Birthday Greetings from My Health Insurance Provider

During my birthday month, I received a birthday card from my health care provider. After reading the enclosed card expressing happy birthday thoughts, happiness and vibrancy, there was a reminder checklist to schedule medical screenings to hopefully extend good health. You might think it strange for your insurance provider to take the time to send its subscribers birthday cards but it actually is a beneficial public relations act on their part. Not only are they conveying to you a personal touch, they are also encouraging you to maintain good health practices which result in lower costs for the company and pays off in good health benefits for you. I am not being cynical but we have to admit that there is an ulterior motive on the part of the insurance company but I won't hold that public relations ploy against them and will take it for what it is worth.

Many of us may lose track or find it difficult to remember when to schedule our screenings. It may be helpful to give yourself a birthday gift by scheduling your health screenings near or around your birthday. Linking health screenings with your birth date or birth month you are less likely to forget. We all tend to have selective memory when it comes to scheduling our annual exams. My health insurance provider listed several screenings that should be included as part or your wellness routine. A few of the important screenings are discussed in this article.

Annual Flu Vaccine
For the insured over age 60, we are strongly encouraged to get an annual flu vaccine. Each year, we see television, radio and written ads stressing the current flu strain and why eligible target groups should be vaccinated. Remember, there is no truth to the belief that if you receive the flu vaccine, you will contract the flu. On the contrary, should you fall victim to the flu, the flu vaccine will help diminish the severity of the flu symptoms. The pneumonia vaccine administered every 10 years is another recommendation for individuals over age 65. Your physician will determine whether or not you are a candidate for the pneumonia vaccine.

Blood Pressure Check
Monitoring one's blood pressure was another health screening that appeared on the birthday card health screening list. Hypertension is frequently referred to as the "silent killer" and an annual blood pressure check is necessary. Many health care providers schedule appointments with their patients quarterly to head off problems and to monitor blood pressure, heart rate, and other vital functions. If you do not have a high blood pressure kit to check your blood pressure periodically, did you know that fire houses offer free blood pressure screenings on a walk in basis? I was unaware of this service until recently. Consider visiting your nearest firehouse to receive this free service.

Annual Eye Exam
An often overlooked health screening is the annual eye exam. A thorough eye examination is important for seniors especially to detect such serious eye conditions as macular degeneration, glaucoma or retinopathy. Diabetics should be especially diligent about scheduling regular comprehensive eye exams to ward of possible vision problems that could lead to vision loss. My husband recently underwent a successful cataract surgery but an undetected vision problem was discovered and although the condition is irreversible, the defective eye as well as the healthy eye is being treated to prevent further damage. Had he not kept up with his regular eye exam schedule the problem would have been undetected and further damage could have occurred.

Bone Density Test
For women especially but not at all to the exclusion of men, do not forget to include a bone mineral density test on your yearly health screening list. A bone density test will detect bone strength or weakness for the presence of osteoporosis or other related bone disorders. While it is true that more women than men suffer from this possibly debilitating disease, it is important that men be screened also.

To complete your annual health screenings list do not neglect the recommended cancer screenings such as a mammogram, colorectal and prostate screenings, cervical and Pap smear tests as will as tuberculosis and skin cancer exams. Your particular screenings may be different based upon your medical history. The important issue is to schedule your necessary screenings to ensure better health.

When you schedule your screenings and to make your appointments meaningful, bring a list of questions to be asked and write down the answers or request written information to take home with you to review. Follow up with your physician's recommendations and follow the prescribed treatment plan.

I have regularly scheduled yearly health screening exams and though I do not enjoy visiting doctors' offices no matter how plush they may be, I enjoy illness even less. So, treat yourself to a healthy, happy birthday and thank your health insurance company for sending you a birthday card that encourages you to schedule your health screenings. So, happy birthday to me and to you and treat yourself to a healthy life.