their instructors.
Eye Exam
Another visit to consider is the eye exam by the optometrist or ophthalmologist. Your eyesight is definitely something you don’t want to neglect, so now is the time to get your eyes checked. If you wear glasses or contacts, you’d want to consider getting a backup pair in case of emergency.
Flexible Spending Account for Medical Expenses
If you have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) in your benefits, check your balance while there is still time. Flexible Spending Account is a benefit offered by some employers in which they hold pre-tax dollars set aside by employees for their health care and medical expenses such as eyeglasses, braces, etc. This lowers your taxable income on the upside, but since these plans have a “Use it or lose it” rule, you will want to make sure you use all the funds that you contributed before the end of the year. If you have a balance and you do not have any other planned medical expenses such as elective surgery, it is a good idea to stock up on over the counter medicines such as pain relievers, allergy medicines, vitamins, etc. The rules for buying over the counter medications with FSAs will be changing next year: Beginning in 2011, FSA funds can only be used for over the counter medicines if they are prescribed by a physician.
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