# "Health Benefits Network" - real? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 12, 2010, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-benefits-network-real/556936 "2010-10-12T23:40:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-benefits-network-real/556936/61 "2011-07-26T02:36:15Z")
> [@Monica Koerperich](#): > > Today Monday, 7/25/2011 I got card in mail saying to take to pharmacy next time I get my medication, and save 75%. What did you find out about this co.? All we know is in this thread. Did you read through it? ---
**Author:** ![Monica\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@Monica\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monica_K)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-benefits-network-real/556936/62 "2011-07-26T02:54:07Z")
> [@Scuba\_Ben](#): > > (Magic 8-Ball says, “Signs point to no.”) > > I received in the mail today a “Pharmacy Discount Card” from “Health Benefits Network.” I have never heard of this organization. They don’t even have my full name on the mailing, a sure sign that they are working from a secondary source. > > Has anybody else received one of these? Does anybody know anything about this organization or this card? Is this real? useful? legit? trap-free? Alot of complaints on another page about the Co. So beware of the wolf in sheeps clothing. LOL. They know where to go for more money from us. Our medications. This co. is reported to make promises to people, and take their money and run. This I just read on another page of complaints. ---
**Author:** ![mick236](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@mick236](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mick236)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-benefits-network-real/556936/63 "2011-08-03T01:41:17Z")
I also recieved pharmacy discount card. Used it at local pharmacy the prescription came to $217.00 Gave the discount card and the total jumped to $234.00. My conclusion shred it!! ---
**Author:** ![ichini](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bc79bd/32.png) [@ichini](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ichini)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-benefits-network-real/556936/65 "2011-08-08T23:47:29Z")
> [@Scuba\_Ben](#): > > (Magic 8-Ball says, “Signs point to no.”) > > I received in the mail today a “Pharmacy Discount Card” from “Health Benefits Network.” I have never heard of this organization. They don’t even have my full name on the mailing, a sure sign that they are working from a secondary source. > > Has anybody else received one of these? Does anybody know anything about this organization or this card? Is this real? useful? legit? trap-free? Just recived one of these today, don’t know anything about them yet… ---
**Author:** ![LurkerInNJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ed655f/32.png) [@LurkerInNJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkerInNJ)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2011, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-benefits-network-real/556936/66 "2011-08-09T00:25:45Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > From their privacy policy page: Yes, I’m aware that access to my information was the price I paid for an $83.00 price drop (cost $207, paid $124) on a medication that was not covered by my insurance. ---
**Author:** ![morrisb1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@morrisb1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/morrisb1)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-benefits-network-real/556936/67 "2011-08-18T16:46:41Z")
> [@Scuba\_Ben](#): > > (Magic 8-Ball says, “Signs point to no.”) > > I received in the mail today a “Pharmacy Discount Card” from “Health Benefits Network.” I have never heard of this organization. They don’t even have my full name on the mailing, a sure sign that they are working from a secondary source. > > Has anybody else received one of these? Does anybody know anything about this organization or this card? Is this real? useful? legit? trap-free? [http://www.pharmacydiscountnetwork.com/privacy.html](http://www.pharmacydiscountnetwork.com/privacy.html) …read this before you use the card, then you decide. ---
**Author:** ![morrisb1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@morrisb1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/morrisb1)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-benefits-network-real/556936/68 "2011-08-18T16:49:20Z")
[http://www.pharmacydiscountnetwork.com/privacy.html](http://www.pharmacydiscountnetwork.com/privacy.html) ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-benefits-network-real/556936/69 "2011-08-18T19:12:03Z")
> [@morrisb1](#): > > [http://www.pharmacydiscountnetwork.com/privacy.html](http://www.pharmacydiscountnetwork.com/privacy.html) That’s pretty scary. It tells the numerous ways they require and collect personal information and the myriad of third parties they pass it along to. Just because it may be aggregated doesn’t fill me with a lot of confidence that I would be anonymous. ---
