Wellness - ClaimLinx

4 Reasons You Still Need Health Insurance Even If You’re Young and Healthy

by ClaimLinxDecember 4, 2021January 19, 20221 Comment

Health insurance isn’t usually at the top of your must-have list when you’re young, healthy, and just starting your adult life. But it should be.

Health insurance gives you peace of mind that if you’re injured or sick, a trip to the doctor or hospital won’t bankrupt you.

If you’re still on the fence about buying medical insurance, here are four other reasons you still need health insurance, even if you’re young and healthy.

1. Accidents Can and Do Happen – And They Can be Expensive

You can’t predict the future. Accidents can happen anytime, whether it’s a car accident, fall or sports injury.

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, accidents account for 45% of deaths of people aged 20-24. However, injuries are far more common, and they can be costly.

Without health insurance, you’ll be left to foot the bill if you’re hurt in an accident. The mean cost of hospital stays in 2016 was $11,700, and prices have increased over the last five years. Unfortunately, few people are financially prepared for such high costs of care.

2. Insurance Plans Can Help You Stay Healthy

Health insurance isn’t only there for when you’re sick or injured. Many preventive services are also covered by insurance, thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Routine screenings and checkups may identify health issues early on, allowing you to take action before they progress into something more serious. Regular screenings and health exams can help detect:

High blood pressure
Prediabetes
Colon cancer
Lung cancer
High cholesterol
Depression, and more

Having health insurance when you’re young and healthy can help you stay young and healthy.

3. Insurance May Be More Affordable Than You Think

Many young adults put off buying health insurance because they assume they can’t afford it. Right now, you’re just getting started in life, and you may already be stretching your budget thin.

However, health insurance may be more affordable than you think, especially if you truly are healthy. Additionally, tax credits and subsidies can help lower premium or out-of-pocket costs.

4. You Have Peace of Mind That You’re Covered

When you’re young and healthy, it’s hard to imagine being sick or injured. But it can happen. Having health insurance will give you peace of mind that if the worst should happen, you’re covered.

A simple broken leg or a multi-day stay at the hospital can cost thousands of dollars without health insurance. Without insurance coverage, you could find yourself responsible for paying the entire bill out of pocket.

Data shows that 66.5% of bankruptcies in the U.S. are because of medical bills. More than 500,000 families file for bankruptcy each year because they cannot afford the cost of medical care. Having health insurance can help prevent this worst-case scenario, and may help protect your financial future should you be faced with a medical emergency.

Even if you’re young and healthy, you never know what tomorrow holds. Illness can strike at any time. Without health insurance, you may find yourself struggling to cover the cost of treatment.

Employers: call us for help cutting costs to get through “stay at home” orders

by ClaimLinxMarch 24, 2020March 24, 2020Leave a comment

As of Monday, March 23, 2020, the Ohio Governor issued a mandatory “stay at home” order. It comes on the heels of previous business closures because of social distancing guidelines. Like in many states, the order will continue until the beginning of April. It’s all in hopes of stopping the spread of the novel Coronavirus.

But for many businesses it’s already causing severe financial pain.

Remember, ClaimLinx’s primary concern is savings clients money on health insurance. We know how important health coverage is, especially at a time like this. Our consultants are ready to talk you through how to cut employers’ health insurance costs. We know it’s more important now than ever.

Please contact service@claimlinx.com or call (513) 985-4465 to set up a meeting if you are considering laying off employees or cutting their hours.

Changes to Claimlinx’s Service

The mandatory “stay at home” order in Ohio, where Claimlinx’s main office is located, began on Monday, March 23 and will continue until April 6. Claimlinx employees are able to continue working remotely, but we are making some adjustments to our mailing services.

Because we are an Insurance Institution, we are considered an essential business, as outlined in the order. So we will still have some employees going to our office to maintain services. But we are limiting this as much as possible. For that reason, we do anticipate some delays in mailing.

