Tracey Baker, a Certified Financial Planner, from FPA.

As always thanks for your time and consideration. Health Benefits Tips: Put As Much As $4,000 Back in Your Bank Account 1. Save with Mail Order Many health plans offer discounts if you use mail-order pharmacies for routine medications. You could get a three-month supply of your drug but only pay for a two-month prescription. So, if your family spends $50 per month on prescriptions, you could save about $200 per year. You would likely take advantage of a “buy two, get one free” deal at a department store or grocery store, so why not do it with your prescriptions as well? 2. Go Generic Last year, the average brand name prescription drug cost about $85 more than the average generic[1]. By switching just one prescription from a brand name drug to a generic, you could save more than $1,000 a year. Assuming you spend about $100 at the grocery store, that money could cover about 10 shopping trips. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns, but generally doctors also recommend generics. 3. Stay Inside the Network Make sure your doctor is in your health plans network. Even if your health benefits plan has out-of-network benefits, it usually costs considerably less to use an in-network physician. Something as basic as a simple outpatient surgical procedure could cost you as much as $1,500 if you go out-of-network. If your doctor is not in the network, see if he or she will consider joining. Dont let your money go to waste you could use the savings to help cover your familys summer vacation. 4. Visit Your Doctor Online Some doctors offer online consultations, which are often more convenient than in-person visits. Talk to your doctor or your insurer to find out how to use online visits properly. By using them reasonably, you could save gas money as well as valuable time. 5. Improve Your Health to Save Money Many health insurance companies offer “wellness incentives,” which are often considerable. As an example, you could earn $600 for exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet. Ask your health benefits provider how to get started. Just for staying healthy and filling your insurance company in on your everyday activities, you could earn enough money for about ten fill-ups at the gas station, assuming you drive a mid-sized economy car. Keeping your health benefits company updated on your health also enables them to tailor your health program to fit your needs. 6. Spend Your FSA Cash Even with endless “use it or lose it” reminders about year-end money disappearing from Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), many people still dont spend all their dollars each year. Each year, 14 percent of consumers leave an average of $723 in their FSA. You don’t get that money back. Find out what your FSA covers. You may be able to stock up on sun block, allergy medicine, calamine lotion and prescription sunglasses. http://www.planforyourhealth.com