Aetna To Market Discount Cards To Employers

A large health insurer has come out with a new option for employers that have decided not to offer major medical coverage.

Aetna Inc., Hartford, has developed a Vital Savings on Health prepaid debit card program.

Employees who have the cards can use them to get immediate, preferred provider organization-like discounts in the offices of any health care providers who can accept Visa cards and choose to participate in the discount network.

The card can provide discounts of about 10% to 50% on routine doctor visits and about 10% to 40% off the average wholesale price of prescription drugs, Aetna says.