6 ways your health plan can support your New Year’s resolutions
As the calendar flips to 2026, many people may be setting goals for a healthier, happier new year. But oftentimes, without support, it is much more difficult to achieve New Year’s resolutions and goals.
Health benefits can provide crucial support to help you live a healthier life throughout the year while saving more money.
About 96 million U.S. adults say they plan to focus on fitness and health this year.1 Meanwhile, about 33% of Americans are making goals to help improve their mental health.2
If you’re hoping to prioritize your health this year, here are 6 ways your health plan may help:
1. Prioritize preventive care
Preventive care may be the foundation of long-term health. Your benefits may include certain preventive care with no cost-sharing, including coverage for certain services like colon cancer screenings, mammograms and screening for type 2 diabetes. Likewise, vaccinations for children, adolescents and adults may be covered with no cost-sharing, including immunizations for the flu, shingles and RSV. Schedule your annual physical and ask your doctor to find out what screenings and vaccinations may be recommended for you. Call the number on the back of your insurance card or visit your member portal for information on your plan’s coverage.
2. Personalize your care and services
One way to help you take control of your health is to explore care options personalized to your individual needs. When looking for a health provider, UnitedHealthcare Smart Choice can help you find and connect with quality care, personalized to your preferences and benefit plan. Smart Choice prioritizes your provider search results so you can more easily compare care options and make more informed decisions, that may lead to better health outcomes and lower costs.
UHC Store can help you personalize your wellness journey year-round and add new offerings at any time as needs arise. Through the UnitedHealthcare app or myuhc.com®, eligible members can access discounted health and wellness offerings — from fitness and nutrition programs to mental health resources — all designed to complement your existing benefits. By using these tools, you may help prioritize your health goals and start the year with confidence and support.
3. Explore weight loss support
If shedding extra pounds is your goal, check for weight-loss programs that may be available as part of your health plan. These programs are designed to help you build healthy habits such as nutrition, fitness, sleep and stress management, which may all support your weight loss targets.
4. Make your mental health a priority
By improving your mental well-being, you may set the stage for achieving broader goals in the new year, including fostering personal growth. You might be surprised to learn that your health plan may include mental health benefits such as virtual therapy sessions, coaching, 24/7 in-the-moment emotional support, and digital self-help tools such as Calm Health. If you are feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to reach out to your primary care physician or a licensed mental health professional, an important first step in addressing constant stress, depression, and other concerns.
5. Consider your options about where to get care
Where you go for health care may matters — not just for your health, but for your wallet. For everyday issues like back pain or sprains, scheduling a virtual visit, seeing your primary care physician or visiting an urgent care center may be much less expensive than the emergency room.
If you’re not sure where to go, your health plan may help you. Many health plans offer tools to help you compare costs and find an option that may meet your needs and save you money.
Surest®, a UnitedHealthcare health plan, allows you to shop for care like you would for any other services — filtering by location, personalized preferences and assessing costs before scheduling services. with clear, upfront pricing and no deductibles or coinsurance to worry about. This transparency helps you compare providers and make more informed decisions about your care.
6. Support your smile
Oral health issues may have a major impact on your overall health,3 making it vital that you care for your teeth and gums. Beyond consistent brushing and flossing, regular dental cleanings are also important for removing plaque that builds up on teeth over time, and oral health care professionals may help identify a variety of health conditions that may need attention from a medical doctor. UnitedHealthcare dental plans may include up to two annual cleanings at no out-of-pocket cost to you.
Clear goals plus supportive resources may help make 2026 your healthiest year yet. From preventive care to mental health support, your benefits are designed to help improve your overall well-being.
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