Five Ways to End the Year Healthier, Wealthier, and with Far Less Stress

By Lindsay Loomis, Senior Vice President, Emry Concierge

The end of the year has a certain rhythm: the rush to wrap up business, the quiet of Thanksgiving week, and the sudden realization that December always comes faster than expected.

Between travel, gatherings, and year-end planning, healthcare rarely tops the to-do list. Yet the weeks before the calendar resets are one of the most important—and overlooked—moments to take stock.

Here are five smart ways to protect your health and your wealth before the year ends.

1. Treat Your Deductible Like an Investment You’ve Already Made

If you’ve met your deductible, you’ve essentially prepaid for care. Every covered visit, screening, or prescription you complete before year-end is one more return on that investment. Many of our clients use this window to schedule long-deferred appointments or refill medications while out-of-pocket costs are minimal.

2. Give the Gift of Clarity—To Yourself

Holiday downtime is the perfect moment to review your healthcare accounts the way you might review your portfolio: What claims are still pending? Are benefits fully utilized? Has a surprise bill gone unchallenged? A single phone call—or advocate—can often uncover errors or recover dollars you didn’t realize were lost.

3. Plan for Travel Before You Pack a Bag

From Aspen to Anguilla, winter travel brings its own set of health logistics. Check prescription refill rules across state or national lines. Confirm your coverage for out-of-network care or medical evacuation. And keep digital copies of your insurance and ID cards—because emergencies never respect itineraries.

4. Use Open Enrollment as a Moment to Re-Strategize

Too often, coverage rolls over automatically—until a hospitalization or specialist visit exposes a hidden gap. Review your plan choices with the same scrutiny you’d apply to an investment shift. If your health, residence, or employment status has changed, your coverage should evolve with it.

5. Protect Your Time as Fiercely as Your Finances

The holidays remind us how valuable time really is. Hours spent on hold with an insurer or chasing prior authorizations are hours not spent with the people who matter most. Delegate the administrative noise where you can—through a trusted advisor, assistant, or healthcare concierge—so your energy stays where it belongs.

Health is personal, but it’s also strategic. Just as you rebalance your portfolio or finalize charitable gifts, take a few minutes this season to rebalance your healthcare life as well. The return isn’t just financial—it’s peace of mind.

And that may be the most meaningful gift of all.

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