The holiday season has arrived.Cold weather is sweeping the nation, dinner tables everywhere arepiled high with festive foods and merry window displays are poppingup in department stores. While pleasant, a joyful holiday seasontends to come with a price tag for many Americans. According to theNational Retail Federation, the average consumer will spend $1,048 this holiday season.

However, an Aflac studyindicates this number may be cut nearly in half for Americanfamilies with outstanding medical expenses. In the past two years,47 percent of families with children that visited a hospital had topay $500 or more in out-of-pocket costs in addition to copaymentsand deductibles. In fact, medical expenses are a keyreason people have had to make significant sacrifices during theholidays, including:

• Buying less during the holidays: In the pasttwo years, 53 percent of people say that they have had to make sometype of sacrifice, such as spending less on gifts or holiday décor— or not giving at all — during the holiday season because ofmedical costs. Although they may not want to cut down on these funholiday expenses, lingering bills create difficult spendingdecisions.
• Debt piles on: While some people decide to cutdown on holiday expenses as a result of medical bills, others rackup debt. In the past two years, 20 percent of people had to rely ona credit card for holiday purchases. Additionally, people mayborrow money from friends or take out a loan to get through thehigh-priced season.
• Sacrificing season's greetings: The thirdmajor sacrifice people make during the holidays takes away a keyaspect of what makes the season so joyful for families. In the pasttwo years, 19 percent of families canceled holiday travel plans and17 percent picked up extra work — meaning less valuable time withloved ones. 

Planning for the unexpected

It is not uncommon to hear that clients try to put off theirbenefits decisions, especially at the year's end. Benefits openenrollment is a good time to address benefits needs for the newyear and beyond. Encourage clients to act now so they can setthemselves up for success in the coming year instead of waiting foranother day.

One way to help with medical expenses is through supplementalinsurance, which provides cash benefits to help policyholders withexpenses health insurance doesn't cover. Two examples ofsupplemental coverage are accident and critical illness insurance.Over the past two years, 31 percent of Americans have visited thehospital due to an accident such as a broken bone or cut and 28percent have checked in due to a sudden illness such as a heartattack or stroke. When employers provide their workers with accessto supplemental coverage options, they demonstrate care for theiremployees' physical and financial well-being.

May your days be bright

The last thing people should have to worry about when facing anillness or injury is experiencing a humbug holiday season becauseof medical costs. During this benefits open enrollment time, helpclients see that offering supplemental coverage can help employeesbetter prepare for the unknown and focus on what matters most:recovering and staying merry and bright all year long.

Bob Ruff is senior vice president of Growth Solutions atAflac.