School is in session! Our kids are back in school – some in your home town and some away to college – it’s a good time for us to get our heads around our health insurance coverage. I mentioned in a previous post what is driving the premium increases – if you missed that please jump back and take a quick look. I know we get busy in the summer with kids and family and that is all good, but take just a minute to catch why the rates were increasing.

Regarding kids away at school – there is an app for your phones called Go Mobile that is a benefit that comes with your plan. Understanding you health care benefits has never been easier or more convenient. This app provides you access to all of the Wellmark tools right on your smartphone. You can check claims, see the flex spending balances, view your benefit information, ask a question, research health topics and monitor your health and the best of all the Mobile ID Card! Hurray! You can view your ID card and email a PDF to your provider. For a student that is away this is invaluable. If there would be a study abroad, Christmas break trips, Spring break trips, etc. this is the way to go.

Download today at Wellmark.com/GoMobile

You have perks and benefits that you may not know you have. These can save you time and dollars and I want to make sure you know this as the kids go back to school. Read more about the Go Mobile app for your smart phones. I want you to take a quick look at how to reduce unnecessary emergency room visits. I see this happening when a student is away at school, gets sick and doesn’t know to call and schedule an appointment or has the ability to come home to the home doctor. They may use an emergency room when urgent care would have done the job. This will save you money. The personal health assistant 24/7 will give you nurse support and care navigation so that you can make good decisions.

There’s also Blue365. With Blue365, there are exclusive member discounts and services you can take advantage of if you choose to – healthy eating, living, personal care, fitness, wellness and some hotel and resort discounts. This flyer will direct you to Blue365Deals.com/WellmarkBCBS to register. Check this out! It’s free!