There has been a dramatic increase in the number of believers running to Christian healthcare ministries in recent years. Would you like to know if there are any alternatives to traditional health insurance that you can take advantage of? In today’s world, we have so many insurance options available to us including BlueCross BlueShield, UnitedHealthCare, Aetna, Humana, WellCare, Affordable Care Act, etc., just to name a few.
If you are looking for an alternative to traditional health insurance or the Affordable Care Act, then health sharing ministries provide a viable option for those who are looking for one. Members of this club are able to foster a sense of community and family amongst each other by helping each other during times of need. We are happy to assist you with your Christian medical insurance needs.
How Does Christian Healthcare Work?
There is a very simple way in which it works. The way healthcare companies work differs slightly from one another. In most cases, members will have a monthly share amount assigned to them. You will be matched every month by a medical bill for one of your fellow members of the sharing ministry. This will increase your share amount by a certain amount. There are some companies that allow you to interact with other members of the company.
Sharing ministries don’t cover:
- Taking abortions
- Lifestyle issues caused by unbiblical living.
- Marijuana
- A pregnancy that occurs outside of marriage
- Changes in sexuality
Comparison of the Best Christian Healthcare Sharing
John Reinhold, the founder of Christian Care Ministry, founded the organization in 1993. Medi-Share is a ministry that CCM promotes, which is their sharing ministry. In my opinion, this is the best Christian healthcare ministry out of all the ones I have come across. As a Christian organization, Medi-Share holds to a statement of faith based on the Bible. It is their belief that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ, that Christ is God in flesh, and that Christ has been crucified, buried, and resurrected for our redemption.
Cost
As a result of Medi-Share, you will be able to afford health insurance more affordably. It is possible to receive a monthly rate for as low as $30 if you are able to qualify. In my opinion, there is no other sharing ministry that comes close to $30 a month. A Medi-Share member reports on average that they are able to save $380 a month because they subscribe to Medi-Share. There are a number of factors that influence the cost of Medi-Share for each person, including their age, household members, and the health plan they use. The annual household portion of your health plan (AHP) could be regarded as a deductible in your health plan.
It is important to understand that your AHP is the amount that you are responsible for before other members are able to share your medical bills with you. It is possible to choose from several different plans when it comes to AHP. The amount that you can choose from is $500, $1,250, $2,500, $3,750, $5,000, $7,500, or $10,000 per year. You can choose the one that suits your budget the best. It is important to note that the higher your AHP is, the more money you’ll be able to save on your share amount, which is similar to paying a monthly premium on your policy.
Doctor visits
Using Medi-Share as a part of your health care plan can have a number of advantages, including Telehealth. It is with Medi-Share that you will be given access to free virtual doctors. As a result, you do not need to wait for a long amount of time to receive treatment if you have a flu, cold, headache, insect bite, etc. It will be possible for you to receive treatment at home and receive a prescription from the comfort of your own home at any time. There is another factor that contributes to the increased savings that Medi-Share offers. In case you need to visit the hospital or a physician’s office for more serious medical issues, then you will have to pay a $35 provider fee for each visit. A $200 emergency room fee is going to be charged to you if you are required to visit the ER for some reason.
In network providers
Members of Medi-Share have access to millions of PPO providers at discounted fees for the convenience of their members. It doesn’t matter where you live, either Florida, Maryland, Kansas, Texas, California, etc., you will be able to find a provider in your area no matter where you live.
Age limit
All ages are welcome to participate in Medi-Share. Applicants 65 years or older, however, must join the Senior Assist program if they wish to apply. Medicare Part A and Part B coverage are required for seniors who are enrolled in this program.
Discounts
With Medi-Share’s Health Incentive program, Medi-Share members will be able to receive a 20% discount if they live a healthy lifestyle and are enrolled in the program. When you become a member, you will have the ability to save up to 60% off your vision and dental costs. Furthermore, you’ll also be able to save on LASIK, hearing aids, and prescription medications through this program.
How it works?
