With the cost of health care continuing to climb, some consumers are looking into discount medical cards. The Better Business Bureau is advising consumers to do their homework to ensure they don't get stuck with a card or plan that doesn't deliver the promised savings.

According to a recent survey by Hewitt Associates, employees are paying an average of $3,354 in premiums for family coverage, more than double the amount they paid in 1999. Premiums have risen 31/2 times faster than wages over the same time period.

Discount medical cards save subscribers money by offering discounts, for a monthly fee, on health care needs such as physician visits, hospital stays and prescriptions. The confusion lies in that the cards are not a form of health care insurance and not subject to the same regulatory oversight as insurance, and the cards are not accepted by all physicians or pharmacies.

BBB has received complaints from consumers who signed up for discount medical card programs and were disappointed with the lack of convenience and realized savings. Complainants say they were misled by advertisements and duped by sales pitches into thinking they would save hundreds, or even thousands of dollars, but later found out only a limited number of physicians and pharmacies accepted the cards. Some report having been scammed by telemarketers who sold them a program but only took their money.

BBB advises that, before signing up for any discount medical care or card program, consumers should get answers in writing:

- What is the annual cost of the plan? (Don't be swayed by exaggerated savings claims. "Up to 40 percent" does not mean a guaranteed 40 percent savings.)

- What are the benefits of the discount? What products and services are/are not covered?

- Which local health care providers and facilities accept the discount card? If the sales person refuses to provide a list, do not do business with them.

- Who do I call if I have a problem with the discount plan? Can I cancel my membership at any time? Is there a cancellation fee? What is the refund policy?

Consumers should steer clear if they are pressured to "act now" because this is a "one-time offer" and be extremely wary of cold-call telemarketers. Also, to avoid ID theft or being scammed, do not do business with salespeople or companies that insist on debit card or bank account information or require that payment be wired to the company.

Before purchasing, consumers should first check the company out at www.bbb.org.

KELVIN COLLINS IS PRESIDENT/CEO OF THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU OF CENTRAL GEORGIA & THE CSRA, INC. SERVING 41 COUNTIES IN CENTRAL GEORGIA AND THE CENTRAL SAVANNAH RIVER.