Mini-Rant: Discount Cards

We've written before about health care discount cards, and the generally low esteem in which we hold them. There are times, of course, when they're appropriate, but I find the marketing gimmicks to be (at the very least) misleading: "All health conditions covered," and "no waiting periods," for example. Of course such plans are in effect immediately, for pretty much any condition: they're not insurance, so there's no underwriting.

But the latest iteration really set me off. See if you can spot the offending "benefit:"

Catch that second line? "Any citizenship status accepted" No matter what one's take is on the current state of either health care or health insurance, it boggles the mind that these folks are encouraging people who are here illegally, and misleading them, as well. This is offensive, and yet there's precious little that can be done about it.

Why, you ask?

Because these are not insurance plans, state departments of insurance have little (if any) power to regulate them [ed: not necessarily - see comments], or even hold them accountable.

Sheesh!