Benefits

We all know the concept of employee benefits, but for most, that is where our knowledge base stops. Many do not understand what benefits cover or how to find that information. It explains why 58 percent of people do not use their benefits. Would you be shocked to learn that 35 percent of people don’t understand their benefits? Why is that? Some might say:

• Hard to figure out
• I do not have time to bother with it.
• I don’t know where to start or whom to ask.

These are a few reasons people continue not using their benefits. The almost comical part is that we prepay for them. Not using your benefits could be likened to waiting for the end of the year and burning your money. You are not even giving it away because if you gave it away, at least you might feel good about it. Do not fear. We will help you make sense of your benefits, get you healthier, and get you on the right track to use something you are already paying for.

1. Information
2. How to use your benefits effectively (how to get the most out of your benefits)
3. How to Claim (Pro Tip Monthly Statement vs Per appointment)

 Information

 You can obtain it via your HR department, and If you don’t have an HR department, you can always call the service provider you have your benefits with to see and inquire about your specific coverage. Most insurance companies have online portals that you can log into (please see the links below to sign up)

• GreatWest Life (now Canada life)
• Sunlife
• Manulife
• Green shield

The links above are a great place to start. You may ask yourself, “Why would I want to do all this”? Because regardless of your age, taking proper CARE of yourself is essential. Getting the help you need keeps you mentally, physically, and emotionally strong, and getting the help you are entitled to will show up in your life in ways you never thought possible.

How to use your benefits effectively.

Now that you know your coverage, we are ready to talk about how to get the most out of your benefits. A common question is, “how and where do I start”? The good news is that you do not have to reinvent the wheel. This is where you can reach out to those people (practitioners) on your healthcare team to create a personalized plan for you.

We often encounter people waiting or holding on to their benefits for something terrible to happen (they get hurt, for example, and want to have benefits available to them). This is a reactive way to approach your benefits. Often, nothing happens, and then people struggle to see their healthcare people because October, November, and December are their busiest times. Think of your body as a car. If you do not take care of your car monthly (get gas, oil changes, and tire inspection), the likelihood of something happening is more significant. If you proactively do all those things, your car runs smoothly. Your body works the same way. Proactively getting treatment spaced out over the year will help your body perform at its optimal level.

Bottom line: Reach out to your healthcare team and ask for their help to create a tailored plan throughout the year to keep you running at your optimal level. (Free 20min assessment call with all Robin’s Nest Practitioners)

How to Claim

You are on your way; well done getting the help you need. Now the third and final step is submitting a claim. Most insurance companies have an online submission. Through your online portal (from step 1), you can upload a digital copy of the invoice you’ve been sent via email.

Pro Tip: if you have multiple appointments over the month, you can get a monthly statement and submit that monthly statement once instead of for each appointment. Suppose you have a routine and find it easier to submit multiple times; then all the power to you.

You’re a benefits pro now. You are no longer burning your money at the end of each calendar year and are proactively using something you are entitled to. Well done!

We love to see people getting the CARE they need; The Robin’s Nest Family Care team is always here to help you in your healthcare journey. Please feel free to call or email us if you have any questions, benefit-related or not. We look forward to your calls.