Smart Ways to Spend Your Health Plan Wellness Credits

Smart Ways to Accumulate and Spend Wellness Credits in America

The wellness credits offered by health plans in the U.S. often provide great opportunities to get discounts on activities across the country.

In this article, we’ll explore effective ways to make the most of your wellness credits, ensuring health, savings, and well-being even when you’re away from your usual routine.

What Are Wellness Credits?

Several American health plans offer credits and financial incentives to members who adopt healthy habits.

This may include getting regular check-ups, joining gyms, attending yoga classes, participating in healthy eating programs, and even consultations with nutritionists or therapists.

These credits work as extra money to be spent on wellness services, which helps reduce the costs of taking care of your health outside the traditional healthcare system.

Why Use Wellness Credits While Traveling?

When traveling, especially for extended periods, maintaining a health care routine can be challenging.

Stress, different eating habits, time zone changes, and unusual physical activities can all impact our body and mind.

Using wellness credits while traveling is a smart way to stay healthy, prevent issues, and take time for self-care. Moreover, it can save you money since many of these services are expensive without the health plan benefit.

Some U.S. companies also offer partnerships with brands around the world, allowing you to keep using your wellness credits globally.

Gyms and Local Studios: Stay Active on the Road

One of the most common ways to use your wellness credits is by paying for memberships or classes at gyms, Pilates studios, yoga centers, or other fitness activities.

Use your credits to cover these memberships while visiting a city, which helps you stay in shape and maintain your health, even when away from home.

Telemedicine Services and Online Counseling

Telemedicine has gained strength in recent years, especially after the pandemic, with health plans covering virtual appointments.

If you’re traveling and need a medical consultation, use your wellness credits to access telemedicine services.

The advantage is that you can have the appointment from anywhere, saving time and avoiding unnecessary travel.

Nutritionists and Healthy Eating Consultations

Keeping a balanced diet while traveling can be tricky. Restaurants, fast-food joints, and local dishes don’t always meet daily nutritional needs.

Using your wellness credits to consult a nutritionist can be a great idea, especially if you plan to stay longer in a place or have dietary restrictions.

A nutritionist can help create a practical meal plan for your trip, advising on how to choose local foods better and avoid overindulgence.

Massages, Acupuncture, and Complementary Therapies

Many health plans include wellness credits for alternative and complementary therapies, such as therapeutic massages, acupuncture, physiotherapy, and even guided meditation sessions.

Traveling can be exhausting on the body, with long walks, transportation, and climate changes. This extra care makes a huge difference in maintaining your energy and balance throughout the trip.

Wellness Programs at Partner Hotels and Resorts

Some health plans have partnerships with hotel and resort chains, offering discounts and credits for wellness programs like spa treatments, yoga classes, personal trainer sessions, and healthy eating options at these establishments.

Before traveling, check if your plan has any of these partnerships and plan to stay in places that offer these services.

Besides making good use of your wellness credits, you can turn your trip into an even more relaxing and healthy experience.

Health Monitoring with Apps and Devices

Some plans encourage the use of technology to monitor health, such as smartwatches, fitness trackers, and habit-tracking apps.

If your plan offers credits for these devices or apps, take the opportunity to invest in tools that help monitor steps, sleep quality, heart rate, and even hydration levels.

These insights help you stay focused on your health, even when your routine changes during travel.

Mindfulness and Mental Health Programs

Mental health is just as important as physical health, and many health plans acknowledge this by offering wellness credits for mindfulness programs, meditation, therapy, and coaching.

If traveling is causing anxiety, stress, or sleep difficulties, using your credits to access these services can make a huge difference. Plus, online programs provide the flexibility to fit sessions into your travel schedule.

Written by

Gabriel Gonçalves