Health Care Sharing Offers Christians Alternative to Health Insurance

With increasing health care costs and new rules due to health care reform, some people are looking for affordable health insurance plans that best suit their needs. Increasing in popularity for Christians are programs which involve health care sharing which offers an alternative to health insurance.

What is health care sharing and is it an effective alternative to health insurance?

Health care sharing simply means that a certain group of members share in one another's health care costs. Christians especially are drawn to these types of co-ops because they believe it is biblical. According to Galatians 6:2, part of obeying the law of Christ is to bear one another's burdens.

Health care sharing offers Christians a way to carry one another's burdens by paying for one another's medical bills while offering prayers and encouragement as well. Philippians 4:19 declares that God will meet all of our needs. Those who belong to Christian health care sharing co-ops believe by faith that their medical bills will get paid.

How do health care sharing plans work?

Like health insurance, potential members must go through an application process. Applicants can be denied because of certain medical conditions, such as congenital defects, obesity and other pre-existing conditions.

Applicants must agree to live a life that is based on biblical principles and must agree to not smoke, drink alcohol or do drugs. Members must also attend church regularly and part of the application process could require information from the member's pastor.

For those who qualify, belonging to such a co-op can be a saving grace. According to an article on msn.com, Mary Suitter, a 57-year-old mother of four, received over $35,000 from other members to help cover her medical expenses due to a recurrence of skin cancer.

Besides getting medical bills paid, Christian health care sharing co-ops can also set their own guidelines as to what medical expenses are paid for and which or not. For example, abortions are not paid for by co-op members.

Instead of paying premiums, each qualifying member is given a monthly fee. The fees depend on the member's age, number of family members and how much members believe they can afford to pay. Depending on which health care sharing plan the member belongs to, member's fees are either sent directly to another participating member who has a medical bill to pay or to a central office. These monthly fees can range anywhere from $50 to $500 per member. Members must also pay a yearly administrative fee.

While health care sharing plans can serve as an alternative to health insurance for those who are self-employed, those who cannot afford traditional health insurance or for those who are members because of their Christian beliefs, these plans do not work like typical health insurance plans.

There are no co-payments, deductibles or co-insurance. Instead, members must pay the required up front fee for medical services. Also, health care sharing plans cannot guarantee that medical bills will be paid.

Currently there are three major Christian health care sharing non profit organizations:

• Samaritan Ministries
• Medi-Share
• Christian Healthcare Ministries
  

For Christians seeking an alternative to traditional health insurance, especially those who have no insurance due to the high cost of premiums, belonging to a health care sharing co-op just might be the answer.