Sam's Club Health Insurance? Retailer Selling $99 Plan

CNN Money:

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Beginning this month, Sam's Club shoppers stocking up on milk, detergent and toilet paper, can now also throw a basic health service package into their shopping cart.

The package, which will cost $99, is called "The Prevention Plan" and is offered by U.S. Preventive Medicine.

Read the whole story: CNN Money

Comments

[USPM]

12:11 PM on 02/03/2011

It's not Health Insurance, it gives people access to personal health information the way a financial planner helps people handle there money http://youtu.be/Rdu8v4ZGQko

[cameron d]

10:06 AM on 01/14/2011

Wow, that was a misleading headline.

[MSaxe]

07:05 PM on 01/13/2011

Yea....you can pick it up over in the Meat Section next to the baloney.

[noob1]

12:43 PM on 01/13/2011

The health insurance industrys claim that they are a legitimate business is hereby denied, eh?

[denbeath]

12:19 PM on 01/13/2011

"Sam's Club Health Insurance? Retailer Selling $99 Plan"

Very deceptive headline. This is a 'service' not Insurance.

[hobo62]

12:01 PM on 01/13/2011

Sounds like a $100 rip-off to me.

[fsgoldstein]

09:43 AM on 01/13/2011

As president of U.S. Preventive Medicine, the American company with American employees, providing The Prevention Plan, I would like to clarify a few misconceptions.
The Prevention Plan is a fully accredited (NCQA and URAC), HIPAA compliant, science-based health service with members across the country.
It is not an insurance product. It offers a comprehensive program built upon a 24/7 secure website with telephonic health coaching, lab tests, and online education and action programs designed to:
1) Keep the healthy people healthy, and/or improve the health of those with risks or conditions
2) Find risk factors early
3) Manage chronic conditions to improve outcomes
The program complements, but does not take the place of, the care provided by the individual’s physician. It is physician-designed and our advisory board includes some of the country’s foremost medical experts.
A study in Population Health Management documents the results The Prevention Plan achieved in reducing many common and important risk factors, including high blood pressure, high blood sugar and stress. This study is available on our website.
Today health care costs continue to increase, and people are less healthy than ever due to factors such as obesity, lack of exercise and poor diets. This trend is unsustainable. The only real solution is to prevent diseases from forming in the first place.
www.USPreventiveMedicine.com
www.SamsClub.com/HealthyLiving
Fred Goldstein

[Konnie]

09:40 AM on 01/13/2011

considering the intelligence of the shoppers - these are the same folks who don't understand any of the health reforms, and regularly shoot themselves in the foot in the voting booth, i see disaster ahead. they will shell out the $99 they cannot afford, never read it (and if they do, not comprehend what they are reading) and then demand treatment because they have a "policy from walmart". sad - truely sad!

[rickgman85]

09:37 AM on 01/13/2011

BTW, this article headline is wrong...it's not health insurance and the company doesn't say it is...I understand what the small business quote is about. I own a small printing business, but can't afford insurance for my workers...this seems like something that will help them maintain their health so that they can take control instead of waiting until something happens. My mother can't afford insurance and it isn't offered through her job...but I'd like her to stay healthy so she doesn't need a doc for an illness she could've avoided.

[Fabini]

09:03 AM on 01/13/2011

It's easy to be cynical about any of Walmart's (or Sam's Clubs) community outreach plans, but I have to applaud them for this one. Getting people more active in their healthcare, that is being proactive, is a good step forward. Additionally, I believe access to trained registered nurses is a very positive step forward. Nurses can diagnose and treat 85% of all people's common maladies. This early intervention will be a positive improvement in people's lives.

[rickgman85]

08:56 AM on 01/13/2011

I think this is a good deal...ppl are saying we can get this advice/direction free from health departments and libraries....really?! If we already had all the answers and the free advice is everywhere, why is our country the fattest and most unhealthy in the world?? Let's be real about this...who cares who's selling it, if it can help people and is affordable, I'm for it. I don't have all the answers and my doc rarely knows how to be healthy (he's more unhealthy than me). While govt sorts out healthcare, we just keep getting sick...about time something can help us help ourselves.

[AZreb]

08:46 AM on 01/13/2011

Okey-dokey - just a little funny thought when I read the title of this article and a question that popped into my mind: "will the owners of this be sent to China for treatment?"

[brianaw1993]

07:24 AM on 01/13/2011

I think this is a great idea. Its going for a good cause and it can help many people figure out whats wrong before going to a doctor. This prevention plan takes a step forward to health care and it shows that some of these local stores want to help. And not keep relining on the government to help us get health care or a close form of it. I think this would help out many communities that have Wal-Marts and Sam's Clubs. Even though it doesn't guarantee doctor visits and just gives us nurse line its a good prevention plan and not that costly.

[DingyHarry]

01:18 AM on 01/13/2011

I own a stethoscope, an electronic blood pressure cuff and a cheap thermometer, can I start selling "insurance" too?

[Fabini]

09:04 AM on 01/13/2011

If you are a trained registered nurse, yes you should be involved.

[DingyHarry]

10:42 AM on 01/13/2011

Well, no, I'm not, but I could definitely offer my services cheap and market them as "insurance."

[bthechangeyouseek]

12:29 AM on 01/13/2011

"One of the hottest topics among small business owners is health care for small business employees," said Jeff Ridgway, senior vice president with USPM. "Many employers don't offer any health care access to their workers because of the cost. This program is one option they can offer associates."

Seriously, the wording and how this is sold should be watched very closely. Many people will think they are getting health coverage. This is nothing more than a ploy to get your money. If you do need a doctor, they will take additional tests. To say it's something small businesses should offer employees, is a joke.

[AZreb]

08:43 AM on 01/13/2011

fanned - just another way to get money from those who can least afford it. "At home" tests? How many will read the results properly? You can be sure that if there is any problem, the plan nurses and doctors will tell you to go see your own GP or specialist.