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Opting-out of Obamacare through medical-sharing ministries
CNBC ^ | 8 Aug 2013 | Zac Bissonnette

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 ...


TOPICS: Government; Health/Medicine; Politics; Religion
KEYWORDS: christian; healthcare; medishare; obamacare; sharing
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To: Springfield Reformer

Apparently that whole “equal protection under the law” stuff is obsolete?


21 posted on 10/11/2013 12:27:13 AM PDT by JennysCool (My hypocrisy goes only so far)
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To: Springfield Reformer

Ping for later


22 posted on 10/11/2013 2:22:10 AM PDT by NewHampshireDuo
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To: Springfield Reformer

Opt out bump


23 posted on 10/11/2013 2:24:56 AM PDT by newfreep (Breitbart sent me...)
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To: Springfield Reformer

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.


24 posted on 10/11/2013 3:35:14 AM PDT by Pete
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To: Secret Agent Man
it appears that common preventative measures/tests fall onto your own taking care of your self. they cover big stuff that could bankrupt you.

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....

25 posted on 10/11/2013 3:38:42 AM PDT by taildragger (The E-GOP won't know what hit them, The Party of Reagan is almost here, hang tight folks....)
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To: Springfield Reformer

Bump


26 posted on 10/11/2013 3:42:52 AM PDT by WashingtonSource
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To: JennysCool; Springfield Reformer; All

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?


27 posted on 10/11/2013 5:41:21 AM PDT by BrandtMichaels
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To: BrandtMichaels

last line correction - working as non-profit corporations?


28 posted on 10/11/2013 5:43:41 AM PDT by BrandtMichaels
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To: Springfield Reformer

Thanks for posting!


29 posted on 10/11/2013 5:46:14 AM PDT by Red in Blue PA (When Injustice becomes Law, Resistance Becomes Duty.-Thomas Jefferson)
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To: Springfield Reformer

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.


30 posted on 10/11/2013 5:47:27 AM PDT by Red in Blue PA (When Injustice becomes Law, Resistance Becomes Duty.-Thomas Jefferson)
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To: BrandtMichaels

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.


31 posted on 10/11/2013 5:49:40 AM PDT by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Let Freedom Ring.)
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To: BrandtMichaels
They are not insurance and are clear to tell you that. They are all non-profits. There is an additional option called The Health Co-Op which adds a nice set of benefits to Samaritan Ministries, and a "concierge" approach to what is already a great experience. The Health Co-Op is a registered cooperative.
32 posted on 10/11/2013 5:54:11 AM PDT by comps4spice (Liberalism is a threat to life and liberty in the USA.)
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To: Red in Blue PA

I’ve had that exact thought. Man makes his big plans, but God does what He wants and no one can stop Him.


33 posted on 10/11/2013 5:59:16 AM PDT by Springfield Reformer (Winston Churchill: No Peace Till Victory!)
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To: flowergirl

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.


34 posted on 10/11/2013 6:02:28 AM PDT by Chickensoup (we didn't love freedom enough... Solzhenitsyn.)
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To: funfan
I have been researching them and they are essentially catastrophic plans
35 posted on 10/11/2013 6:03:12 AM PDT by Chickensoup (we didn't love freedom enough... Solzhenitsyn.)
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To: comps4spice

Are you a member? What benefits in addition to Samaratin accrue?


36 posted on 10/11/2013 6:13:25 AM PDT by Chickensoup (we didn't love freedom enough... Solzhenitsyn.)
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To: Chickensoup

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.


37 posted on 10/11/2013 6:18:48 AM PDT by BrandtMichaels
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To: BrandtMichaels
So are most catastrophic plans over $100/person/month?

Good grief yes.

Family catastrophic plans with 15K deductibles are running about 800 to 1400 per month

38 posted on 10/11/2013 6:21:25 AM PDT by Chickensoup (we didn't love freedom enough... Solzhenitsyn.)
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To: BrandtMichaels

at least in my area. The state here requires all plans to provide services whether needed or not that raise the plan costs substantially.


39 posted on 10/11/2013 6:22:46 AM PDT by Chickensoup (we didn't love freedom enough... Solzhenitsyn.)
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To: Chickensoup

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.


40 posted on 10/11/2013 6:38:22 AM PDT by BrandtMichaels
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