It is very easy to use Medi-Share. The only thing you need to do when a medical emergency arises is to select a network provider and show your ID card to them in order to receive emergency treatment. You will receive a bill from your provider which will be forwarded to Medi-Share who will look for discounts. If you have the same bill as someone else, you will be matched with them and then your bills will be allowed to be shared with them. You will be able to thank, encourage, pray for, and maintain friendship with the members who shared your medical bill with you after it has been shared with you.
Pros
- A cheap monthly share amount is available
- Get to know other believers, pray, and encourage them.
- BBB rating of “A+”
- Discounts on multiple items
- Compliant with the ACA
- There are millions of providers throughout the nation who offer this service.
- The amount of money that can be shared cannot be capped.
Is Medi-Share worth it? Medi-Share is great for many reasons. Visit website to learn more.
Dale Bellis, the founder of Liberty HealthShare, founded the company in 2012. As you can see, Liberty HealthShare is a company that can help you to save money on healthcare, however, I have a problem with Liberty HealthShare because they do not have a biblical statement of faith. Upon review, there is no doubt that Liberty HealthShare compromises when compared to Medi-Share. There are some companies that you cannot recommend if you don’t hold onto the basics that I hold dear.
I found that one of the troubling things about their Statement of Shared Beliefs was the following:
We believe that every individual has a fundamental right to worship the God of the Bible according to his or her own beliefs and practices.”
There is no requirement for you to be a Christian to use Liberty HealthShare, unlike other Christian healthcare options. Liberty HealthShare is available to anyone no matter what their level of religious belief may be. This includes atheists, Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, Catholics, etc.
Cost
There is no doubt that Medi-Share is more affordable, but Liberty does offer good prices as well. A Liberty rate of around $100 will be the cheapest rate you can get from Liberty. Liberty offers you the choice of three different plans from which you can choose. There are three types of Liberty Complete: Liberty Plus, Liberty Share, and Liberty Complete.
An amount of $249 is suggested for singles under 30 years of age on a monthly basis. A suggested monthly share amount of $299 is recommended for those between the ages of 30 and 64 who are interested in this plan. In the event that you are 65 years old or older, you are recommended to share $312 with your friends and family.
Based on the age of the couple, a recommended monthly share amount can range from $349 to $431, depending on the situation.
Families are encouraged to pay a monthly share amount of $479 to $579 depending on the age of the child.
As part of Liberty HealthShare, there is a (AUA) Annual Unshared Amount. This is similar to what is included in a deductible plan. For a family of four, this amount can range from $1000 to $2250.
Doctor visits
There will be a $45 fee for primary care and a $100 fee for specialty care for Liberty HealthShare members.
In network providers
You have the option of choosing from thousands of in-network providers with Liberty HealthShare. With Liberty, you are restricted to sharing a certain amount of information with your friends and family. There is a $1,000,000 cap per incident for Liberty Complete. It is important to note that Liberty Plus and Share have a $125,000 limit per incident.
How it works?
The amount you share each month is placed in a Sharebox until it is matched with the amount needed to pay someone else’s medical bills. Upon visiting your doctor, you will need to show your member ID, and your doctor will send your bills to Liberty as soon as they have received them. In order to determine your eligibility for discounts and sharing, your bill will be processed. Thereafter, members will be able to share with each other. The explanation of sharing will be sent to you and your doctor as a confirmation of payment.
Pros
- With Liberty Share and Complete, you get medical and pharmacy discounts.
- Affordability
- Unshared Annual Amount
3. Samaritan Ministries
In 1994, Ted Pittenger founded Samaritan as a non-profit organization. It is possible to draw many parallels between Samaritan Ministries and Medi-Share. There is a biblical state of faith at Samaritan, and Samaritan is an affordable insurance option.
Cost
There are different rates for different types of Samaritan plans, depending on your relationship status, how many people in your household are under your care, and your actual age. The cost of Samaritan Basic is between $100 and $400 per month. A monthly subscription to Samaritan Classic costs between $160 and $495.
It is important to note that with Samaritan you have a deductible amount, called an Initial Unshareable. With Samaritan Basic, the Initial Unshareable is $1500. A $300 Initial Unshareable amount is included in the Classic plan.
