There is a difference between the plans to reduce medical insurance and health care. Health insurance helps defray the cost of routine, preventive medicine and disease or injury costs catastrophic. By contrast, discount medical plans offer subscribers a network of health care providers, pharmacies and other services related to health which they may benefit from reduced rates on such things as medical examinations, eye examinations, treatment dental and prescription drugs. These plans are not health care coverage, but rather as a network of providers who agree to offer discounts to members of specific plans. Suppliers access to more customers without marketing, in exchange for offering discounts.
It is important not to confuse the discount medical plans with health insurance. These plans often use discount to customers who are uninsured or whose insurance does not cover things like dental or eye exams. Some programs are very beneficial. Other programs are nothing more than the coupon books sold at inflated prices. Some programs offer real savings for members while others have such limited networks or minimum rebates that the plan is not worth the fee. However, none of these plans can be used in case of emergency hospitalization or illness.
Medical discount plans do not cover the cost of emergency room visits, surgical procedures, or hospital bills. When the clerk emergency admissions to hospital or admissions office ask for your insurance card or insurance information, they will not accept a discount card for medical services. Both products are completely different and not interchangeable. This does not mean that all plans to reduce medical worthless, but rather they are intended for different purposes. For example, some plans offer savings on pharmaceutical supplies. This could be beneficial to seniors who have fallen into the infamous donut hole of Medicare coverage.
When seniors hit donut magic in Medicare, many medical expenses must be paid out of pocket expenses until they reach a certain point. Once that is reached once more the health insurance kicks in and covers many expenses. However, in the meantime, no additional insurance, the elderly are left to pay for their own medicines and other expenses. Medical discount plans, provided they are well documented, may provide a way for seniors to minimize their costs of health care while in the donut hole. Unfortunately, this demographic group is a prime target for unscrupulous companies and discount plans. Therefore, before you enroll in a discount medical program or plan, make sure it is one that has a solid reputation and many options for network providers in your area.