**Author:** ![krazikat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/838e76/32.png) [@krazikat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/krazikat)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-benefits-network-real/556936/72 "2011-09-28T22:54:32Z")
\*\*\*\*\*\*[COLOR=“Purple”]\*\*My husband got one of these cards - two of them in fact - from the Health Benefits Network in Washington DC. I have tried to find out more about them as we all know ‘if it sounds too good to be true it usually is’. I found your site from my search. My husband lost his job 18 months ago. His COBRA health insurance fortunately has an extra extension as we live in CA for another 18 months. Of course we are now paying full pop for this insurance, but lost the dental and eye coverage. If this card is legit it could help us out a lot. 😃 I am on disability and have Medicare, but also have Kaiser as my Medicare supplement insurance. Kaiser buys out the contract from Medicare so they have full control over the benefits they provide. They are very controlling about using any outside source for prescriptions to save money. You can jeopardize your membership if you go to a non-Kaiser pharmacy. :eek: Does anyone know if Kaiser would accept this card? 😕 Have people used this card successfully without any negative repercussions? 😕\*\*\*\*\*\* Thanks for any input to help! :D[/COLOR]\*\* ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-benefits-network-real/556936/73 "2011-09-28T22:59:52Z")
It sounds to me like you need to ask Kaiser about this, not us. ---
**Author:** ![krazikat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/838e76/32.png) [@krazikat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/krazikat)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2011, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-benefits-network-real/556936/74 "2011-09-29T10:44:38Z")
**I’m sorry Chronos - I am brand new to this group. After reading more of the comments it looks like having health insurance and using this card do not mix. My husband has COBRA health insurance. Doing anything that could jeopardize that is out of the question. It is definitely not worth the risk. Doing anything to possibly lose my coverage with Kaiser is also not worth the risk. The cards came saying that they were all ready approved and all ready to be used. How is that possible if we have never applied for them. Sounds like a phishing scam to me now that I think about it. Buyer Beware! I know all about those lists of collected personal information being sold to unscrupulous scammers and spammers. This feels like one of those ‘scams’ that become activated the first time you use the card and your personal information from the pharmacy is then collected for the list. I read over the website for the card and it promises not to share information, but they can say anything they want to on a website. Does not mean any of it is true. I think we shall pass on this ‘discount’. Sound like it would cost a lot more than it is worth in the end. \>^…^\<** ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2011, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-benefits-network-real/556936/75 "2011-09-29T11:00:56Z")
You are wise, **krazikat,** to be skeptical. But I think it wouldn’t hurt to check with Kaiser before discarding the card, as **Chronos** suggested. IMHO, you might indeed benefit financially, but lose privacy. Could be the benefits outweigh the sacrifices. At least that’s what I have gleaned from this thread discussion. ---
**Author:** ![LGasbarro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f9ae1b/32.png) [@LGasbarro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LGasbarro)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-benefits-network-real/556936/76 "2011-09-30T01:32:05Z")
> [@Scuba\_Ben](#): > > (Magic 8-Ball says, “Signs point to no.”) > > I received in the mail today a “Pharmacy Discount Card” from “Health Benefits Network.” I have never heard of this organization. They don’t even have my full name on the mailing, a sure sign that they are working from a secondary source. > > Has anybody else received one of these? Does anybody know anything about this organization or this card? Is this real? useful? legit? trap-free? I also received 2 Pharmacy Discount Cards today. I had never heard of them before either. I called the number listed at the bottom of the page (1-877-513-1935) and spoke to a very nice young man who explained everything to me. It sounds legit to me. I asked him how he received my name and he said sometimes people who are already users of the card will recommend other people who may be interested. I asked him if there is ever a fee or charge of any kind, he said there absolutely is no charge at all. I asked him who was behind this company and where they gets their funds from. He told me they are a company in D.C. who offers this discount card to people knowing the cost of meds today, particularly those who don’t have health coverage. The way they make money is when the pharmacy gives you the discount, they receive a percentage of that from the pharmacy, which is why the pharmacy is inclined to honor the card. If they don’t comply the customer would be inspired to use a different pharmacy. He said some small stores will not accept the card but most places do. And he said even if you do have health insurance you can also receive a discount. I also asked him about the percentage, it said “up to 75%” - so I asked what the average savings was and he told the average is 25-30%, he seemed very honest and forthcoming. I may be naive, but it all sounded very feasible to me. Like I said he was more than forthcoming with every question I asked him. I of course haven’t had a chance to try mine yet, but I am definitely going to use it on my next visit to my pharmacy. If you have any other questions, I would advise you to call that number - they are very nice and answer all you questions. ---
