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> Discount Health Plans |
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| Discount
Health Plans Can Have Pitfalls |
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 Discount
Health Plans do not qualify as “creditable health insurance
coverage.” This means that if you drop your health insurance
after purchasing a Discount Health Plan and later decide to
purchase health insurance again, your new insurance may not
cover preexisting conditions.
Review your plan carefully.
Companies selling Discount Health Plans may not guarantee advertised
services. Some Discount Health Plan provider lists may not be
current. Contact providers to make sure they honor the Plan.
Some Discount Health Plans may not be discounted as advertised.
Hidden fees, such as administrative fees for each use of the
card, may reduce or effectively erase the advertised discount.
Make sure the discounts available exceed the cost of
membership.
Be aware that certain consumer protections afforded to buyers
of insurance are not provided to people buying Discount Health
Plans. For example, Discount Health Plan members are not covered
by the State Guaranty Fund Law that protects consumers in the
event an insurance company fails. Some lines of insurance, such
as managed care plans, also require insurance companies to guarantee
access to health care providers, a guarantee not given to buyers
of Discount Health Plans.
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Things To Do Before Purchasing A Health Plan |
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- Read all promotional material carefully.
If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
- Understand the discounts being offered.
- Savings should exceed membership
costs.
- Understand which providers contract
with the Plan and determine that they are in convenient
locations for your use.
- Ask what happens if you move or
if you need services while you are traveling.
- Know what you are buying before
you sign any forms. Do not give out bank or credit
card information until you decide to make a purchase.
- Ask if the Discount Health Plan
has contracts in effect with all the health care
providers it has identified.
- Verify with the health care providers
you plan to use that they are participating in the
Discount Health Plan.
- Inquire about payment rules. With
some Plans the consumer is required to pay for discounted
services at the time of service and sometimes in
cash.
- Seniors should be especially cautious
when considering one of these Plans. Some providers
may not honor advertised discounts below scheduled
Medicare rates.
- Be wary of Discount Health Plans
offering “long-term care” discount options.
These Plans are not a substitute for long-term care
insurance.
- Ask about additional costs, such
as administrative fees, that may be associated with
the Discount Health Plan.
- Ask about the Plan’s cancellation
and refund policies.
- Always keep the telephone number
and address for the Discount Health Plan, along
with copies of all documents that you have submitted
to the Plan.
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Need
more info? For additional help with
insurance in Nevada, call 1-888-467-4195. |
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