(BPT) - When it comes to healthcare, a new year often means a clean slate. The to-do list of annual appointments and check-ups starts afresh, prescriptions may need to be renewed and the insurance deductible resets. If you made changes to your health plan during the open enrollment period, those changes now take effect as well.

In some cases, starting over might mean an increase in health care spending or discovering certain aspects of routine care aren't covered with your new plan. Fortunately, AARP member benefits are a great resource for health-related discounts and insurance options to help fill any gaps in coverage you might now face.

"Unanticipated gaps in coverage are challenging at any time, but they can hit especially hard at the start of a new year when you're adjusting to a new plan while managing deductible and copay expenses," said Doug Armstrong, Vice President, Health Products at AARP Services Inc. "AARP member benefits provide several different ways to reinforce your insurance coverage, helping members maintain proper care without facing unanticipated costs."

1. Make a Last-Minute Change

Since the insurance open enrollment period takes place one to two months before your new health insurance kicks in, there is always a possibility that your circumstances may change in the interim. Perhaps you are now confronting a new health issue or, conversely, no longer need as much care as you might have previously. Perhaps your new plan has an exclusion you hadn't anticipated. Whatever the case may be, people might find themselves needing to adjust their coverage once the new year begins.

If you're on Medicare and aren't quite satisfied with your coverage, the good news is that you're not locked in just yet. Some Medicare-Related Options can be changed until March 31. Just be sure to confirm the details on your specific plan, though, to avoid any penalties.

2. Focus on Your Vision

Proper vision is important to maintaining independence as you age, but even if you see clearly, it's a good idea to make sure your eyes are healthy as well. An eye exam can help diagnose many chronic diseases and help ensure early treatment.

While a critical part of overall health, routine vision care is often not covered by health insurance plans. To make sure you can continue with regular vision checks, you can take advantage of your AARP member benefits to learn more about vision insurance options with plans that offer a large, nationwide network of eye doctors, generous allowance for glasses or contacts, savings on lens enhancements (like progressives and anti-reflective coatings) and more.

3. Get Help with Your Hearing

The chance of experiencing hearing loss increases with age. According to the National Institute on Aging, one-third of older adults experience it, which impacts their ability to socialize, heed warnings, sustain proper balance and maintain their quality of life.

Hearing aids can be transformative for those who do face hearing loss, but many insurance plans do not cover them. With AARP^® Hearing Solutions™ provided by UnitedHealthcare^® Hearing you have access to savings on hearing aids and hearing care. Members may save up to $2,000 per pair on prescription hearing aids and 15% on accessories. Plus, they receive a hearing exam and consultation at no cost and personalized support through a large nationwide network of hearing providers.

4. Maintain a Healthy Smile

Increasingly, researchers are finding a link between oral health and chronic disease, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and even dementia. Regular dental visits every six months can help monitor for and treat issues, such as cavities or gum disease. With health plans that do not include dental insurance, you might end up paying out of pocket for your cleaning and X-rays.

To avoid that, take a look at your coverage. If needed, explore information on dental insurance options for AARP members that offer access to individual or family coverage for the most common dental procedures, with the option to enroll at any time during the year. Dental insurance encourages and generally pays for regular check-ups, so many people who purchase protection start to benefit immediately.

5. Discover Additional Insurance Options

Health insurance can be a great resource for medical expenses, but sometimes there are circumstances where coverage is less straightforward. Fortunately, there are insurance options that can provide additional support. One coverage option to consider is long-term care insurance, which helps pay for expenses that you might incur if age, illness, disability or cognitive impairment affect your ability to manage some daily activities, such as housework, meal preparation, pet care, in-home medical care, personal hygiene and more. Many Americans will need some form of long-term care at some point in their lifetimes. Learn about how personalized Long-Term Care Options can help AARP members identify and prepare for the care that's best for them - both personally and financially.

In addition to these healthcare resources, AARP members can find other ways to save with discount information on prescriptions, eyewear, medication dispenser subscriptions and more. Visit aarp.org/benefits for details.

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AARP and its affiliates are not insurers, agents, brokers or producers. AARP member benefits are provided by third parties, not by AARP or its affiliates. Providers pay a royalty fee to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Some provider offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. Please contact the provider directly for details.