Doctor visits
A significant difference between Samaritan and other healthcare providers on this list is the fact that Samaritan is a self-pay facility. The Samaritan Ministries will only intervene if there are serious and expensive problems. You will have to pay for your medical bills out of your own pocket if you are dealing with a minor situation.
In doctor network
There is a more self-pay approach to Samaritan Ministries than any other plans on the market, so you will be able to go to any doctor of your choice without worrying about being penalized for seeing a doctor that is not part of their network.
Discounts
Members of Samaritan Ministries will be able to take advantage of discounts on labs and pharmacies. EnvisionRX will be automatically enrolled in the accounts of members.
How it works?
In the beginning, there is a medical need, Samaritan Ministries publishes the need, and shares are received to meet the need.
Pros
- Rates you can afford
- No penalty for switching providers.
- Unshareable Initial Cost at an Affordable Price
Founded in 2000, Altrua HealthShare is a non-profit health insurance company. It is true that Altrua is not as popular as the other options on this list, however, they do offer biblical healthcare as well. Occasionally, healthcare ministries will require your pastor to sign an acknowledgement that demonstrates that you are a Christian and that you regularly attend church services. If you use Altrua, you don’t have to worry about your pastor verifying on your behalf. Altrua is a faith-based organization, but there are no doctrinal requirements for participating in their program.
Cost
Contributions range from $269.00 to $874.00 per month. Your contribution request for each month is based on the plan you have, your age, and the number of members of your household.
Doctor visits
During the course of the year, members are limited to six doctor visits. All subsequent office visits will be your responsibility once you have made 6 visits.
As part of the Gold and Silver plans, office visits will cost $35 per visit.
In doctor network
It is important to note that Altrua HealthShare is a part of MultiPlan. MultiPlan will provide you with access to millions of providers who are available to you through the network.
Discounts
Altrua HealthShare is partnered with Careington International Corporation in order to offer a variety of discount options for dental, vision, and hearing care, prescription medication, and more. As far as the Healthy Living plan is concerned, it costs $14 a month. There is going to be a monthly fee of $18 for a member and family.
How it works?
Members of Altrua will have their medical needs taken care of in accordance with their guidelines according to their medical needs. Each member is required to submit a monthly amount in order to be part of the program. As soon as you need medical attention, you should choose a provider and show them your ID card so they can submit your medical needs to the hospital.
Pros
- Options for discounting
- Health care network Altrua is part of.
- It is a simple process to follow
5. CHM
Christian Healthcare Ministries was founded in 1981 and has been serving the community ever since. The CHM’s website says that to join the ministry, you must be a Christian, but it is also possible for non-Christians to join the ministry. There is no doctrinal statement of faith that is offered by CHM.
Cost
You are able to choose from three different programs offered by CHM, namely Bronze, Silver, and Gold. For medical needs which exceed $125,000, the organization also offers a program called Brother’s Keeper.
There is a wide range of prices that can be found from $90 to $450 per month. You will be required to pay anywhere from $500 up to $5,000 for your personal responsibility limit or deductible. It is important to note that one of the main differences between CHM and the other healthcare options on this list is that CHM does not negotiate your medical bills, so you may find yourself paying more than you should. Members have to negotiate the bill and try to get discounts, which can be a hassle, as they will have to deal directly with the billing company.
Pros
- An affordable option
- Maternity benefits
- Choice of healthcare providers
- Charity Accredited
Which Sharing Ministry Is Bestfor You?
It is clear from a comparison of the most popular options that Medi-Share comes out on top. Medi-Share is one of my favorite companies because they have a strong statement of faith that is based on the Bible. As a result, some companies like Liberty HealthShare are not able to meet this requirement. There are no limits to what Medi-Share can do for you. Medi-Share is one of the best ways to save money on your health insurance and you will have the opportunity to develop relationships with other members unlike any other company. As a result of great reviews and multiple advantages, I strongly recommend that you take advantage of these rates today and see how much you can save.