Posted on 10/10/2013 10:00:35 PM PDT by Springfield Reformer
It's gotten little attention, but it's true: The individual mandate in the Affordable Care Act requires all Americans to have health insurance or face penalties, but members of medical-sharing ministries are exempt from the individual mandate that will be enforced beginning in 2015.
It's there because of the work of then-Congressmen Tom Perriello, a Virginia Democrat and Sens. Max Baucus, a Montana Democrat, and Republican Charles Grassley of Iowa, who fought to add the exemption to the law. It's the same principle that allowed for the Amish to be exempted from the individual mandate—with the crucial difference that it's a lot more practical to join Medi-Share than it is to become Amish.
Founded in 1993, Medi-Share historically grew at roughly 10 percent a year. Since the Obamacare passed in the 2010, growth has ticked up to 15 percent as some Americans look to end-run the mandate. About 150,000 people are members of medical-sharing ministries, and 60,000 of them belong to Medi-Share, according to Medi-Share President and CEO Tony Meggs.
The exemption requires qualifying health-sharing ministries to have been in operation before Dec. 31,1999, which gives something of a monopoly to Medi-Share and the two other qualifying organizations, Samaritan Ministries and Christian Healthcare Ministries.
Here's how it works: To join Medi-Share, members must pledge their Christian faith and promise not to drink, take drugs or have sex outside of a traditional marriage. A reference from a minister may also be requested. Certain pre-existing conditions render applicants ineligible, while chronic issues such as obesity sometimes lead to acceptance into the program contingent on undergoing wellness counseling.
The coverage doesn't include products of "un-Biblical lifestyles," such as contraception or substance rehab, or some preventive medicine, including colonoscopies and annual mammograms. Those policies lead to lower costs for all members, Meggs said.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnbc.com ...
Apparently that whole “equal protection under the law” stuff is obsolete?
Ping for later
Opt out bump
This makes sense from an actuarial stand point (yes, I am an actuary) and the success of these plans bears that out. There are many health problems caused from life style choices and these plans lower their costs through their underwriting.
Not a new concept.
You stumbled into a bigger question that may take 2 generations to rap our hands around.
And to quote Ronaldus Maximus, "There are no easy answers' but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right."
And where I am going with this is, are we suffering a prolonged hangover from the Kaiser Steel healthcare benefit because of wage and price controls of WWII experiment, and that Insurance should only be for the high end catastrophic events?
At this point we are so used to the Kaiser Model, that it would be a culture change and require a great deal of teaching and changing of hearts that even healthcare may not be a "free benefit" if you will....
Bump
For me equal protection under the law should have many far-reaching effects in a truly free country. Kinda like truth in advertising was supposed to have too.
For instance, I’d love to hear how much folks spend on these types of products. An ad on Moody Radio this morning for medi-share quoted one happy customer saying his family plan was under $300.00/mo. That leaves us all guessing at the costs - shouldn’t every insurance policy quote a monthly price per person?
Really aren’t over 80% of the traditional family insurance policies under $300/mo?
Also are all of these 3 insurance company/options offered working a non-profits?
last line correction - working as non-profit corporations?
Thanks for posting!
Thinking this over, people may flock to Christian ministries because of this monstrosity! Who would have thought?
The Lord certainly does work in mysterious ways.
Family plan at the local school district is slightly less than $600.00 per month according to a friend who works there.
Hubby and I pay almost $300.00 each for our Medicare and Supplement.
I’ve had that exact thought. Man makes his big plans, but God does what He wants and no one can stop Him.
You have both. I have been paving the way to use them. I understand that I can opt out of Medicare with them. That is a draw for me.
Are you a member? What benefits in addition to Samaratin accrue?
So are most catastrophic plans over $100/person/month?
From reading the linked articles medi-share averages $170 for individuals and $270/family while the Samaritan option was quoted about $140/person/month.
Since Obiecare will cause all medical costs to rise exhorbitantly I think many are already priced out of the market or soon will be.
Good grief yes.
Family catastrophic plans with 15K deductibles are running about 800 to 1400 per month
at least in my area. The state here requires all plans to provide services whether needed or not that raise the plan costs substantially.
Thanks for your patience with my questions - somewhat akward and ignorant because I’ve been off the insurance grid since the mid-90’s. I try to view all my monthly payments as investments and ROI for insurance policies was the first to get axed - truthfully I’ve never really cared for any type of insurance anyways - seems to be too much like trying to play God instead of trusting Him and living responsibly.
I know I know - there are lots of folks who say lack of insurance is irresponsible - sorry but I want my investments to be Heavenly rather than Earthly minded.
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