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

However, an Aflac study indicates this number may be cut nearly in half for American families with outstanding medical expenses. In the past two years, 47 percent of families with children that visited a hospital had to pay $500 or more in out-of-pocket costs in addition to copayments and deductibles. In fact, medical expenses are a key reason people have had to make significant sacrifices during the holidays, including:

• Buying less during the holidays: In the past two years, 53 percent of people say that they have had to make some type of sacrifice, such as spending less on gifts or holiday décor — or not giving at all — during the holiday season because of medical costs. Although they may not want to cut down on these fun holiday expenses, lingering bills create difficult spending decisions.
• Debt piles on: While some people decide to cut down on holiday expenses as a result of medical bills, others rack up debt. In the past two years, 20 percent of people had to rely on a credit card for holiday purchases. Additionally, people may borrow money from friends or take out a loan to get through the high-priced season.
• Sacrificing season's greetings: The third major sacrifice people make during the holidays takes away a key aspect of what makes the season so joyful for families. In the past two years, 19 percent of families canceled holiday travel plans and 17 percent picked up extra work — meaning less valuable time with loved ones. 

Planning for the unexpected

It is not uncommon to hear that clients try to put off their benefits decisions, especially at the year's end. Benefits open enrollment is a good time to address benefits needs for the new year and beyond. Encourage clients to act now so they can set themselves up for success in the coming year instead of waiting for another day.

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

May your days be bright

The last thing people should have to worry about when facing an illness or injury is experiencing a humbug holiday season because of medical costs. During this benefits open enrollment time, help clients see that offering supplemental coverage can help employees better 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 at Aflac.