Posted on 01/28/2020 8:51:44 AM PST by SeekAndFind
Perhaps no other topic tends to be more polarizing or politicized in America than healthcare. Here at Medi-Share, one of the nation’s leading nonprofit Health Care Sharing Ministries, we often find ourselves in the middle of conversations or news articles regarding our unique approach to meeting the healthcare needs of Christians.
One such article was recently published in The New York Times under the headline, “It Looks Like Health Insurance, but It’s Not. ‘Just Trust God,’ Buyers Are Told.” We appreciate the interest in the unique and growing alternative of health care sharing, but we believe the article left readers with misleading conclusions. Though other ministries will want to speak for themselves, I’d at least like to set the record straight regarding Medi-Share.
Significant Facts Omitted or Misrepresented
The article described an unfavorable experience of a handful of members across several ministries and then implied that these experiences are the norm for members of health care sharing ministries. I don’t believe that’s true, and I can affirm that’s definitely not true at Medi-Share. We have a 26-year history of faithfully sharing among our members, an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and consistently high member satisfaction scores (which we monitor continuously). That’s real proof that the great majority of our members like the experience and value they and their families receive by participating in Medi-Share. Since 1993, every eligible bill submitted through the Medi-Share program has been paid by our membership. During 2019, more than $50 million in medical bills were shared each month by the faithful members of Medi-Share.
I was particularly concerned that the one example The New York Times article cited about a Medi-Share member’s experience left out a key part of the story. Yes, it’s true that our member had a medical event that was initially determined not eligible for sharing under the program guidelines. But what the article failed to mention was that the member followed our member appeal process and the initial decision was reversed by our community. Ultimately, this member’s bills were taken care of — that too was omitted. We’ve since learned that an example cited about a Samaritan Ministries’ member was also inaccurately reported.
I wish the article had sought and offered examples I hear every day from members. They are compelling and would more accurately depict the experiences most typical of our community. Let me offer two.
Consider Cathrine, a Medi-Share member in California who just this past year was facing the difficult challenge of fighting cancer. Medi-Share members shared all of her medical bills, and also supported her in prayer, enabling her to focus on her health and recovery instead of having to worry about tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills. In Cathrine’s words, “With Medi-Share, you feel like you have an ally, and you just don’t get that in other places.”
Even more recently I heard from a five-year member of Medi-Share named Julie who described a terrifying series of cardiovascular symptoms experienced by her husband, resulting in a number of expensive tests and a hospitalization. Thankfully, he was eventually sent home with a clean bill of health, but that wasn’t the only bill. Julie told us, “We owed over $100k and the only way we wouldn't have to declare bankruptcy was if Medi-Share members came through for us. And came through they did! In our time of need, Medi-Share staff was there to pray with us, guide us through the [sharing] procedures, and the members shared in all of our needs! Thank you so much Medi-Share for doing what you promised to do!”
Correct, It’s Not Insurance. Medi-Share Is A Health Care Sharing Ministry
Yes, health care sharing ministries like Medi-Share are not insurance. The article stated that correctly. Our members don’t rely on legal obligations but on the faithfulness of God providing through other members of our community. To a secular audience that might sound risky. But for our Christian audience, the concept of a community of believers coming together to support each other, believing that God will provide…that is totally sensible and even inspirational. It’s how we do life.
I believe we can all agree that there are some fundamental challenges with our healthcare system in America, but the solution is to have more options for your healthcare, not fewer. Like other health care sharing ministries, Medi-Share is not for everyone. But for our 400,000+ members, they are loud and clear that this program provides them a great experience with real value alongside the intangible blessing of community.
Scott Reddig is the chief executive officer of Christian Care Ministry, a Florida-based non-profit ministry which operates Medi-Share, one of the leading health care sharing ministries in the United States. Since the program’s inception in 1993, Medi-Share members have shared more than $3 billion in medical bills, and saved an additional $1.6 billion in medical costs from access to an extensive network of 900,000+ health care providers. Medi-Share has more than 400,000 members in all 50 states. More than just an affordable alternative to health insurance; Medi-Share is a community of Christians who share one another’s healthcare burdens and encourage one another through community and prayer. For more information, visit Medishare.com.
I heard this company advertising a ton on Sirius Satellite Radio. Have no first hand experience myself but my caution light always goes on when I hear some outfit selling a good or service under the guise of a ministry. They might be perfectly legitimate, but I don’t think I’ll be giving up my employer plan to find out....
