A Florida consumer buys a discount medical plan membership and then visits a participating physician. What does the consumer actually receive from the plan?

Why A is correct

Under Florida law, with the Office of Insurance Regulation regulating these organizations, a discount medical plan membership gives the consumer only the right to pay the discounted fees that participating providers have agreed to charge; the consumer remains personally responsible for the resulting bill. No claims are paid, no insurance is issued, and no HMO-style service package is delivered, which is exactly the consumer-protection point Florida stresses for these products.

Why the other options are wrong

• B) The plan pays nothing toward the bill; payment of medical expenses is the function of insurance, which a DMPO is not.
• C) A discount card is not a guaranteed issue insurance policy; no coverage is issued at all.
• D) An HMO delivers a comprehensive package of basic health services; a discount plan delivers discounted fees only.

Memory hook

Discount card = lower price, still your bill.