You pay your health insurance premium every month. Yet a routine illness can still mean another copay, time away from work and a search for an available appointment. When something more complicated comes up, you may also find yourself trying to understand which providers are in your plan and what you’ll owe.

Health insurance provides important financial protection, but having coverage doesn’t always make getting care simple.

First Commerce Credit Union’s Elevate Direct offers wellness benefits that can work alongside your insurance, including virtual primary care, urgent care, counseling and help navigating the healthcare system.

Consider these three hypothetical examples of how that support could help people who already have coverage.

Brad, who is in his late 20s, chose a high-deductible health plan to keep his monthly premium manageable. After an injury playing Frisbee, he sees a healthcare provider who recommends physical therapy. Now Brad needs to find a therapist and understand what his plan covers.

With an Elevate Direct package that includes Health Advocacy, Brad could turn to a Personal Health Advocate for help locating providers and clarifying his benefits. He would still be responsible for any treatment costs his insurance doesn’t cover, but he wouldn’t have to work through the questions alone.

Amy and her husband have health insurance for their family, but with three children, illnesses can mean repeated copays and time away from work. When one child wakes up with symptoms of pink eye, Amy needs a practical way to seek care.

For appropriate minor illnesses, Elevate Direct’s virtual urgent care connects families with board-certified doctors without a trip to a clinic. If medication is prescribed, Amy could also use the prescription price comparison tool to explore prices at participating pharmacies. Comparing those prices with her insurance price can help her decide which option offers better value.

Janet, a recently widowed woman in her late 60s, has health insurance but is struggling with grief and managing more on her own. She wants to speak with a counselor, and the growing list of household responsibilities feels overwhelming.

With a package that includes virtual counseling, Janet could connect with a licensed mental health professional from home, with no additional session fee. Appointments are typically available within 48 hours, subject to provider availability. Her Worklife Concierge benefit could also help her find information and referrals for home maintenance services, reducing some of the time she spends researching options.

Depending on the package selected, Elevate Direct also offers virtual primary care and savings on dental and vision services. Benefits, eligibility and availability vary by package, and savings depend on the service and participating provider.

Explore Elevate Direct’s health wellness benefit options through First Commerce Credit Union to compare packages and find out what fits your needs.