RE: I don’t think I’ll be giving up my employer plan to find out....
Don’t replace your employer plan for a health sharing ministry. This is only for those who DO NOT HAVE HEALTHCARE from an employer.
No financials backed up by any state or federal protection laws is enough of a red flag.
They can drop your coverage without any warning leaving you with unpaid bills.
All states have a guarantee fund so that if a insurance co goes bankrupt the fund will pay off your claims, annuity or life insurance benefit.
When Hubs lis2t his job and insurance we checked them out. The claim that you save lots of money per month is true enough, or can be, but each member pays an ANNUAL member fee of $10,000 and more.
These days, thanks to 0 care, many people pay well into five figures for crappy insurance.
Our family of 6 has been with them for 18 years, thru several surgeries, numerous other medical cost of just living. Saved thousands and thousands of bucks. Zero problems dealing with medical providers. Same for other extended family and friends.
The description in article is accurate in our experience, it really is a community of 400,000 caring Christian people.
It works and is less expensive because its a communty of people following the Christian faith. As a whole they are much healthier than a random sample of the population.
May not be for everyone. But they are who they say they are.
I can personally vouch that this works.
I had to have cataract surgery in 2018, members all reimbursed me.
This is the way to go if you attend Church weekly and are self employed.
Mine is called Samaritan Ministries.
What I don’t like is even the revised tax code doesn’t allow us to deduct what we pay for others healthcare, aka the same thing the rest of the world calls premiums.
but each member pays an ANNUAL member fee of $10,000 and more.
We`ve been members for 18 years, I’m 61 my wife 59, we share
$717/month for total of $8604/year with a total combined deductible of 4250. Raised 4 kids using them, our experience better than dealing withinsurance company.
What I don’t like is even the revised tax code doesn’t allow us to deduct what we pay for others healthcare, aka the same thing the rest of the world calls premiums.
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That’s true, but you can only deduct if the healthcare cost is more than 7 percent of income, I believe. Plus the cost savings way outlway the lost deduction. We’re with Christian Care Medishae-Share
"They can drop your coverage without any warning leaving you with unpaid bills."
Do you have any examples of "dropped coverage"??
We've had all of our needs met at 20% of the cost of the best standard insurance policy.
The Doc's love it because their staff doesn't have to waste time processing claims.
The cash discounts we get for tests and x-rays are amazing!
Where do you get that notion??
“They can drop your coverage without any warning leaving you with unpaid bills.”
You have zero state safeguards. If those Medi-share companies start losing money they can pull out of your state and there is nothing you can do.
Read the fine print. They say it is possible they may not have the money to pay your claims. It’s not guaranteed.
Health Insurance companies have to by law have safeguards in place and have so much in reserves to pay claims.
“The cash discounts we get for tests and x-rays are amazing! “
I bet you are paying more than what a negotiated rate is with say Blue Cross or United Health Care
Hmmm... I could be wrong , it may have been another Christian medical cost sharing plan. You may be grandfathered into a different plan??
Just looking the website now there’s this:
“Instead of an insurance deductible, each member’s household selects an Annual Household Portion (AHP) that they must pay during a 12 month period based on the date their membership began. After the AHP has been paid, provider bills for services rendered during that 12 month period may be eligible for sharing. For additional information, see Share Amount Details below.”
Perhaps, considering it’s January now, and when I looked at it 2 years ago it was July - the 6 month payment schedule was accelerated to meet the annual cost in a shorter time?
But in any case, running the numbers listed now, it is between $13 - 14,000 a year for fees.
We have been with Christian Care Medishare for TWENTY-ONE YEARS. It is less expensive than health insurance. There is a code of conduct (so to speak) and other requirements and certain limitations.
I can understand the reasons why some would be opposed to it. It is not perfect. It is very good alternative for a lot of people. They are more responsive and more helpful than your big insurance companies.
No one forces you to join Medishare (or the similar sharing ministries).
BTW - if the NYT said it was a good thing wouldn’t you be suspicious?
We did end up buying the second cheapest plan on the NY Marketplace (what utter crap) and it cost us $800 a month with a $7,000 deductible.
Any hospital or other medical bill would cost us 50% until the out of pocket of ... $14,000+?? was met.
And we had no income and were not eligible for any financial assistance.
It was less expensive than the Christian medical sharing program we looked at.
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HA!.....$26 for a chest x-ray!
Let me know the first time that happens.
Our COBRA for so-so company insurance is about $1,600 a month...just for comparison sake.
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