Medical Discount Cards In The Marketplace

Medical discount cards can be useful for some consumers looking to save money on health care, but discount cards are not the same as real medical insurance.

Medical care costs are not covered by most medical discount cards. Instead, they require you to pay a fee for a list of medical care providers and sellers of medical-related products who are willing to offer discounts to holders of the medical discount card.

The nation’s consumer protection agency, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), states an insurance discount card claims to provide big discounts from hundreds of providers for a wide range of services, from doctor visits and dental exams to hospital stays and prescription drugs. But many cards fail to make good on those claims.

Legitimate discounts are provided by some cards, but the FTC and many state governments have found that many take consumers’ money and offer very little benefits in return.

Check it Out

Know what you’re getting when considering your options, — a health insurance or a discount card. If you’re not sure, check with your state insurance commissioner to see if the company offering the discount card is registered to sell insurance in your state.

Consider shopping elsewhere if the company is not registered to sell medical insurance and you want to buy medical insurance.

Remember when buying a medical insurance plan, it generally covers a broad array of services, and pays you or your medical care provider for your medical bills. If you buy a medical discount card, you generally are paying for a list of providers and sellers who may be willing to offer “discounts” on some of their services, products or procedures.

Investigate the details before you pay any money if you’re interested in buying a discount card. For example, look for a telephone number or website of the company you’re considering doing business with so you can get more information.

Call the providers and ask about the services and discounts they’re offering before paying any mone. Ask the company for a list of providers who participate in its medical discount card.

Consider taking your business elsewhere if the medical discount card doesn’t provide a list of providers promptly.

Read the fine print and pay special attention to the refund policy. If a medical discount card doesn’t readily provide information and answers before you buy, it isn’t likely to be responsive once they have your money.

Check out if your favorite doctors in your area accept the medical card and will give you the discount the card promoters promise. If your usual medical or dental providers are not listed, don’t participate,

Some legitimate cards offer a “get acquainted” or “initial consultation” visit so you can meet a practitioner who participates in the discounted card before you commit to becoming a member.

Do the math and try to calculate what your total payment for a medical discount card will be for a given amount of time. You could be responsible for paying a substantial amount up front, in addition to monthly fees and other costs. The costs of the program may total more than the savings you anticipate. I

Negotiate a similar discount directly with one's provider if you can, without having to join a medical discount program.

Call your local consumer protection office, state Attorney General, or Better Business Bureau to find out whether there are complaints about the business offering the discount medical card.

Disastrous experiences have befallen people in the past with faulty medical discount cards.

We welcome you with open arms to real health insurance that will accept you for who you are.

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