Nearly 400 years ago, Colonists and the Wampanoag tribe shared a week long harvest celebration. This event is widely acknowledged as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations, even though the first official proclamation of a national Thanksgiving holiday didn’t come until 1863.
How times have changed! This year, an estimated 54.6 million Americans will be driving or flying to celebrate Thanksgiving with family and/or friends. If that number holds true, it’ll mark the third busiest Thanksgiving since the American Automobile Association (AAA) started tracking in 2000.
Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends to gather. It’s a celebration of all for which we have to be thankful. With a lot of Americans having some time off work for the holiday, it’s also an occasion to reflect on our health and how we maintain and even improve it as we start to close out 2022 and welcome the new year.
If you’re one of the millions of Americans with a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA), it’s an especially good time to check out this checklist to see how you— and your spouse and any dependents — can save on health expenses using the contributions you’ve amassed so far in 2022.
✅COVID-19 Testing
Although President Biden declared this past September that the COVID-19 pandemic was over, the contagious virus is still wreaking havoc on the United States. Approximately 282,000 thousand new cases of COVID-19 were reported in the U.S. during the week ending November 11, 2022.
Many U.S. health experts are recommending precautions for those gathering with others to celebrate Thanksgiving. Most advocate for taking a COVID-19 test 48 hours prior to the gathering they’ll be attending — in addition to one the day of.
According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the cost of home testing for COVID-19 is an eligible medical expense that can be paid or reimbursed under both FSAs and HSAs, even if you haven’t yet met your deductible. Of course, if you have any COVID-19 symptoms, consider staying home to avoid spreading the virus.
✅Trip Supplies
Whether you’re driving a state or two over or flying across the country to spend this Thanksgiving with your family and friends, being prepared for your trip can make a big difference.Each of the items listed in this section is FSA and HSA-eligible, so keep that in mind.
For example, along with having your car checked out for optimal tire pressure and making sure you’ve had the recommended oil change, remember to bring a first aid kit for minor emergencies. A basic first aid kit often contains alcohol-free cleansing wipes, sterile gauze dressings, Band-Aids, tweezers, a small pair of scissors, antiseptic cream and eye wash.
If you’re one of the one-third of Americans considered highly susceptible to motion sickness — which includes being carsick, seasick or airsick — don’t forget to pick up an over-the-counter antihistamine at least 30 to 60 minutes before you travel. Expect at least some drowsiness with this type of medication.
Most mask requirements, including those of U.S. airlines, have been dropped, but the CDC recommends that individuals two years of age and older wear a high-quality mask or respirator over the nose and mouth in indoor areas of public transportation and transportation hubs. Also consider wearing a mask if you’re going to be around an individual who is immunocompromised.
✅An Allergy Assessment
Most of us are allergic to at least one or two things, from dust mites and pollen to pet dander and fungal spores. At least 26 million Americans, though, also have food allergies. Milk, eggs, fish, Crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soybeans are the major ones.
How do you find out to what you’re allergic? There are two options, both of which are covered by your FSA or HSA.
One alternative is purchasing an at-home allergy test. Some such tests require you to go to a nearby lab to have your blood drawn and submitted, after which you’ll receive an email with a link to download your results. Other at-home allergy tests have you take a sample that you send in a prepaid envelope and then wait for the results. Make sure that any such product you buy is compliant with HIPAA, which means your test results are securely stored. Also, realize that these types of tests are convenient and easy to use— but usually aren’t as thorough.
Another choice is making an appointment with your doctor or an allergist. These healthcare providers can perform one of a few types of allergy skin tests on you to diagnose any allergies to airborne substances and foods. The most common one, a skin prick test, is typically done on the forearm and checks for immediate allergic reactions to as many as 50 different substances. The test often takes about 30-40 minutes, and the doctor should have your results to you soon after the test.
✅Overall Health Numbers
Just because you plan on indulging on turkey, stuffing and an assortment of side dishes on Thanksgiving Day doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use the time off to examine your overall health. Are you following a healthy diet and exercising regularly?
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025 notes that a healthy eating plan:
● Emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products
● Includes a variety of protein foods such as seafood, lean meats and poultry, eggs, legumes (beans and peas), soy products, nuts and seeds.
● Is low in added sugars, sodium, saturated fats, trans fats and cholesterol
● Stays within your daily calorie needs
For exercise, the CDC recommends 150 minutes — total — of physical activity each week. That means you can stretch it out to 30 minutes five days a week or do it all in two days. Do whatever works best for you and your schedule.
If there are any at-home medical tests you’ve planned on buying this year, now is the time to do it. Your FSA and/or HSA covers a variety of at-home tests, including those for awide range of health conditions or diseases such as pregnancy, glucose, cholesterol, hepatitis C, human immunodeficiency virus, prothrombin, ovulation and menopause. Before purchasing one of these, though, check to make sure the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has evaluated it for accuracy, reliability, validity and safety in clinical trials.
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