**Author:** ![LGasbarro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f9ae1b/32.png) [@LGasbarro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LGasbarro)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-benefits-network-real/556936/77 "2011-09-30T01:55:44Z")
> [@dahman](#): > > I also received a card from this business. I checked with the BBB and Health Benefits is not accredited. The Network has not supplied management or business type information to the bureau. It may be an information gathering system. My guess is they’re collecting data to sell to other companies. This isn’t illegal, of course, but it’s not something most people are amenable to. I called Health Benefits Network and told them they were not accredited by the BBB and had 6 complaints. The man on the phone told me he was not aware of this and said the complaints were probably from people who had tried to use the card at a small business with a pharmacy which he said usually will not honor the card but added that most companies do. He told me that the benefit to them from us using the card is that they receive a percentage of the discount from the pharmacy. The pharmacy is inclined to comply because they could lose business if the customer goes to another pharmacy that does comply. ---
**Author:** ![LGasbarro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f9ae1b/32.png) [@LGasbarro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LGasbarro)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-benefits-network-real/556936/78 "2011-09-30T02:00:32Z")
> [@Jolson](#): > > This is a quote from the BBB sight, hope this helps the curious: > > Based on BBB files, this business has a BBB Rating of No Rating. The reason is as follows: This business has no rating because BBB has information indicating it is out of business. > > Health Benefit Network was brought to BBB’s attention in May, 2008. HBN claims an address of 8775 Centre Park Drive, Columbia, MD, 21045 on their Web site [www.healthben.com](http://www.healthben.com), and has also given this address to a consumer. Jennifer Stephan with Continental Realty, the company who manages the suites at this address, verified with BBB that there is no Health Benefit Network located at 8775 Centre Park Drive, Columbia, MD, 21045. > > When BBB contacted HBN at their toll free number a representative gave HBN’s address as 300 International Drive, Suite 100, Williamsville, NY. HBN explained to BBB that their marketing company, Prime Liberty occupied the MD address listed. They stated a supervisor would get back to BBB, thus far no one from HBN has contacted the BBB representative back. > > BBB then verified with Continental Realty that there is no Prime Liberty located at the 8775 Centre Park Drive, MD address. A legitimate Healthcare Discount Company, Prime Liberty, occupies the Williamsville, NY, address given by HBN to a BBB representative, and this company claims no association with Health Benefit Network. > > Reportedly, HBN contacted a consumer via telephone and attempted to sell him a Healthcare Benefit Discount Plan. They informed him that there was a one time non-refundable fee of $129.99 and they would need his credit card information. According to the consumer, when he asked for some type of documentation or contract the representative refused and said he would receive this information after they charge his account. The consumer claims extreme profanity was used against him and then he was hung up on. When I spoke to Health Benefits Network he told me they were located in D.C. and the return address on my envelope is: 4410 Mass. Ave #106, Wash., D.C. ---
**Author:** ![LGasbarro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f9ae1b/32.png) [@LGasbarro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LGasbarro)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-benefits-network-real/556936/79 "2011-09-30T02:04:41Z")
> [@aiya33](#): > > I received a free Pharmacy Discount Card in the mail like so many other people, and when i checked on the name on the back (LOEW Enterprises)that backs lots of different companies and enterprises such as in China…it didn’t seem to be a really legitimate card…especially since I didn’t ask for it…I’m not going to use it even if it has discount..because I don’t want them to access any of my pharmacy info or anything else personal… I don’t know if it was just a typo, but my card lists the company as LOEB, not LOEW. I haven’t researched LOEB, so I don’t know if this will make a difference or not. ---
