New York residents can start the year healthier and save money by understanding health benefits, digital tools, preventive care, and mental health resources.
By Dr. Greg Carnevale,
Chief Medical Officer at UnitedHealthcare
of New York
Manhattan Voice
January 21, 2026
NEW YORK, NY - A new year can bring a fresh opportunity to check in on your health. It’s also a great time to review your health benefits and make sure you know how to get the most out of your health plan.
Whether you’re aiming to improve your wellness, save more money, or simply make more informed health care choices, understanding what your health plan offers can help you get the most out of every dollar.
Chronic illnesses and mental health concerns as well as health care costs are serious challenges for people in New York.
According to the latest report from America’s Health Rankings, 12.3% of New York residents live with diabetes, 29.5% live with obesity, and 11.3% reported avoiding care in the previous year due to costs.
Many health plans offer programs that can help you save more money and live a healthier life. Here are practical tips to help you start the year feeling confident, healthy and prepared.
- Understand your health plan. Understanding how your plan is structured, and your premium, copays, deductible, coinsurance and out-of-pocket maximum, may help you better estimate what you could spend on care costs for the year. Some health plans now offer upfront pricing so you can compare options and an easy-to-use digital shopping experience.
Talk to your employer about your health plan and the benefits and programs that are available to you.
- Make the most of digital health innovations. Many health plans offer new digital tools designed to make it easier to find and personalize care and services. These tools can help people with things like searching for in-network providers and comparing treatment options, and they can help you make more informed decisions about where to get care.
- Use specialty benefits. Staying on top of routine dental and vision care can be a key part of overall health. Regular preventive dental care can help keep your teeth and gums healthy and reduce risk of conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Comprehensive eye exams do more than check your vision — they can help you see better and protect your overall health. These exams can detect more than 270 health conditions. These preventive services may be included in your dental or vision health plan.
- Consider where you get care. Where you go for health care matters and can impact cost. Knowing when to go to the emergency room and when other care options may be effective choices can help you save money while getting the care you need. For example, a virtual visit or seeing your primary care physician may be much less expensive than visiting the ER for everyday non-emergency concerns like pinkeye or common cold. It’s also important to consider care options in your health plan’s network, which may help you save on costs compared to choosing out-of-network options. If you’re not sure where to go, many health plans offer tools to help you compare costs and find options that may meet your needs.
- Take advantage of mental health benefits. Unfortunately, mental health concerns continue to rise. If feelings of stress, anxiety or depression persist, please don’t wait —get support right away. The beginning of the new year is the perfect time to check in with your primary care provider or therapist to discuss your overall well-being. Additionally, reach out to your insurance provider to explore the mental health resources available through your health plan.
From preventive care and virtual visits to wellness programs and cost-saving tools, your benefits are designed to help support you — if you know how to use them. If you have questions about your options, talk with your employer or call the number on the back of your insurance card.
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