Cheap Health Insurance: Some Information Discount Health Cards
Just because you're looking for cheap health insurance doesn't mean you have to settle for less-than-optimal coverage. In fact, there's a little-known option for cheap health insurance called a discount medical card that allows you as a heath care consumer to purchase medical and health-related services at discounted prices.
Unlike even cheap health insurance, discount plans are designed to serve the needs of consumers who cannot afford the premiums of typical health insurance but who earn too much money to be eligible for state- or government-sponsored programs like Medicaid. These people are in a real bind - the cost a catastrophic illness or accident would wipe them out financially. Finally, there is some real help for middle class families who are struggling to make ends meet. Here's some information about discount medical services and how they stack up to cheap health insurance.
The Consumer Health Alliance (CHA) is an umbrella organization with many member companies. Like a co-op, CHA member companies offer discounts to their members. This is radically different from even cheap health insurance. In fact, it really isn't cheap health insurance at all and by virtue of that fact, it doesn't exclude anyone, regardless of his or her age or health history. Unlike cheap heath insurance, discount medical services do no rely on actuarial tables or statistic algorithms to determine whether to extend coverage to a person. This is perfect for people who suffer from medical conditions that make them uninsurable by traditional means. Even cheap health insurance cannot compete with CHA member discounts. And although there is a modest monthly membership fee, it's more than offset by the money CHA members save.
The great thing about discount medical services is that much more than just doctor visits and hospital stays are offered at low prices. Even if you have traditional and cheap health insurance, chances are it doesn't cover things like, vision care, dental services, prescription drugs, chiropractic services and much more. And if you already have coverage through an employer, you're probably seeing your coverage shrinking as your employer's costs increase. In many cases, employees are being asked to pay a significant portion of the cost, even for cheap health insurance. Also, if you lose your job, you lose even your cheap health insurance. Why not consider a discount plan through the CHA or a similar organization? Here's an overview of how it works.
When a member of a medical discount plan utilizes a service, whether it's a doctor visit, diagnostic test, hospital stay, surgery, dental visit or visit for an eye exam, he pays at the time the service is rendered. The fee he pays is discounted because both he and the service provider are members of CHA or a similar group. This process benefits both the patient and the provider. The patient gets a reduced fee and the provider gets paid right away without having to deal with insurance claims and other billing issues. Many providers more than willing to participate because they get immediate cash flow benefits rather than having to wait for a payment from cheap health insurance that may not pay for the entire amount anyway. In fact, the discounts enjoyed members of CHA and similar programs are often identical to the rates charged by providers to insurance companies, HMOs or PPOs. And if you think you'll be stuck with services from no-name providers, think again. Companies like Wal-Mart, Eckerd's, Safeway, Pearl, LensCrafters, Medicine Shoppe, Target and many others are already participating. Since over 28 million people are members, medical discount plans have significant buying power that helps control costs.
The CHA estimates that more than 40 million people in the United States do not have even cheap health insurance. And for those to whom cheap health insurance is available, many still can't afford it. And since the costs associate with health care insurance rise as much as 15% per year, more and more consumers are looking for alternatives.
When shopping for a discount plan, be sure that what you buy doesn't duplicate anything you may have through an employer or state or federal program. Also, become familiar with the plan's policies and procedures. When you sign up, you should do with a company that will refund your money within 30 days if you decide not to stay with the program. Be suspicious of companies that ask for large up-front fees. Finally, it's a good idea to check with your local Better Business Bureau and state insurance department and attorney general.
All in all, discount medical plans, although new on the health care scene, appear to offer a genuine alternative to even cheap health insurance.