**Author:** ![LGasbarro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f9ae1b/32.png) [@LGasbarro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LGasbarro)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-benefits-network-real/556936/80 "2011-09-30T02:07:55Z")
> [@boboskeewhanttintatin](#): > > So, I too received the same card by snail mail… I was reluctant to use it but thought twice when the $350 a month, ins. policy, I can barely afford, refused to cover any of my mental health medications:mad: Being they were not considered “needed” by some random all knowing power that be. (This would be Restat prescription coverage.) “They” seem to know better, than my Dr. and my body what is best for my specific situation… > > Needless to say, I went ahead and used the discount card at CVS. The normal cash price I pay out of pocket a month is $264… for 3 uncovered medications. With the discount card, I walked out having only paid $172. The most expensive med, a generic adhd, normally runs me $145… I only paid $62, which was the most significant discount. > > With that said, today I went to fill some refills and now Cvs is saying my insurance will not cover ANY MEDS… BUT, I can use the discount card. I paid 2X as much for my scripts today, although they were still cheaper than the normal cost… > > Any thoughts on how this could happen? I’ve been on hold with my insurance company for almost 45 mins… noone has an explanation. > > I’ll be back with the results!! If I were you I would call Health Benefit Network (1-877-513-1935). I called them several times with questions and found them to be very helpful and forthcoming. ---
**Author:** ![LGasbarro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f9ae1b/32.png) [@LGasbarro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LGasbarro)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-benefits-network-real/556936/81 "2011-09-30T02:12:58Z")
> [@super\_granny](#): > > I have recieved three of these carrds, today was the third one. I have not read that anyone else had a name of a drug that they may be using. In my letter in the upper right corner was the name of my drugs, which I had just gotten filled a month ago. The first cards I recieved I called and told them I did not request the card and to take me off of their list. Cut the cards up. Todays letter said it was my LAST CHANCE. I called the pharmacy that I use, thinking that they sold the info. to another company. The manager gave me the corp. number and I talked to a person there. They assured me that they don’t sell info. especially drug info. They suggested that I call my local police and report it. The lady at the corp. office gave me a ref. number and that they were going to investigate from their end. If anyone else has recieved a letter with drug info on it , that is personal info. that nobody should have except you and your dr. The other thing with this card is if it cvost you nothing to use it, how does the company make money? I don’t believe that there is a company out there just giving it away. I received 2 cards today for the first time. I called the company and asked them what they get out of doing this since there is no charge, they told me that they receive a percentage of the discount the pharmacy gives to you. And there was no drug info on my letter. ---
**Author:** ![LGasbarro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f9ae1b/32.png) [@LGasbarro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LGasbarro)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-benefits-network-real/556936/82 "2011-09-30T02:18:44Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > So, RAYLEARNED, since I doubt that anyone would give you free groceries just because of your misuse of font cases, just how do you think the discount card company makes their money? It must come from something you have to offer, like medical and personal data. Was there any fine print that could shed some light on that? When I called the company and asked them how they made any money doing this since there is no charge to us. They told me they receive a percentage of the discount that is given to us. ---
**Author:** ![LGasbarro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f9ae1b/32.png) [@LGasbarro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LGasbarro)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-benefits-network-real/556936/83 "2011-09-30T02:26:32Z")
> [@confusedcitizen](#): > > I to received a Health Benefits Network Pharmacy Discount Card in todays mail. This must be a mass marketing ploy gathering some type of information. > I wanted to say that the address used on the envelope I received is different then I saw above. > Mine is: > 4110 Mass Ave #106 > Washington, DC 20016 > It appears that there is no Mass Ave #106 when searched. They have it listed on google as their address but it doesn’t seem to exist. It also appears there is no Mass Ave…However there is a Massachusetts Ave.. > When I looked on their website at their privacy page, it’ not reassuring. > Something stinks here and I will certainly avoid it. I am not interested in handing my information to scam artists…At least let them work for it…lol… I’m curious now about what was said about Massachusetts Ave., which is the correct address. If you look at your envelope the address is listed as: Mass. Ave., which would be an abbreviation for Massachusetts Ave. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-benefits-network-real/556936.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-benefits-network-real/556936.md?page=5)