--- title: Use it or Lose it! Your Health Benefits May Expire at the End of the Year description: Take advantage of lower (or no) out-of-pocket expenses for medical services such as sleep studies, PAP or supplies before the year ends and your benefits reset. image: https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hs-fs/hub/299691/file-335673427.jpg --- **[![ASMS_logo_shadow_round](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ASMS_logo_shadow_round.png?width=200&name=ASMS_logo_shadow_round.png "ASMS_logo_shadow_round")](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/)** **Advanced Sleep Medicine Services, Inc.** The Sleep Experts`®` (877) 775-3377 ## Sleep Better, Live Better Blog ### *We believe that education is the first step to finding better sleep. Our articles educate people on sleep news, sleep disorders, and sleep care to help them achieve better health and live better lives. * *Thanks for joining the conversation.* ## [Use it or Lose it! Your Health Benefits May Expire at the End of the Year](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/use-it-or-lose-it-your-health-benefits-may-expire-at-the-end-of-the-year) Posted by [Julia Steele Rodriguez](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/author/julia-steele-rodriguez) Find me on: [Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/julia.steele818) [LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/in/juliasteele) [Twitter ](https://twitter.com/juliasteelerod) Nov 21, 2016 6:00:00 AM ***![](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hs-fs/hub/299691/file-335673427.jpg?width=429&name=file-335673427.jpg "people_on_cell_phones.jpg")***Did you know that if you don't use all of your health insurance benefits this year, you lose them forever?  You may have met your deductible for 2016 already. If so, you can take advantage of lower (or no) out-of-pocket expenses for medical services such as sleep studies, PAP or supplies (learn about insurance coverage for these services [here](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/insurance-coverage-for-sleep-studies)). Waiting until next year means that not only will you lose any unused benefits for this year, but also that you'll have to first satisfy a new year's deductible before any benefits will be paid.  We understand that patients and their physicians are concerned about rising out-of-pocket expenses for health care; unfortunately, this often affects decisions about how healthcare is administered. Now, more than ever, it's important to understand your insurance benefits and take advantage of your benefits. Here are some key terms that you should understand. # In-network vs. out-of-network Looking for in-network providers can help reduce your cost as these providers contract with the insurance companies at lower rates. Out-of-network rates can be much higher or services may not be covered at all if the service provider is not considered in-network! This is an important question to ask your service provider (we have a list of insurances we're contracted with [here](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/insurance-list)).  For sleep studies, this can mean the difference between paying nothing out-of-pocket if you select an in-network provider or being billed for up to $1,200 for selecting an out-of-network provider. Learn more about why it's important to chose an in-network provider [here](http://www.sleepdr.com/blog/why-is-it-important-to-choose-an-in-network-provider).   # Deductibles vs. co-pays Deductibles can range anywhere from $50 to $15,000 and beyond. This is the amount the insured person must pay before the insurance company pays for any services. Each plan is different and rules vary widely.  Co-pays also vary by the type of service. A routine visit may cost you a $20 copay while a visit to the ER costs $200. Again, this also varies according to whether the provider is in or out of network with your insurance company.  [Check out our Guide to Understanding Your Health Insurance.](http://www.sleepdr.com/insurance-guide)   ### If you have been postponing medical care, now may be the time! You can call your insurance company or medical service provider to reverify your coverage and benefits. If you have no medical needs at this time, good for you! Please share this reminder with friends or family who may. Please just accept this as a reminder that we are concerned with keeping your out-of-pocket medical costs to a minimum and enjoy the rest of 2016! **Contact us to schedule your sleep study, CPAP set-up or order replacement CPAP supplies before the end of the year!** [Contact us.](https://sleep.brighthost.ca/contact-us/)   **Other posts you may find interesting:** - [Why is it Important to Chose an In-Network Provider? Learn the Facts.](http://www.sleepdr.com/blog/why-is-it-important-to-choose-an-in-network-provider) - [How Much Will a Sleep Study Cost Me?](http://www.sleepdr.com/blog/how-much-will-a-sleep-study-cost-me) - [Will my Insurance Cover CPAP? Frequently Asked Questions About Coverage](http://www.sleepdr.com/blog/will-my-insurance-cover-cpap-frequently-asked-questions-about-coverage) - [How Does the Affordable Care Act Treat Sleep Apnea?](https://www.sleepdr.com/blog/the-affordable-care-act-treating-sleep-apnea) - [How Often Should You Replace Your CPAP Supplies?](http://www.sleepdr.com/blog/cpap-supplies) Topics: [Health Insurance](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/health-insurance) ## Share this blog post: [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fuse-it-or-lose-it-your-health-benefits-may-expire-at-the-end-of-the-year%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fuse-it-or-lose-it-your-health-benefits-may-expire-at-the-end-of-the-year%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fuse-it-or-lose-it-your-health-benefits-may-expire-at-the-end-of-the-year%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fuse-it-or-lose-it-your-health-benefits-may-expire-at-the-end-of-the-year%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Use%20it%20or%20Lose%20it%21%20Your%20Health%20Benefits%20May%20Expire%20at%20the%20End%20of%20the%20Year) [![Share on Pinterest](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/pinterest-24x24.