Schedule Your Health Checkups

We all know just how important preventive care is, but even at the best of times, it can take a while to get in and see your doctors or dentist due to either your (or their) busy schedule! Putting a date on the calendar — even if it’s a few months from now — is the first step in the right direction.

Small Step: Set Up Your Appointments

Call or use an online scheduler, if available, to set up appointments at your physicians’ and dentist’s offices for your annual checkup; any necessary immunizations; cancer, vision, and hearing screenings as applicable; and teeth cleanings — which are suggested twice a year.

Try using these tips* when you’re scheduling your appointments to make the day-of visit go more smoothly:

Avoid Mondays — they’re generally the busiest day for most doctors.
Ask for the first appointment of the day or the first appointment after lunch.
Ask to receive any forms ahead of time and complete them in advance to help shorten your time spent in the office

As you get closer to your appointment times, you can always call back and reschedule if you’re still not ready to go in — but don’t put important preventive care off for too long. Many health needs, if caught early on, can be mitigated or greatly improved upon by getting a head start on care and treatment. When you see your doctor annually, you feel better and perform better for the people you serve.

*Sources:
Humana’s “Understand Your Plan 2021 Retiree Coverage” booklet

Motivated to do more?

If you have ELCA-Primary health benefits with Portico:

Visit myPortico for a list of in-network preventive services covered at 100% by the ELCA Health Plan.
Call the Portico Care Coordinators by Quantum Health at 877.851.5656 or visit health.PorticoBenefits.org to use the new Care Finder^TM tool to find in-network providers and get answers about your benefits or billing practices for preventive visits.
Many everyday doctor visits can now be held via the 98point6^® app, for $0 or $5 copay. Don’t wait for an illness or health concern; download the app and set up an account to be ready. Once ready, have a text-based visit with a primary care provider 24/7.
See if you’re eligible for Omada^®, a program designed to help you lose weight, gain energy, and improve your overall health.
Join the Burnalong Refill Your Cup Challenge to reenergize your body with their over 13,000 online health and fitness classes. Participate in 100 minutes of classes during the month of February to complete the challenge.

If you have ELCA Medicare-Primary health benefits with Portico:

Call Humana at 888.445.4788 with questions about preventive services covered under your group Medicare Advantage plan.
Check Humana’s virtual wellness class calendar for class options which can help you improve your physical and emotional well-being.

If you have ELCA dental benefits with Portico:

You have access to preventive dental services covered at 100% by the plan. Call Delta Dental at 800.448.3815 with questions about your benefits or use their Find a Dentist tool to find in-network dentists.

This information should not be considered or used as a substitute for professional health care advice. By providing this information, Portico Benefit Services is not providing any medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Each individual is responsible for his or her own health and medical treatment decisions. You should talk with your doctor to determine the lifestyle changes and health care treatment options appropriate for you.