Improvement

Discount Cards

PPO companies will do anything for a buck

Medical discount cards are popping up everywhere. These are ID cards masquerading as insurance ID cards. These cards are purchased by the uninsured (or underinsured) to obtain network discounts off of the services you provide. Many hospitals and large group practices have identified these plans and refuse to give any discounts. Since these patients are not insured, it is widely believed that healthcare providers are not under any obligation to give the network discount. The PPO companies seem to be selling their networks to anyone who wants to start a discount card company. Hopefully you haven’t seen any of the following:

Care Entrée - using PHCS network

JC Penney Plan Plus - using Multiplan

Curran Group - using Preferred Plan

Pinnacle Choice - also using PPO Next

FAMILY CARE - National Association of Preferred Providers

CHAMBER HEALTH with the card identical in logos and design with CARE ENTRÉE

Peoples Health Plan - using Multiplan

Patients presenting these cards may even be existing patients who previously paid cash at the time of service. The cards are easily recognized since there is no claim address, only a telephone number to call to obtain the discount to give the patient. This must occur while the patient is in the office so that payment for services may be collected from the patient.

These cards are sold to the general public all over the country including here in Illinois. They are attempting to increase their revenue and control your fees without sharing the profits.