For many teachers, summer offers time to rest, reflect, and refocus. After a busy year and many students, the break is an opportunity to care for their health, in mind, body, and spirit. But the summer isn’t just about relaxing, it can also be the perfect time to steward the use of employee health benefits and maximize them to the most of what they offer.

Utilizing your benefits wisely can help you save money, access quality care, and ensure long-term wellbeing. Planning ahead, utilizing cost-saving strategies, and prioritizing mental health, means that teachers can return to the classroom feeling refreshed, equipped, and better prepared to serve their students with energy and purpose.

1. Review Your Coverage: Review any changes to your health plan during the Open Enrolment period (June 1-30) or throughout the year by accessing your Benefits Portal Login. Whether you've chosen a different Flex Plan or just need a reminder, reviewing your coverage before the coming school year ensures you have time to make a thoughtful plan for any appointments you want to make or important benefits you want to make the most of. Consider questions like:
   1. What paramedical services are the most important to you? Are you clear on what services are covered and what's not?
   2. Do you have prescriptions that will need refilling? Are your medications on the DTF (Dynamic Therapeutic Formulary) or non-DTF list?
   3. Will you need a new pair of glasses soon?
2. Coordinate Benefits: Are you covered by a spouse or partner's plan as well? Taking the time to review your coverage can also identify any gaps in your coverage and help you overlap benefits to prevent and eliminate any out-of-pocket expenses. Take the time to compare plans and strategize on using them together to increase access to important care and reduce costs.
3. Using Remaining HCSA (Healthcare Spending Account) or Flex Credits: If your plan includes a Healthcare Spending Account (HCSA), make sure to use it before it resets September 1st. Your Health Plan also renews September 1st. HCSA credits often go unused and can be applied to a wide variety of eligible expenses- from additional paramedical coverage and alternative treatments, to orthotics, additional vision care, or covering your premiums. Make sure you utilize your benefits to their fullest potential by maximizing their limits.
   
4. Schedule Preventative Care: Take the opportunity of downtime to pre-book preventative healthcare appointments like check-ups, dental cleanings, counselling sessions, or eye exams ahead of time. Doing so can reduce future stress, honour your body, and avoid last-minute scrambles once the school year begins.
   
5. Prioritize Mental Health: Teaching is demanding, especially in Christian education where you are called to shepherd minds and hearts. Summer offers opportunity for you to care for YOUR heart and mind. The Christian Education Health Plan (CEHP) offers mental health coverage with registered psychotherapists, counsellors, and social workers. You also access short-term counselling through Kii Health’s Telemedicine program, which is available to all Health Plan participants. Taking this time to engage in self-care practices prioritizes your health first and is an act of stewardship. Mental health is an area where many educators find strength and support. Using your benefits to care for your emotional and psychological wellbeing is both a wise decision and a God-honouring investment in your overall health.
   
6. Leverage Cost-Saving Strategies: Where possible, stretch your benefits further with a few cost-saving strategies, like:
   
   1. Asking about generic medications and cost-effective alternatives to name-brand prescriptions
   2. Track your spending through your Benefits Portal or the Manulife app to ensure you're on top of your coverage
   3. Utilize Telemedicine options where possible through easy and accessible online care and referrals

Maximize your benefits well, use this season to build habits, take time now to care for your emotional, mental, and physical health, and remember that self-care is God honouring.

By wisely using your benefits, coordinating coverage, and more, you can steward your health benefits well and step into a new school year filled with peace, energy, and purpose.

Learn more about maximizing your benefits in our Health Plan 101: How to Maximize Your Benefits Masterclass series.