Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 15, 2026

A Novel Digital Platform for a Monitored Home-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
04:24

A Novel Digital Platform for a Monitored Home-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

Published on: April 19, 2019

Discount Medical cards: leading the way to inexpensive care or potential fraud?

Mila Kofman1

  • 1Georgetown University Health Policy Institute, Washington, DC 20007, USA. mk262@georgetown.edu

Managed Care Interface
|May 14, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Discount medical cards are gaining popularity due to rising healthcare costs and the uninsured population. However, regulatory loopholes allow for fraudulent cards, posing a risk to consumers seeking affordable healthcare options.

Area of Science:

  • Health Economics
  • Consumer Protection
  • Regulatory Affairs

Background:

  • Increasing numbers of uninsured individuals.
  • Rising healthcare expenditures.
  • Growing demand for affordable healthcare solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the rise of discount medical card programs.
  • To identify regulatory vulnerabilities associated with these programs.
  • To highlight the potential for fraudulent activities.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of market trends in healthcare access.
  • Review of existing insurance and discount card legislation.
  • Case study identification of fraudulent discount card schemes.

Main Results:

  • Discount medical card programs are experiencing increased adoption.
  • A significant regulatory loophole exists as these programs are not governed by insurance laws.
  • This loophole facilitates the proliferation of fraudulent discount medical cards.

Conclusions:

  • The popularity of discount medical cards is a direct response to healthcare access challenges.
  • Lack of stringent regulation creates a fertile ground for deceptive practices.
  • Consumers seeking cost savings are at risk of encountering fraudulent programs.

More Related Videos

Digital Home-Monitoring of Patients after Kidney Transplantation: The MACCS Platform07:13

Digital Home-Monitoring of Patients after Kidney Transplantation: The MACCS Platform

Published on: April 12, 2021

Signal Acquisition, Score Interpretation, and Economics of a Non-Invasive Point-of-Care Test for Coronary Artery Disease06:16

Signal Acquisition, Score Interpretation, and Economics of a Non-Invasive Point-of-Care Test for Coronary Artery Disease

Published on: August 9, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Introduction To Health Care Delivery System01:18

Introduction To Health Care Delivery System

The healthcare system is constantly changing and complex. Various services are available from different healthcare providers, but gaining access to these services has become challenging for people with limited healthcare insurance. Uninsured people present a challenge to healthcare because they frequently postpone or forego treatment.
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) advocates for a patient-centered, effective, safe, timely, equitable, and effective healthcare system. The National Priorities...
Methods Of Healthcare Delivery System01:26

Methods Of Healthcare Delivery System

At the different levels of the healthcare system, we see varying methods of healthcare used. These methods include managed care systems, case management, and primary healthcare.
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is limited...
Preventive Healthcare Services01:30

Preventive Healthcare Services

Preventive healthcare services keep people healthy via frequent check-ups, screening, and counseling. They primarily aid in disease prevention rather than treating an acute or chronic illness. Preventive treatment also keeps individuals productive and energetic, allowing them to work well into their retirement years. Examples of preventive care services include:
Issues And Trends In Healthcare Delivery System01:29

Issues And Trends In Healthcare Delivery System

The issues and trends in healthcare delivery are constantly changing. The COVID-19 pandemic is one recent issue that wreaked havoc on healthcare systems, causing a shortage of healthcare workers, high demand for medicines and supplies, and increased medical expenditure due to a lack of insurance. Other issues include rising healthcare costs and care fragmentation.
Cost Containment
Payment for healthcare services has historically promoted adoption of costly and often unnecessary or inefficient...
Health Information Technology and Healthcare Information System01:30

Health Information Technology and Healthcare Information System

Health Information Technology (HIT)
Health Information Technology, commonly called HIT, integrates advanced information systems and technology in healthcare settings. Its primary functions include:
Prescription, Nonprescription and Orphan Drugs01:02

Prescription, Nonprescription and Orphan Drugs

Prescription drugs require a prescription from a medical practitioner and can only be obtained from a pharmacy. They have many applications, including treating pain, anxiety, and hypertension.
The misuse and addiction to prescription drugs is a growing problem that can affect people of all age groups, specifically teenagers. This can happen when prescription medications are used in ways not intended by the prescriber, such as taking someone else's prescription or using medication for...