discount medical card program

The Dental Benefit provides nationwide coverage through a network of credentialed practitioners. Members save on routine, preventive care, and more extensive treatments such as fillings, crowns, root canals, dentures, oral surgery and orthodontics. Although discounts may vary based on geographic region, the average range of discount is between 10% - 50% for most dental services.

• Network of 24,000 participating providers
• Present your card to the health care provider before services are rendered

The Vision Benefit provides nationwide coverage for purchase of corrective eyewear, contact lenses and related sundries. Network Providers are appropriately licensed and certified or otherwise qualified under state law. The Provider network includes several nationwide retail outlets.

Benefits include:

Discounts

• 20-60% on glasses and non-disposable contact lenses;
• 10-40% on disposable contact lenses (available by mail order only);
• 10-30% on procedures including eye exams and LASIK.

Convenience

• The Vision Care Network is comprised of Providers nationwide. Simply select a Provider and present the card before services are rendered. Your discount is automatically provided up front.
• Over 13,000 Eye Care Professionals in network including J.C. Penney, Lenscrafters, Pearle Vision, Sears Optical and Target Optical.

• No Restrictions or Limitations. Members are entitled to use the Vision Benefit to purchase as many products as they need, as often as they desire. There are no limits on the number of times you and your family may use the benefit during the year. Simply present your Program Membership Card at the participating optical location and you will be eligible to receive the discounted price. Select the eyewear of your choice; almost all lenses, colors, sizes and add-ons such as ultra-violet protection, scratch coating and tints are available.

Replacement contact lenses can be ordered through the mail order service at 10% - 40% discounts from retail costs. All major brands and types of contact lenses are available through the mail order service. Members can call and receive price quotes for brands and other information over the telephone.

• The Best Benefits Program Vision Benefit guarantees satisfaction and the lowest price.
• If a member is dissatisfied with a purchase at a retail location or through the mail order service within 30 days they can receive a full refund on the returned eye wear.
• If a member finds a lower price on prescription eye wear purchased through a participating provider within 30 days, the difference will be refunded by the participating provider.

The Hearing Benefit provides the most cost competitive services in the hearing care industry. The Provider's retail rates, even before the discount, are extremely competitive and affordable. Members receive a 10% - 20% savings from the Provider's everyday low price.

This Benefit includes:

• Basic Audiologic Testing at base prices of $49.00 ($59.00 in CA and NY)or less, including air conduction, bone conduction and word recognition tests.
• Hearing Aids. Members receive a 10% - 20% discount from Providers' usual fees for hearing aids and hearing aid repairs (except batteries). An additional charge may apply for an earmold for a behind-the-ear appliance. Members receive a10% discount on programmable hearing aids.
• Free Consultation about noise exposure in the workplace and at home.
• Maintenance. Free annual cleaning and check of hearing aids purchased through the Program.
• During the first year from the date of delivery, the Provider will replace any hearing aid with the same model if the aid has been repaired three times or more through no fault of the member. Members also receive a free loaner during any repair period.

Members receive an unconditional 45-day refund policy on hearing aids with the exception of a $35.00 fee the hearing Provider is entitled to retain plus the cost of a custom ear mold charge if required. The hearing Provider shall make all repairs to a defective hearing aid through the manufacturer's warranty period. If the hearing aid needs to be shipped back to the manufacturer, a loaner will be made available at no cost.

Each participating audiologist Provider is required to have an active license, in good standing, and verification of malpractice insurance. The credentialing information is monitored on an ongoing basis.

The Chiropractic Benefit reduces costs for regular preventive maintenance care as well as for acute chronic problems. Members may see the chiropractor as often as they need. Payment at the reduced fee is made to the doctor at the time of treatment.

The participating chiropractic Providers adhere to nationally recognized standards for credentialing and quality assurance.

Benefits include:

• Free initial consultation
• $35.00 initial examination (an $80.00 value)
• Savings on x-rays and diagnostic services
• 20% savings on all other services

Note: There are no limits to the number of visits with this benefit. The benefit cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount program.

The Prescription Drug Benefit is offered through a nationwide network of over 53,000 pharmacies including major chains and smaller independent pharmacies. This benefit provides discounts of an average of 20% on most branded and generic prescription drugs at those pharmacies.

The Prescription Drug Benefit provides savings on both generic and name brand prescriptions, and allows for unlimited use by the member. Prescription drug discounts vary depending upon the formula used by each chain when establishing both retail prices and average wholesale costs for their products. Also, certain drugs are sold as “loss leaders” and the pharmacies retail price may be lower than the Best Benefits Program discounted price. In this situation, members will pay the store's lowest price.