We expect this primarily to impact mailing explanations of benefits (EOBs) and member ID cards. Temporarily, we will be sending all member ID cards digitally first and sending a hard copy later. Members can always contact help@claimlinx.com if they need a copy of an EOB.

Contact us before cutting employees’ hours

Already we have had clients who are considering placing employees on furlough or moving them to part time. Our consultants already have strategies for how to use this time to cut costs while still providing benefits.

We are here to help companies get through this trying time. Many employers are worried about how long the pause in the economy will last and what affect it will have on their bottom line. We know, too, they are worried about their workers.

Contact service@claimlinx.com or call (513) 985-4465 to set up a meeting. Our consultants will go over your immediate options and any other long-term planning that may be needed.

Some employers may be able to take advantage of already existing rules on coverage to save on insurance premiums in the coming months. Some employers may need to stop providing insurance for any employees who are laid off. We would like to be there to offer our services to help these people navigate the marketplace so they don’t experience any lapses in coverage.

ClaimLinx is here for all of its clients, especially when trying to cut costs because of financial strains.

Changes for members during Coronavirus “stay at home” order

by ClaimLinxMarch 24, 2020March 24, 2020Leave a comment

As of Monday, March 23, 2020 a mandatory “stay at home” order was issued for the state of Ohio, where ClaimLinx’s main office is located. To help prevent the spread of the novel Coronavirus, Governor Mike Dewine has mandated all nonessential businesses close their offices until Monday, April 6, 2020. Claimlinx employees are able to continue working remotely, but we are making some adjustments to our services.

Mailing is Changing

It’s a priority for us that our clients and members can access their health coverage services, especially during this time. But it’s also a priority for us to protect our employees. So at this time, we expect delays when it comes to mailing out member ID cards and explanations of benefits (EOBs).

When it comes to member ID cards, we will be sending first a digital copy for the member to use. Then we will send a printed version later. If any member would like a copy of his or her member ID, please contact help@claimlinx.com or start a conversation with a team member now using our Live Chat feature.

Because we do not want too many people in our offices at once, we do expect to have some delays when it comes to mailing documents to members. If you have any questions about a claim or would like to receive a copy of your EOB, you can email help@claimlinx.com or start a conversation with a team member now using our Live Chat feature.

Contact and Processing Will Continue

As employees are able to work remotely and take turns going to our office, we are not anticipating any delays in claims processing at this time. We have worked hard in the last two years to make this process mostly digital. So our claims processors are expected to be able to continue without much interruption.

There will continue to be service team members available if you have questions about coverage, a prior claim or if you need a copy of your member ID. As is always the case, if you are sick or in need of medical attention, please contact your provider first.

We would also like to remind our members that local cases of the virus may be putting a strain on the healthcare system in your area. This may have an affect on your regular care. Please be proactive about checking with your provider about changes to any necessary upcoming appointments.

Your local pharmacy may also be experiencing limited hours or delays in filling regular prescriptions. Please check your stock of any regular prescriptions. Be sure to have them filled as early as possible to avoid any interruptions.

Please also remember that members still have access to the member portal for the remainder of March. That means you can still check on claims or print any important EOBs. Starting April 1, 2020, all members will need to reach out to our team directly to get these documents.

ClaimLinx will continue to communicate with members via email and through our website. Please look for any updates there. Stay healthy and we hope these interruptions in service for all of us are as short as possible.

Autumn Health Tips From ClaimLinx

by ClaimLinxNovember 15, 201916 Comments

Colder weather is here, and the leaves are changing colors in the throes of autumn. ClaimLinx is ready to celebrate the harvest, Thanksgiving, and upcoming winter holidays. In today’s blog, ClaimLinx discusses autumn wellness tips to keep you and your family healthy as the year comes to a close.

