Key Takeaways
You may be able to curb climbing health care expenses by using all your health care benefits before the end of the year.If you’ve met your annual deductible or out-of-pocket maximum, consider scheduling non-emergency services or refilling prescriptions before Dec. 31.Use dental, vision, and preventive care coverage to avoid costly illnesses and take advantage of annual allowances on advanced care.Maximize 2025 tax breaks by contributing to your health savings account (HSA) and calculating qualified medical expenses.Prepare for 2026 by ensuring your preferred physicians are in-network and that your new plan covers your prescription drugs.
Health care and insurance costs keep climbing in the U.S., so it’s more important than ever to understand your coverage and make the most of your benefits.
Since most health plans and tax breaks reset on Jan. 1, a few smart year-end moves can help you hang onto more of your hard-earned money—both now and next year.
1. Squeeze in Needed Medical Services
Most health care plans have an annual deductible, which is the amount you pay out of pocket before coverage begins. They also carry annual out-of-pocket maximums that cap how much money you have to spend on health care in a given year.
If you’ve met either limit, you can spare yourself all or at least some out-of-pocket expenses by getting health care you need before Jan. 1, when a new coverage year begins.
“Keep in mind that scheduling becomes very difficult in December because others are doing the same,” said Jay Zigmont, Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and founder of Childfree Trust.
2. Fill Prescriptions
Out-of-pocket maximums and deductibles also apply to prescription drugs, so it’s also often worthwhile to refill your medications before Dec. 31.
“You may want to request a three-month supply of your medication before the plan year ends,” said Joshua Lavine, CEO at Capitol Benefits. As a side benefit, some plans will give you three months of medication for just two months of copays, he said.
3. Take Advantage of Free Preventive Health Care
Thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), most health care plans cover free preventive services, including annual physicals, mammograms, colonoscopies, osteoporosis screenings, and vaccinations.
Getting these services regularly can lower your risk of developing chronic or advanced—and costly—illnesses.
4. Use Your Dental or Vision Insurance
Dental insurance typically covers all of your annual or semi-annual routine care, including cleanings and X-rays, and a portion of basic or advanced procedures. However, it’s a “use or lose it” model, so if you’ve been paying premiums in 2025, consider squeezing in a covered visit before benefits reset or expire at the end of the year.
Vision insurance works much the same way. You pay a monthly premium and, in exchange, receive coverage for a routine eye exam and, usually, a pair of prescription lenses or frames every one to two years. Alternatively, you may receive an annual allowance or stipend to help cover the cost of eyewear.
“We recommend using this benefit to obtain a pair of prescription sunglasses rather than wasting the benefit, if you haven’t used it before the end of the plan year,” Lavine said.
5. Spend the Money in Your FSA
Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) are tax-advantaged, employer-sponsored accounts that let you set aside money for out-of-pocket health care expenses, including premiums, deductibles, and copays.
For 2025, employees could contribute up to $3,300 to their FSA. Unfortunately, these funds generally don’t roll over, meaning if you don’t use them by the end of the year, you’ll lose them.
Important
Some employers may offer a short two-and-a-half-month grace period on FSA spending or allow you to carry over up to $660 to use next year.
Fortunately, the rules on what you can spend FSA money on are flexible and include vitamins, first aid supplies, breast pumps, counseling services, dental work, and more.
“Many FSA companies now offer online stores that are full of FSA-eligible items,” Zigmont said. “You may be amazed at how many over-the-counter items are available.”
6. Contribute to Your HSA
Health savings accounts (HSAs) are tax-advantaged accounts that help people with high-deductible health care plans save for out-of-pocket health care. Unlike FSAs, you can roll over money in an HSA from year to year, so there’s no pressure to spend leftover funds.
However, consider making additional contributions to your HSA if you haven’t reached the annual limit. The closer to the maximum, the more of a tax break you’ll receive when you file next year.
For 2025, the HSA contribution limit is $4,300 for individuals and $8,550 for families.
7. Prep for Tax Season
There’s a federal tax break that allows individuals, spouses, and families to deduct qualified medical and dental expenses in a tax year if these expenses exceed 7.5% of their adjusted gross income that year. And some states offer similar deductions.
You’ll need to do some research and some math to determine if you qualify for these breaks—and whether it’s worth itemizing versus taking the standard deduction to get them.
For 2025, the standard deduction is $15,750 for individuals, $31,500 for married couples filing jointly, and $24,150 for heads of household.
8. Check Your 2026 Health Care Plan
Whether or not you’re switching plans in 2026, it’s important to check your health care plan for the following year because coverage details can change from year to year.
You’ll want to ensure your preferred physicians are still in-network. If not, you’ll need to find a new provider or plan to pay more for visits.
Also, watch for changes in drug formularies. “The key is to know if any of the meds you currently take will not be covered next year,” Zigmont said. “You may have options for a different drug plan, or can talk to your physician about changing medicines.”