APRIL 2004

Plastic For Pills

Beginning this summer, United Health Group plans to issue patients identity cards that look a lot like MasterCard’s. However, the cards may be used only for the purchases of health-care products: prescriptions, eyeglasses, or visits to a doctor or physical therapist. Since MasterCard rules specify that only banks are allowed to issue such plastic, United Health created such a card, calling it Extant. The card provides its holders with flexible spending accounts, medical savings accounts, and health care savings accounts. The Group provides information about co-pay accounts and will also enable doctors to verify the patients’ eligibility.