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fuse-it-or-lose-it-your-health-benefits-may-expire-at-the-end-of-the-year%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fuse-it-or-lose-it-your-health-benefits-may-expire-at-the-end-of-the-year%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fuse-it-or-lose-it-your-health-benefits-may-expire-at-the-end-of-the-year%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ### Subscribe to Email Updates Search our blog Search ### Posts by Topic - [Children and Sleep (1)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/children-and-sleep) - [Coffee (1)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/coffee) - [CPAP Alternatives (2)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/cpap-alternatives) - [CPAP Supplies (9)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/cpap-supplies) - [CPAP Treatment (25)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/cpap-treatment) - [Diabetes (2)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/diabetes) - [Doctor's Opinion (4)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/doctors-opinion) - [Economics of Sleep Medicine (15)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/economics-of-sleep-medicine) - [Good Sleep Habits (59)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/good-sleep-habits) - [Health Insurance (20)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/health-insurance) - [Heart Disease (2)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/heart-disease) - [Insomnia (2)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/insomnia) - [Job-Related Sleep Disorders (7)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/job-related-sleep-disorders) - [Kids and Sleep (20)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/kids-and-sleep) - [Narcolepsy (1)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/narcolepsy) - [Preparing for your sleep study (2)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/preparing-for-your-sleep-study) - [Sex and Sleep (7)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sex-and-sleep) - [Sleep and Exercise (1)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sleep-and-exercise) - [Sleep and Society (41)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sleep-and-society) - [Sleep Apnea (60)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sleep-apnea) - [Sleep Business (3)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sleep-business) - [Sleep Disorders (30)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sleep-disorders) - [Sleep Studies (30)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sleep-studies) - [Telemedicine (1)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/telemedicine) - [Treating Sleep Apnea (29)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/treating-sleep-apnea) - [Women and Sleep (14)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/women-and-sleep) ### Most viewed posts ### Recent Posts **Contact Us:** Advanced Sleep Medicine Services, Inc. Corporate Office 17835 Ventura Blvd. Suite 300 Encino, CA 91316 Phone (877) 775-3377 Fax (877) 855-6227  [info@sleepdr.com](mailto:info@sleepdr.com) ## **Top Links:** [Frequently asked questions (FAQs) ](http://www.sleepdr.com/frequently-asked-questions)[Download Service Request Form (Rx) ](http://www.sleepdr.com/service_request_form)[Request medical records ](http://www.sleepdr.com/request-medical-records)[See a complete list of locations ](http://www.sleepdr.com/locations)[Schedule an appointment ](http://www.sleepdr.com/schedule)[Sleep Better, Live Better Blog ](http://www.sleepdr.com/sleepbetterblog)[Contact us](http://www.sleepdr.com/contact) **About Us:** Our mission is to empower sufferers of sleep disorders, like sleep apnea, to lead more fulfilling lives by improving their sleep. We believe that by caring for and educating our patients and diagnosing and treating their sleep disorders we can help them achieve better health. With 20 locations across California, we are the leading provider of in-center and in-home (HST) sleep studies, PAP therapeutic devices, and replacement PAP supplies. We are contracted with more than 300 medical groups and commercial health plans. We partner with independent physicians who are at the forefront of the field of sleep medicine and together we provide high-quality, affordable, result-oriented and patient-centric diagnostic and therapeutic sleep medicine services. We strive to make all our interactions with patients, referring physicians, coworkers, and others courteous, caring and professional and we consider each interaction with our patients as an opportunity to live up to our commitment to the highest standards of patient care.  ### Subscribe to our blog: [![Twitter link](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hubfs/twitter-865437-edited.png "Twitter link")](https://twitter.com/mysleepdr)[![Facebook link](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hubfs/facebook-square-750598-edited.png "Facebook link")](https://www.facebook.com/AdvancedSleepMedicine)[![LinkedIn link](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hubfs/linkedin-815276-edited.png "LinkedIn link")](https://www.linkedin.com/company/advanced-sleep-medicine-services-inc) ## Original photos by Francisco Crow [www.fc-images.net](http://www.fc-images.net) All rights reserved. Our administrative offices AND sleep centers will be closed on Monday, September 5, 2016 in observance of the Labor Day holiday.