Medical gift cards gain popularity

NEW YORK, Dec. 19 (UPI) -- The popularity of gift cards in the United States has spread into healthcare where they can be used for prescriptions, co-payments and even elective surgery.

The cards have become a popular gift this holiday season, especially for older people who already have plenty of scarves and sweaters.

Kim Bellard of givewell.com told CBS that the Visa-issued cards can be used anywhere and are being snapped up by buyers who have aging parents as well as children who are leaving the nest to fend for themselves.

"The peak audience we believe though is women 35-50," Bellard said. "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."

Consumer advocates cautioned shoppers to check up on any fees and tax implications before they make their purchase.