Most of us think of health insurance in terms of treating injuries and illnesses while keeping costs affordable. But your healthcare plan can do a lot more than just help you when you’re sick or hurt; it can actually help you get healthier and stay that way through various wellness programs.

The concept is fairly simple: Health insurance providers realized that providing care for a healthy group of people is more affordable. Because promoting wellness keeps their costs down, they pass along some of those savings to you through free or discounted wellness programs.

For those of you considering your New Year’s resolutions, you might be excited to learn that your health insurance plan might cover (or offer significant savings toward) the cost of programs such as:

• Smoking cessation
• Addiction treatment
• Weight loss support
• Medical weight loss treatment or surgery
• Nutrition coaching
• Gym memberships
• … and possibly more, depending upon your plan

Of course, these programs don’t just help you live a happier, more fulfilling life. When you work to improve your health and wellness, you can also lower your out-of-pocket spending on healthcare expenses such as deductibles, copayments, and medications.

As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. We all know that losing weight can reduce the odds of developing diabetes, heart disease, and many other ailments. Quitting smoking, drinking alcohol, or other unhealthy habits can lower your risk of cancer. And just the simple act of eating better and exercising regularly can ward off everything from chronic disease to the common cold.

You save money, your health insurance provider saves money, and everyone is happy. But how do you know which wellness programs your healthcare plan offers? Talk to one of our licensed agents who can provide you with group or individual plan options. Remember, we’re here to help you understand your plan’s benefits so that you can make maximum use of your plan.