Have you seen this advertisement in your local paper? It has started popping up around the country and is getting a fair amount of attention from consumers, consumer groups and the media. Why? Because the so-called "Universal Health Card" does not appear to deliver what it promises.
Here is a sample of what others have to say:
Universal Health Card: Real or Scam? (WFAA, Hunstville, AL)
'Free health card' ad is confusing (The New & Observer, Raleigh, NC)
BBB Says Discount Card May Not Offer Consumers Many Savings (WAAY, Huntsville, AL)
Alarmist health card ad (The New & Observer, Raleigh, NC)
Universal Health Card--Money for Nothing (Consumer Blog)
Don't Get Duped (NY Better Business Bureau)
The RI Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner issued a consumer alert after this advertisement appeared in last Thursday's Providence Journal.
Why did we issue the alert?
1. The ad is misleading because it appears to be an article, but is not.
2. The ad is misleading because it suggests that the card is "free", but there is an $18 "registration" fee.
3. The ad is misleading because it attempts to veil the fact that the card costs $49 per month. The amount "$49" is never printed out, but is spelled out ("forty nine dollars") and is hard to find in this lengthy advertisement.
4. The card does not explain what the discounts are.
5. The advertisement alleges that thousands of health care providers accept the card, but several people who have looked into this have found that this is simply not the case. The card's website provided a list of local RI doctors and hospitals that allegedly accepted the card. I personally called a half dozen doctors and three hospitals. None had ever heard of the card and none accepted it. Someone from one hospital, Roger Williams, told me that they have contacted the Universal Health Card and have demanded to be taken off the company's list of providers.
The bottom line: The buyer should beware.
