Strange as it may sound, but getting your friends and family members a medical gift card could be both a gracious and lifesaving gift. To often in America, we take for granted that everyone has health insurance, when simply that isn’t the case. A big hit around christmas time are the medical gift cards. These cards act like typical visa credit cards, but they are made specifically for the health care industry and will cover doctor co pay costs, in patient fees, outpatient fees, plastic surgery augmentation and many others.

This is the sort of gift card that people need and will use in the coming year. Think of it as a perfect gift for an elderly couple, grandparents or even your own parents. Some people are on a fixed income and most of their monthly bills go towards medications under current health care laws. Why not help them out by getting them medical gift cards?

These medical gift cards are easily purchased at the vendors listed on this site. Most give a limit of $5,000 to be put on each gift card, but you can purchase more health care gift cards if you’d like with different amounts.

Think of your loved ones during the holiday and give them the gift of health- it’ll mean more than that sweater you bought them

So what’s interesting below is the following: whomever you give these gift cards to can use them as tax writeoffs! Another great aspect of this gift card program. The recipient reaps the benefits of the actual card and they can apply the card as a legitimate medical expense on their taxes. How cool is that?

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Card issued by Visa can be used to pay for health-related services alone

NEW YORK: The world will be spending more than $26 billion on gift cards this year. And just when you thought there’s nothing new under the Christmas tree along comes one for “good health.”

When it comes to Christmas presents, Stacey Smith was stumped over what to give to her husband’s grandmother. “Especially an older person … they really have everything they need,” Smith said.

But now she’s found something that fits perfectly — the “gift of health” through a medical gift card. “She can use it towards her prescriptions and her medical bills or anything like that,” Smith said.

This gift card can be used for doctors’ visits or deductibles, prescription co-pays, contact lenses and even elective surgery. “It’s a first of its kind; no one has ever offered a gift card like this,” said Kim Bellard of givewell.com. The card is issued by Visa, so it can be used anywhere Visa is accepted for health-related services. They are not sold in stores and need to be purchased online or over the phone for up to $5,000.

“The peak audience we believe though is women 35-50, the sandwich generation,” Bellard said. “So, they’ve got parents that have health needs, and they’ve got a spouse that has health needs, and older children going off to college or living on their own that have health needs.”

How does the card impact medical deductions? The person who uses it gets any eligible write-off.

“Be sure to record how much you spent on that card because that is a legitimate medical expense that you can use when you fill out your taxes,” said Jack Gillis of the Consumer Federation of America.

If you’re buying the card ask the typical gift card questions. “Check out the fees, check out the expiration date, check out what happens if you lose the card,” Gillis said.

Smith is now considering picking up another one. “We’re actually thinking about getting one for my mother who wants to join a gym and you can use it for a membership,” Smith said. As with many gift cards, this one come with a fee — $5 plus whatever you load onto the card.

I found this today while searching for news on bringing this new phenomenon to the masses. I agree with the pundits out there- these medical gift cards have the right idea going. Let’s get medical treatment for those who need it or are to embarrased to go get treated because they can’t afford it. Or if you want to buy your wife a breast augmentation surgery, here’s your chance!

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NEW YORK (CBS) ― We will be spending more than $26 billion on gift cards this year. And just when you thought there’s nothing new under the Christmas tree along comes one for “good health.”

When it comes to Christmas presents, Stacey Smith was stumped over what to give to her husband’s grandmother.

“Especially an older person … they really have everything they need,” Smith said.

But now she’s found something that fits perfectly — the “gift of health” through a medical gift card.

“She can use it towards her prescriptions and her medical bills or anything like that,” Smith said.

This gift card can be used for doctors’ visits or deductibles, prescription co-pays, contact lenses and even elective surgery.

“It’s a first of its kind; no one has ever offered a gift card like this,” said Kim Bellard of givewell.com.

The card is issued by Visa, so it can be used anywhere Visa is accepted for health-related services. They are not sold in stores and need to be purchased online or over the phone for up to $5,000.

“The peak audience we believe though is women 35-50, the famous sandwich generation,” Bellard said. “So, they’ve got parents that have health needs, and they’ve got a spouse that has health needs, and older children going off to college or living on their own that have health needs.”

How does the card impact medical deductions? The person who uses it gets any eligible write-off.

“Be sure to record how much you spent on that card because that is a legitimate medical expense that you can use when you fill out your taxes,” said Jack Gillis of the Consumer Federation of America.

And if you’re buying the card ask the typical gift card questions.

“Check out the fees, check out the expiration date, check out what happens if you lose the card,” Gillis said.

Smith is already considering picking up another one.

“We’re actually thinking about getting one for my mother who wants to join a gym and you can use it for a gym membership,” Smith said.

As with many gift cards, this one come with a fee — $5 plus whatever you load onto the card. 

More: ‘Tis The Season To Buy…Plastic - how gift cards are changing the way we exchange gifts.