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Maybe your plan was to eat better, be more active, be more social, or just feeI better and more energized. So, make a list, be specific and establish a timeline. And bring this with you when you go for your annual wellness visit or your next care provide visit.

Plan Your Care Visits

Make a list of the care appointments you will need this year — but have not yet scheduled. This includes your annual wellness visit, screenings, dental and vision appointments and vaccinations. Then start making those appointments. Care providers may be able to schedule appointments months in advance, which may offer you more scheduling options.

Prepare for Your Appointments

Jot down notes on how you’re currently feeling, any concerns you have, and your health care goals. By doing this, you can help ensure that you remember important information to share with your doctor, which can help make the most of your time together.

Catalog Your “Medicine Cabinet�

Prepare a list of all medications you are taking. Also, don’t forget to include all vitamins and supplements. Share this with your primary care provider at your annual wellness visit or your next care provider visit. NOTE: take care in disposing of expired or unneeded items. Go to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration site for some tips.

Review Your Benefits

In addition to covering wellness visits, tests, medicines and other medical care, see what other benefits may be included in your health insurance plan that may help you meet your health goals, including gym benefits and mental health support, and financial support for food and other necessities.

Want More Health Information

Ask your care provider for information, specifically around topics that were discussed during your visit. Go to your health insurer’s website for educational and benefits information. UnitedHealthcare members may go to . Search the Web for health and care information from “trusted sites,” which may include academic medical institutions, health departments, and health-related non-profit institutions.

Check In with Yourself Quarterly

Take out your “health goals� list and your care provider’s health recommendations. Have you made progress toward these health goals? Perhaps you wanted to address dental or vision problems, lose weight, exercise more or focus on your mental health. If you have made progress, keep going. If not, it is not too late to start toward reaching your health goals. Go to UnitedHealthcare’s “There’s no time like now to schedule an annual wellness visit� for more information.

Research suggests that small, sustainable changes may lead to continued improvements in health. No matter where you are in meeting your 2025 health goals, every day offers a new opportunity to refocus on your health and wellness.

Provided by Anup Sharma, Chief Medical Officer, Medicare & Retirement, UnitedHealthcare of Tennessee.