AAA Members Save on Healthcare Expenses Using Club-Arranged Discounts

World's largest member discount program offers savings on everything from prescriptions and dietary needs to fitness equipment and eyeglasses

ORLANDO, Fla., March 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AAA is reminding members their Show Your Card & Save® program benefits can help ease financial pressures during difficult times with valuable discounts, including health care-related expenses. Members will find discounts on many products and services including, prescription medications, eyeglasses and fitness equipment, AAA said.

In 2008, out-of-pocket health care costs consumed approximately $3,000 of annual income per household, or about 6 percent of a typical household budget, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "For many Americans, particularly those currently unemployed, managing these costs has never been more important," said Gail Acebes, Director, AAA Partnership Programs.

AAA members can save an average of 24 percent* on prescriptions at more than 59,000 participating pharmacies nationwide, including CVS/Pharmacy, Walgreens, Target Pharmacy, Walmart Pharmacy, and Rite Aid. For people that do not have prescription coverage, or those taking lifestyle drugs frequently not covered by insurance, the discount can offer substantial savings. Prescriptions for family pets that can be filled at a traditional pharmacy are also included. For more information and to obtain a free Prescription Savings Card visit AAA.com/prescriptions or call 1-866-AAA-SAVE (1-866-222-7283)

Many people wait until they experience vision problems to schedule an eye exam, but they may be missing an opportunity for early diagnosis of conditions that can affect sight. AAA members save 30 percent* on eye exams and if necessary 30 percent* on a complete pair of eyeglasses at LensCrafters, Sears Optical, Pearle Vision, and Target Optical. There is also a 10%** discount on contacts.

AAA membership also provides a 15 percent discount on nutritional supplements from GNC online when orders are placed through www.AAA.com/shopnow. Books and DVDs on everything from dieting, cooking, fitness and general health are discounted 10 percent to members at barnesandnoble.com.

Membership will save shoppers 20 percent at Reebok and Rockport Outlet stores, which offer a full line of fitness gear. Fitness and outdoor equipment can be purchased at AAA.com/Target with a ten percent discount for AAA members.

"There is nothing more important than maintaining personal health and the health of family members, yet when times are tough these needs can sometimes be shortchanged," Acebes said. "This is one of the reasons AAA works with a range of partners to provide healthcare-related savings and benefits for our more than 51 million members."

AAA's Show Your Card & Save program is the largest member discount program in the world offering more than 164,000 locations for savings worldwide including 110,000 retail locations in North America and popular online retailers including Barnes & Noble and Sears.com. Through the program, AAA members save more than 2 billion dollars last year. Visit AAA.com/discounts for a complete list of retailers and offers.

As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 51 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.

AAA news releases, high resolution images, broadcast-quality video, fact sheets and podcasts are available on the AAA NewsRoom at AAA.com/news.

Stay connected with AAA on the web via:

Twitter.com/AAAnews

Twitter.com/AAADiscounts

YouTube.com/AAA

MySpace.com/AAAeveryday

AAA fan page on Facebook.com

*Operated by CVS Caremark. AAA prescription savings is not insurance and savings are only available at participating pharmacies.

**Valid AAA membership required. Discount off tag price. Valid on multiple pairs. Frame and lenses purchase with valid prescription required. Cannot be combined with any other offer, previous purchases, or vision and insurance plans. Some restrictions apply. Some brands excluded. See store for details. Void where prohibited. Valid at participating locations. Eye exams available by Independent Doctors of Optometry at or next to LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, Sears Optical and Target Optical. Doctors in some states are employed by the location. In California, optometrists are not employed by LensCrafters, Sears Optical and Target Optical, which does not provide eye exams. For LensCrafters, eye exams are available from optometrists employed by EYEXAM of California, a licensed vision health care service plan. For Sears Optical and Target Optical, eye exams are available from self-employed doctors who lease space inside the store.

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SOURCE AAA