Start the New Year with Peace of Mind: Why Now is the Best Time to Prioritize Your Health

9/25/2026

As we enter the final months of the year, to-do lists usually fill up with holiday planning and activities. Northwest Healthcare is encouraging the community to add one more essential item to that list: their health.

Many families don’t realize that by mid-year, they may have already met their health insurance deductibles. This means that for the remainder of the year, medical services – from elective procedures to specialized screenings – are often significantly more affordable.

Now is a good time to review your outstanding health care needs and take full advantage of paid-up deductibles or available funds in Flexible Spending Accounts while you still can.

“We see too many patients wait until January to address health concerns they’ve been putting off,” says Drew Emery, MHA, market CEO of Northwest Healthcare. “By scheduling your care before December 31, you aren’t just maximizing your insurance benefits, you’re gifting yourself peace of mind so you can start the next year feeling your best.”

Most health insurance plans have a deductible requirement – a predetermined amount of healthcare expense that must be covered before the plan begins paying the majority of, if not all, remaining expenses.

Emery says it’s crucial to know how close you are to meeting your deductible – or if you’ve already met it, “because once you reach that threshold, you have a limited window of opportunity to obtain health care services and have the bulk of that expense covered by your plan. Remember: a new year brings a new deductible,” he says.

Whether it’s a procedure you’ve been considering, a lingering check-up, or essential screenings, the hospital and clinics have staff members who can help you understand and navigate your coverage. Emery encourages you to make the most of your benefits by scheduling your care now.

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