Boost Your Immune System

Fall time means allergies, colds, and flu. Boost your immune system by eating healthier with more fruits and vegetables loaded with vitamins and minerals. Wash your hands more often and carry plenty of hand sanitizer with you to prevent the spread of germs. Since you might wash your hands more often during flu season, invest in a bottle of quality hand lotion for softer skin. Support your immune system by drinking plenty of water and getting seven to eight hours of sleep per night.

Maintain Food Safety

Fall time means Halloween, Thanksgiving, holiday parties, and plenty of delicious food. Maintain food safety practices by cooking food thoroughly and to the correct temperatures, and keep food prep surfaces clean to prevent cross-contamination. ClaimLinx believes food safety is an important part of ensuring healthy and enjoyable family gatherings.

Head Outside

Fall brings gorgeous scenery thanks to beautiful leaves. Entire hillsides sing with red, orange, yellow, and brown hues during autumn. Bring out the warmer clothing before taking a hike, jog, bike ride, or drive to enjoy the signs of the season. Getting more sunlight during the fall increases your vitamin D, which improves your mood and helps your body function properly.

Maintain a Routine

Your routine faces several challenges in the fall months. Kids have sports practice, school recitals, and teacher-parent conferences. Family members might come in from out of town, or you might travel for the holidays. Children also have days off of school for holidays. All of these events could end up disrupting your healthy daily routine.

Maintain your routine by planning for healthy living in advance. Prep meals on the weekends, maintain a regular sleep schedule, find time for fun activities, and get the kids in bed at the right hour every night. Even when Daylight Savings Time ends, you can still keep the same routine despite less sunlight during the day. ClaimLinx expects that a regular routine makes you healthier and more productive in everything you do.

Fall Health and ClaimLinx

Our fall health tips will help you and your family stay strong during cooler months. We utilize a holistic strategy, called the ClaimLinx Simple Option Solution, to save businesses money on health insurance. Contact ClaimLinx or call (800) 858-1772 for more information.

Have a happy healthy summer with these tips

by Whitney FaberJune 7, 2019June 7, 2019Leave a comment

It’s officially summer. That means longer days, more sunshine and hopefully more time to enjoy friends, family and the outdoors. This year, start your summer off right with these quick tips for making the most of this sweet, sunny season.

Tips for enjoying the home – Use this summer to reclaim joy in your home and your town.

Rediscover your yard – Sometimes all the nature you need is right in your own backyard. Have dinner as a picnic, plan a Friday night camp out, or even rent or buy a projector for an open-air movie night.
Be a tourist in your town – All residents have places in their towns where they might go if they were a tourist, but have never gone as a local. Try a new restaurant, go to the town museum, finally make it out to the summer fair or festival. You might even find a new favorite place along the way.
Channel your inner child – Think back to when summer was full of endless possibilities and reclaim that feeling by bringing a little silliness into your life. Plan a trip to the local water or amusement park, go to the park up the street, mow a maze into your lawn or start a scavenger hunt around the neighborhood. Just make sure it’s something that makes you smile.

Tips for enjoying vacation – Family trips are fun, but they can also be stressful and exhausting.

Think small and more often – The temptation to make every trip “once in a lifetime” can be intoxicating, but big trips aren’t any more fun or memorable than smaller ones. For your next trip, take the pressure off by planning something easy to get to and less expensive. You might even be able to take more than one vacation that way.
Enjoy the planning phase – Anticipation of a trip can sometimes be just as fun as the trip itself: picturing yourself on vacation, reading up on new foods or activities, talking to others about what you want to do. Revel in this process as much as you can, it can only make the enjoyment of the trip more fun.
Manage your expectations – Try not to fantasize too much about your trip. You may need to work while you’re out, have a long drive ahead, need to corral children to different locations, do housework. Know these activities are in your future, accept it and focus on the joy that surrounds these less pleasurable activities.

No matter what’s in your future this summer, the best advice is always to try make the most of each moment. Take time for yourself, your friends and your family.