4 important conversations to have about medical costs

Your financial planning should include future health care costs. It’s important to have candid conversations with your family and the professionals involved in your physical and financial well-being.

Here are four candid conversations you should have.

1. Talk to your doctor

Get regular checkups and stay on top of your blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, body mass index, etc. You may discover issues that need to be addressed immediately. If you don’t work on them now, they may worsen when you’re retired − when you may be least able to afford it. Make sure your doctor knows your family health history, so you can both work to keep hereditary risk factors under control.

2. Talk to your family

Discuss potential health-related expenses that may have an impact on your retirement – such as insurance premiums, medications and anticipated surgeries. Speak honestly with your family about decisions regarding your future care you wish to receive in case you are incapacitated and can not make your wishes known. Documenting these discussions may help with decision making later on.

3. Talk to your employer

Make sure you understand the benefits you’ll receive when you retire and any cost involved. Talk to your employer about health, savings and retirement benefits they may offer, as well as health coaching and incentive programs.

4. Talk to an investment professional

Meet with an expert who can help you address medical or health care expenses in retirement by offering products and strategies that could better prepare you throughout retirement.