A rise in both the number of uninsured and out-of-pocket medical expenses has spurred several companies to form discount clubs that offer savings on prescription drugs, doctor visits and other medical services.

The buying clubs, set up by companies ranging from Internet startups to Readers Digest, advertise savings of between 10 percent and 70 percent off their medical bills at participating providers. More doctors and dentists are accepting the discount cards as a way to attract patients, who pay on the spot. These doctors are willing to give discounts in exchange for prompt payment, which can be a problem with managed care coverage. The clubs, which usually require an annual membership fee similar to a Sam's Club or Costco, are aimed at the 44 million uninsured Americans and consumers whose health insurance lacks prescription drug and dental coverage, and other benefits. The fees vary from $10 to $50 a year per person. While consumer advocates say the discounts are better than nothing, they caution that this is not insurance coverage, does nothing to protect against the cost of catastrophic illness, and does little to reduce the national problem of rising health costs and growing number of uninsured.