Health care costs are rising everywhere and insurance premiums are following pace, many consumers have begun to take a close look at medical discount plans. For those who can’t get coverage or can’t afford it, such plans amount to ‘the next best thing. For the insured they hold the promise of reduced costs.

Honest sellers of medical discount plans are upfront about the fact that they’re not selling actual insurance. Many not so honest sellers deceive consumers with obscure fine print, exaggerated marketing hype, and calculated omission, making them think that what they are buying is actually health insurance.

Medical discount plans are not health insurance. Unlike health insurance, discount plans dont pay your medical claims. They give you access, for a fee, to a list of health care providers who have agreed to offer their services at a discounted rate. You’ll still have to pay the entire bill yourself. The right medical discount plan can help you save money on out-of-pocket expenses and can be a helpful weapon in combating high health care costs. The wrong plan will simply add to your overall tab.

Before purchasing a medical discount plan:

*Ask to see a list of discount providers – if the company refuses, walk away

*Check with your the Better Business Bureau or state department of insurance to see if there are consumer complaints against the company.

* What kind of complaints, and how were they resolved?

*Always Read the fine print very carefully

*Research the company to see if it has a toll-free customer service number and a web site

*Investigate claims that seem exaggerated or sound too good to be true

*Will the potential savings of a medical discount plan justify the cost to purchase it. Do the math:

*Resist any high-pressure sales tactics, particularly deadlines and limited-time offers

Medical discount plans can help fight the high cost of health care if you take a little time to find the right one.