An important component of the Prescription Drug Benefit is the mail order service option. The mail order service provides a discount on either brand name or generic drugs. A 90-day supply of the prescription drug can be sent by mail order. The mail order pharmacy program is especially convenient for maintenance prescriptions. Members save time and money as trips to the pharmacy are reduced. Orders are usually processed within 48 hours and are mailed via first class mail

The Vitamin and Nutritional Supplements Benefit is offered nationwide through a mail order service at savings of 25% - 50% below suggested catalog prices on vitamins, non-prescription medications, beauty supplies, and nutritional supplements. All products carry a 100% unconditional money back guarantee.

The Home Medical Equipment Benefit offers a broad selection of products and has long-standing relationships with most major manufacturers. This ensures that you will receive the product that best meets your needs at discounts of 5% - 15%. To place an order, call 1-800-308-0374. Please be sure to have as much detail as possible on the product or type of home medical equipment you need.

Some of the products that are available to you include ambulatory aids such as walkers, canes, and crutches; blood pressure devices; diabetic supplies including glucometers and test strips; orthopedic products such as braces, supports and collars; aids for daily living; respiratory products including nebulizers and allergy products; and many, many more.

The Podiatry Benefit provides a 50% discount on the initial exam and 20% discounts on all other services and products. The network is comprised of over 3,000 podiatrists nationwide.

The Podiatry Benefit provides members with the opportunity to receive savings on top quality services from America's leading podiatric physicians, through the American Footcare Network, a division of Healthcare Networks of America, Inc. The podiatric physicians that members can choose from are specially trained to meet patient foot and ankle care needs at reduced rates. Providers agree to the quality and pricing standards established by the Best Benefits Program.

Benefits include:

Initial Exam and Consultation – Savings of 50%

• Complete Gait Analysis
• X-Ray
• Neurological Exam
• Vascular Exam

Treatment Programs – Savings of 20%

• Heel Pain
• Bunions
• Hammer Toes
• Ingrown Toenails
• Diabetes
• Arch Pain
• Arthritis
• Foot Orthotics
• Other Foot and Ankel Problems

Note: The Best Benefits Program cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount plan but may be used in coordination with some plans.

(available only to Extended Plan subscribers)

In an effort to assist members to become more informed about their healthcare, this benefit provides a toll-free telephone service that allows members to ask questions and receive information about their health, illnesses, and medications.

The 24-Hour Nurse Helpline Benefit is a proven health information program that combines confidential medical counseling to help make informed decisions about their health and the medical care they receive. However, our nurses do not diagnose or provide treatment. This information center is staffed by Registered Nurses currently averaging more than 15 years experience. Counseling protocols used are continuously reviewed by the College of Physicians and Surgeons and Columbia University.

Members have unlimited access to registered nurses via a toll-free number 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. These nurses are specially trained to offer prompt, confidential medical counseling to help make informed decisions about health and the medical care they receive. However, the nurses do not diagnose or provide treatment.

Benefits include:

• Toll-free, confidential availability to registered nurses 24 hours a day at 1-800-982-2401
• Access to a library of audiotapes on over 700 health topics. Please call 1-800-308-0374 to request a booklet.
• Information about self care techniques for common symptoms
• Explanations on what to expect during medical tests
• Help from registered nurses who can answer questions regarding such topics as:
  • Diagnostic and surgical procedures
  • Recently diagnosed medical condition
  • Prescription and over the counter medication information

You can also go online to get valuable information on living a healthy lifestyle. Log onto www.healthinfoseeker.com and use Bestbenefits as your login ID. The website will guide you to the information you need or want.

(available only to Extended Plan subscribers)

Senior Care Search Service & Discount Benefit provides access to a network of Care Advocates who will assist in determining the appropriate level of care needed and the selection of an appropriate care provider; including assisted living facilities, skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies. The quality of care, location, and the specific needs will be considered as the Care Advocate conducts a customized search for the member and dependents.

This search includes access to a network of assisted living facilities, skilled nursing facilities and home health care agencies who agree to provide discounts of 5% - 30% off their usual private pay rates.

To access the service, simply call the Best Benefits Program's toll-free customer service line (800-308-0374) and one of the many representatives can assist with any questions and direct the call to a Care Advocate for assistance with a Provider location search. Once a Provider/facility is selected, the Care Advocate will contact the Provider/facility to make an initial introduction and confirm the applicable discount and service availability.

If a non-participating Provider is selected, the Care Advocate will contact the selected Provider/facility and attempt to negotiate a discount.

(available only to Extended Plan subscribers)

Complementary / Alternative Medicine Benefit provides referral to qualified, credentialed alternative medicine practitioners including acupuncturists, herbologists, massage therapists, nutritionists, who provide discounts of 20% off of their usual fees.

