Tips to help you become a savvy health care shopper

(ARA) - The weather has warmed up. The flowers are blooming. The vacation plans are made. Summer is here. And even though it is almost time for you to choose health benefits for the coming year, there is still plenty of time to make the most of the plan you have now and maximize its value to you and your family. You can become a smarter health care shopper with these tips.

* Go online -- Even if you don't currently have health insurance there are a variety of resources available to help you do research before you visit the doctor or go to the hospital. These resources can help you find out the cost and compare the quality of the care you'll receive. Aetna makes a variety of resources available through its secure member website to help people make more informed decisions.

Now, there is information for the public available at www.aetna.com. Aetna recently added a new search function that provides personalized health and health benefits information based on thousands of medical search terms such as diabetes, hypertension or asthma. This new search feature provides information based on your zip code, such as the estimated cost of a procedure, doctors in your area who perform the service, health information content from Aetna InteliHealth, and other relevant information.

* Take advantage of mobile features -- Want to look up the status of a claim while you're standing in the doctor's office? Find a cardiologist and make an appointment during your train ride to work? Research the price of your prescription while you're in the pharmacy? All of these things are possible if you have a smart phone and your health plan offers mobile apps for people who are on the go.

There are a variety of features for smart phones including claims look-up, a special version of Aetna's online provider directory, access to your personal health record (PHR) and a Contact Us application. Now that you can get to your PHR using a mobile device, you can show it to your doctor while you are in the doctor's office. Sharing the information in your PHR is an excellent way to cut down on unnecessary tests or procedures. Using your mobile device, go to www.aetna.com.

* Get preventive care -- many health plans cover or partially cover annual physicals and preventive screenings, and may even offer discounts on gym memberships, fitness gear and nutritional supplements. See if you can take advantage of these offerings. It's a great way to save money and stay healthy.

In addition, a growing number of employers are offering wellness rewards, which are incentives for being physically active, eating a healthy diet, losing weight or quitting smoking. It can add up to hundreds of dollars a year, so find out if these types of rewards are available to you.

To get more tips for becoming a smarter health care shopper, visit www.planforyourhealth.com/family/savemoney.

Courtesy of ARAcontent