Health literacy isn’t just a patient trait; it’s also how clearly information is designed and delivered. When plan documents, provider portals, and pharmacy tools use plain language, everyone makes better decisions. Your goal this week: turn complex benefits lingo into actionable steps.

Start with the Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) for each plan you’re considering.

Focus on:

• Total cost picture: premium (what you pay each paycheck) + expected out-of-pocket costs.
• Deductible, copays, coinsurance: what triggers each, and for which services.
• Out-of-pocket maximum: your financial “ceiling” for the year.
• Network rules: which hospitals, clinics, therapists, and specialists are “in-network.” Staying in-network is the fastest way to reduce surprise bills.

Pull a quick snapshot of your 2025 healthcare use: office visits, urgent care/ER, therapy, prescriptions, imaging, and any upcoming procedures. Then ask:
Will these continue in 2026?
Are your current providers in the new plan’s network?
Do your current medications appear on the plan’s formulary (and at what tier)?
Do you anticipate life changes (adding a dependent, new diagnosis, surgery, or more mental health visits) that could shift your costs?

Preventive care: Confirm annual physicals, vaccines, mammograms, and other screenings are covered at $0 when in-network.
Primary vs. specialty care: If you see specialists often, compare coinsurance and referral requirements.
Behavioral health & telehealth: Check visit limits, copays, and whether your preferred platform is covered.
Pharmacy: Look for mail-order savings, 90-day fills, and preferred pharmacies to cut costs.
HSAs/FSAs: If your plan is HSA-eligible, consider funding it for tax savings and future care; for FSAs, set a realistic election based on last year’s spending.

Plain-language summary: Write a one-page “benefits cheat sheet” for yourself with your plan name, deductible, copays, OOP max, and key phone numbers/links.
Teach-back (for yourself): Could you explain your plan to a friend in under two minutes? If not, circle the confusing parts and call the plan’s member services.
Portal power: Log in now, update contact info, turn on two-step verification, and bookmark cost-estimator and provider-search tools.
Ask three: Before enrolling, ask: (1) What will I pay for my typical care? (2) Are my doctors and meds covered? (3) What’s my worst-case OOP cost?

• Download SBCs for your plan options.
• List your 2026 likely visits, therapies, and meds.
• Confirm provider networks and drug tiers.
• Compare total costs (premium + expected care).
• Decide on HSA/FSA amounts and note deadlines.