Some of the Complementary / Alternative Care Modalities:

• Acupuncture
• Biofeedback
• Chealation Theraphy
• Chiropractic
• Colonic Irrigation
• Fitness Training
• Health Clubs
• Herbology
• Holistic Medicine
• Homeopathy
• Hyponotherapy
• Kinesiology
• Magnetic Therapy
• Massage Therapy
• Meditation
• Mind-Body Therapy

• Natural Foods
• Natural Pharmacy
• Naturopathy
• Nutraceuticals
• Nutrition
• Podiatry
• Phychotherapy
• Qi Gong
• Reiki
• Shiatsu
• Spa Treatment
• Stress Management
• Tai Chi
• Therapeutic Touch
• Yoga

On-line Vitamins are available at a 25% discount.

(Not available to residents of CT, FL & NY  and  available only to Extended Plan subscribers)

The Emergency Travel Benefit provides access to the Assistance Provider through Lifeguard Travel Services. Lifeguard currently covers over 12 million participants and offers 24-hour seven-days-a-week worldwide access to multilingual representatives to assist members with a wide variety of travel related situations such as emergency air evacuation and assistance in obtaining medical care both within the United States and abroad when traveling more than 100 miles from your permanent residence. The benefit also includes services such as emergency legal assistance and insurance coordination.

All services in connection with this benefit must be pre-approved by Lifeguard and arranged by the Assistance Provider.

• Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation. If a member suffers an illness or injury while traveling over 100 miles away from home, and cannot be treated by a local medical facility, they are transported by the most appropriate means to the nearest hospital capable of providing necessary treatment.
• Transportation of Mortal Remains. If a member loses their life while traveling over 100 miles from home, the deceased's remains will be returned to the member's place of residence.
• Transportation of Escort. If the member needs emergency evacuation by air ambulance or repatriation by covered commercial airline, their spouse, other family member, or companion is free to accompany the member in flight, subject to space availability with priority given to the medical equipment and personnel.
• Family Visitation. If a member is traveling alone and is expected to be hospitalized for more than seven days, the spouse or another family member will be flown in to be with the member. Also, expenses for accommodations and transportation during their stay, up to $100.00 per day for 10 days are covered. All covered expenses in connection with Family Visitation must be pre-approved by the Assistance Provider.
• Minor Children Return/Escort. If a member requires emergency evacuation, hospitalization for over 24 hours, or in the event of death, any minor children left unattended will be transported home.
• Vehicle Return. The travel Assistance Provider will return the vehicle to the member's home and bear the cost of up to $1,000.00 when illness, injury, or death requires emergency evacuation or repatriation and the member is unable to drive the vehicle.
• 24-Hour Information Service is available seven days a week to provide helpful information before and during travel. The multilingual staff is prepared to assist and coordinate the management of a wide variety of travel related situations. Services include information on required documents, immunization requirements, State Department Travel Advisory warnings, weather and hazard information about foreign locations and more.
• Medical Monitoring. If a member needs to be medically monitored, the Travel Assist Provider's duty physician will monitor the case, while acting as a liaison between the patient, the local treating physician, and the family physician, as needed.
• Medical Referral. Provides referrals to a local doctor or hospital when a member needs help in locating a doctor or hospital while traveling.
• Guarantee of Medical Expenses. If a member needs help for overseas claims, the Travel Assist Provider will arrange for payment, or the guarantee of payment, to Providers based on the member's personal resources.
• Insurance Coordination. If a member needs help for overseas claims, the Travel Assist Provider will assist in coordinating the claims procedure with the appropriate insurance program.
• Lost Documentation Service. If a member needs help to replace lost or stolen travel documents (i.e., passport, baggage, tickets, credit cards, etc.) the Travel Assistance Provider will advise and assist where possible in their replacement.
• Legal Assistance. If a member needs help arranging bail, local attorneys, embassies, cash advance, coordination or payment for legal services from available resources of the traveler, the Travel Assist Provider will provide referrals.
• Emergency Delivery of Prescription Items. If a member needs prescription medication or lenses not available locally, the Travel Assist Provider will organize the delivery of the prescribed item when possible and legally permissible, upon written authorization of the prescribing physician.
• Emergency Cash Transfers and Advances. The Travel Assist Provider will, based on the member's personal resources, arrange for emergency cash advances and transfers through additional sources including hotels, banks, Western Union, etc., if a member needs cash as a result of loss or theft. Limit of $500 per transaction. All transactions are subject to government availability and availability of personal credit.

Additional information detailing more specific terms and conditions of this benefit can be obtained by contacting Best Benefit's Customer Service at 1-800-308-0374, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Central Standard Time. When calling the customer service number, please reference the GeoCare Benefits Program.