| An astounding Seventy Percent (70%) of Small | | | | hundreds of thousands of doctors, dentists, |
| Businesses in America today do not provide | | | | specialists, labs, pharmacies and hospitals |
| health Insurance coverage for their employees. In | | | | throughout the U.S. that have agreed to charge |
| most cases, it's not that they don't want to but | | | | significantly reduced pre-negotiated rates for |
| because their business can no longer afford to | | | | procedures that can be done. Healthy discounts of |
| provide such benefits. It is simply an effort to | | | | 30% to 70% off medical, dental, vision, hearing, |
| reduce the cost of the day-to-day business | | | | prescription and chiropractic care. For the |
| operation. | | | | uninsured or under insured this often makes a |
| However, employers must consider if this cost | | | | world of difference in their ability to receive |
| reduction strategy is helping the medium to long | | | | needed medical care. Acceptance is guaranteed, |
| term growth of their companies. If one would | | | | anybody young or old, regardless of pre-existing |
| think about it, what is more costly? The | | | | conditions can participate and some even covers |
| premiums a company has to pay for group health | | | | maternity. |
| insurance or the cost to lose a good employee to | | | | Several features of discount health care plans |
| a competitor who offers health care benefits? | | | | come as an advantage. There are no claims |
| Indeed there is a higher price on the down time, | | | | forms to fill-out, no limitations, no waiting periods |
| training costs, and lost sales or manufacturing. | | | | or pre-existing conditions, no age restrictions, and |
| Fortunately it no longer has to be a choice of one | | | | with some you can become a member today and |
| or the other. | | | | get healthcare treatment the day after. That's |
| One solution for high cost of health insurance | | | | why testimonies of members like one below are |
| premiums is a non-insurance solution. Discount | | | | not uncommon. |
| Health Care Plans. This alternative to health | | | | "To date, I've had the opportunity to utilize the |
| insurance only costs a fraction of what a | | | | discount health care services on numerous |
| traditional group insurance policy would. More | | | | occasions and have always been pleased with the |
| importantly, it still meets the health care needs of | | | | savings. Last February, I had a hospital bill that |
| a company's employees on adiscounted basis. | | | | was $2900.00 and reduced to just $410.00. I had |
| These programs are not insurance but rather | | | | a pinched nerve in my shoulder and went to the |
| medical savings programs. It's more like having a | | | | chiropractor. The initial charge was $620.00, but I |
| health care advocate by which medical bills of | | | | only paid $203.00. My chiropractic treatments also |
| members are reduced before they even start. | | | | went from $62.00 to $40.00. At the dentist, my |
| Employees still have to pay for their healthcare, | | | | savings have been about 60%. My brother, who |
| but the employer gets the credit of giving them | | | | is also a member, has prescriptions that were |
| substantial savings on medical, dental, vision, | | | | $574.00 and through our mail order program are |
| hearing, pharmacy and many other types of | | | | now $299.80. The best part was that it was easy |
| necessary medical care. These programs can also | | | | to use. All I did was call the member's support |
| be used to supplement existing insurance | | | | phone number and they took care of everything." |
| programs with high deductibles or policies that pay | | | | - Richard P., Dallas, TX |
| a flat fee for hospital stays or certain conditions. | | | | Membership fees are significantly lower than |
| Affordable health care becomes possible through | | | | traditional health insurance. Membership fees can |
| group representation. Discount Health Care Plan | | | | be anywhere from $8 per month for minimal |
| providers carry enough clout to get prices | | | | benefits to $50 per month for the comprehensive |
| reduced down to what insurance companies have | | | | packages. Furthermore, companies get up to 20% |
| enjoyed for years. In other words since they | | | | discount on membership fees when they enroll 25 |
| have enough participating members, they have | | | | members or more. |
| superior buying power in order to negotiate | | | | For employers who can no longer provide health |
| discounts with providers of medical products and | | | | insurance for their staff, these discount health |
| services. Some Discount Health Care Plans have | | | | care plans could just be the answer. A service |
| been around for 23 years. These programs | | | | that is in many ways similar, and some would |
| combine fully insured benefits to health care | | | | argue, better than health insurance at only a |
| providers through group blanket policies that | | | | fraction of the cost. Companies can still reduce |
| cover its members. | | | | their cost on insurance benefitswhile gaining loyalty |
| These Plans provide affordable health care | | | | from their employees. |
| coverage to its members by giving access to | | | | |