Christian Health Insurance Alternatives: Samaritan Ministries & Medi-Share

Well, if you are a Christian, you might have some good options. It turns out that there are some viable options for Christians who don't want to use traditional health insurance.

The main reason some people prefer health insurance alternatives is because they are often quite a bit cheaper than traditional insurance. Also, many of them don't cover medical expenses that result from an "unbiblical" lifestyle. This makes many people feel better about where their money is going every month.

I found out about Medi-Share a few months ago. It turns out to be a very large program with over 70,000 members across the U.S.  They emphatically say that they are NOT an insurance company, but rather Christian Healthcare Sharing.

But as far as the consumer is concerned, they do function very similar to health insurance. You pay monthly premiums, have a deductible, and you even have a healthcare card to give to your doctor when they ask for your insurance info.

The Medi-Share website says...

Medi-Share supports, funds, and shares biblical lifestyles. That makes for a healthier group of people to care for, and equates to a lower cost for our members.

Medi-Share actively negotiates discounts with providers to reduce members’ medical bills. Over $75 million in discounts have been realized since 1993.

Medi-Share offers proactive and preventive care programs which are designed to keep members healthy and help keep their healthcare costs even lower.

Medi-Share members report paying about 50% less than with traditional insurance providers. It is a very flexible program that allows you to choose your own doctors and hospitals.

Similar to Medi-Share, Samaritan's Ministries functions as a Christian Health Insurance Alternative by having it's members share each other's medical expenses.

How it works...

1. Medical Need Begins - A Samaritan Ministries member has a need and calls the Samaritan Ministries office.
2. Packet is sent and prayer begins - A Samaritan Ministries staff member sends a Need Processing packet to the member, who is added to the prayer list so fellow members can begin praying.
3. The need is presented - He or she completes the form in the packet and returns it, with his medical bills, to the office.
4. The need is processed - The Samaritan Ministries staff verifies the need information and prepares it for publication in the monthly newsletter.
5. The need is published - The need is assigned to specific members, who are informed through the monthly newsletter.
6. Members respond - The members send their shares along with notes of encouragement to the need assigned to them. They also pray for the member with the need.
7. The burden is lifted - The member receives letters with financial gifts, notes of encouragement, and confirmation of prayers.
8. God is glorified -The member is encouraged and praises God for His provision.

Again, they also claim that they are not Christian Health Insurance, but an organization dedicated to helping Christians share each other's burdens.

They explain...

Insurance is usually thought of as a contract whereby one party agrees to be legally responsible for and accept another party’s risk of loss, in exchange for a payment called a premium. Samaritan Ministries is an arrangement whereby Christians share to assist one another with medical expenses through voluntary giving...

Unlike insurance, the focus of Samaritan Ministries’ need sharing is not on what you can receive financially if you have a need, but on how you can help others with the needs they have right now (Acts 20:35).