Posted on 01/18/2018 9:05:21 AM PST by tbw2
Husband just lost job. We're looking at health sharing ministries as a lower cost way of saving on premiums compared to COBRA. What has been your experience with health sharing ministries? Which one would you recommend? Which ones don't make processing medical bills/claims a hassle? What should I look out for?
I am 51, type 1 diabetic, I have Liberty Health Share, $195 a month, broke my are during the summer, paid all of 30K operation.
As such, they are under no obligation to pay (share) claims (expenses.) I was a member of Christian Healthcare Ministries for a short time in 2014, but I never filed a claim. But I've heard very good things about them.
We have Medishare. Husbands about to have hip replacement and it seems to be in network. Very good customer service so far.
“Understand that these ARE NOT INSURANCE. “
Yet somehow some of them are approved under Obamacare as having the necessary coverage.
I never did understand that.
Bkmrk.
They are very happy with it. Current issues arent grandfathered in on these 0care alternates, which is precisely how insurance was meant to be. You cant buy car insurance after you wreck your car and have it covered, either.
This is only because there are no reserves from which to pay.
Literally, all payments come from premiums policy holders pay directly to the person needing the help.
We have MediShare. We have been using it for 4 years. It works GREAT! Family with 5 kids.
The only problem is sometimes you say “medishare” and the receptionist hears “medicare”. Just make sure they know what you are actually saying.
Don’t hesitate. I wish I would have done it sooner.
The Obamacare bill was NOT popular, despite the media spin, and only passed by the skin of their teeth. They HAD to make some concessions on religious groups to get the marginal vote needed to pass it. Faith-based health care sharing ministries were a bargaining chip in that legislation.
Health Care Sharing Ministries like Medi-Share are not approved under Obamacare as having the necessary coverage.
But on form 8965 (Health Coverage Exemptions), you can claim tax return exemption code D for the months you were a member of a health care sharing ministry.
https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i8965
pinging
Buyer beware. These "sharing" plans can be blessings from God, but do your homework about acceptance of the plans reimbursement rate not only from the hospital, but from all associated physicians that may be involved in the delivery of health care. This holds true for any insurance plan.
I had Christian Healthcare Ministries. I had a cataract removed and they covered all they said they would. I was very happy with them. The only reason I quit was because I became eligible for Medicare.
CHM members here.
Excellent!
They’re operating under the same exemption as the Amish and other religious groups that eschew insurance.
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