08/04/2026
"I thought my annual physical was supposed to be free."
That's a conversation I've heard more than once.
An employee schedules their yearly wellness visit expecting it to be covered.
During the appointment they casually mention that their knee has been hurting.
Or they've been having headaches.
Or they want the doctor to look at a rash.
Nothing unusual.
Just normal conversation.
But that conversation changes the purpose of the visit.
Instead of being billed as preventive care, part of the visit may be billed as diagnostic care.
The employee isn't trying to game the system.
The doctor isn't doing anything wrong.
The health plan isn't necessarily making a mistake.
It's simply that preventive care and diagnostic care are billed differently.
Unfortunately, most employees don't learn that until they receive the bill.
That's why benefits education isn't just about enrollment.
It's about helping people understand how to use their coverage throughout the year.
Sometimes the most expensive surprises begin with the words...
"While I'm here..."
What's one benefit misconception your employees discover only after receiving a bill?
Al Schiebel
Oakbridge Insurance Agency
404-256-2171
[email protected]
