Choosing A Non-insurance Healthcare Plan

[Kateri89]

Ok y'all I think it's time I just bit the bullet and chose to participate in one of those Christian healthcare expense sharing ministries.  This past year I opted out of health insurance for obvious reasons and decided that I would be defiant and refuse to pay the penalty for my decision no matter what the consequences.  However, it seems that refusing to pay the penalty is not an option because the IRS simply will deduct that amount from what money I would get back after filing my tax return.  So instead of not having any sort of healthcare plan and getting fined anyway, I think I'll opt for one of those non-insurance Christian healthcare plans and not have to pay penalties.

 

The 3 options that I'm aware of are:

1. Samaritan Ministries

2. Medi-share

3. Christian Healthcare Ministries

 

Every single one includes a statement of faith that I would have to sign and even though these statements are obviously from a very Protestant perspective, I can't see anything that specifically contradicts Catholicism.  The 2nd and 3rd listed require members to attend group worship regularly (which I would have to call and find out more about) but don't automatically mean I can't choose those plans.  The option which seems the most appealing is Samaritan Ministries which doesn't seem to require the regular worship meetings yet it has a higher monthly cost than the other two.

 

Obviously there are a lot of factors to consider when looking between the 3 of these so I wanted to know if anyone else is a member of one of these plans and has any advice.

 

[Tridentine4Life]

I've been looking into these myself. I don't know about the other ones, but Medi-share actually runs their adds on the Catholic radio network in my area and attending Catholic Mass on Sunday qualifies as meeting their group worship clause. One of the things you would have to do is get in writing and signed by the Priest at your parish that you attend Mass on Sunday regularly, which shouldn't be hard for a Catholic as we are obligated to do so. Their is also another option you didn't mention called Liberty Health Share. They are also Christian and have the same commitment to Christian values as the others, but welcome people of any faith (or lack there of) to join as long as you agree to a pledge that you are in line with their views against funding certain practices such as Abortion and Contraception. Attending worship groups is not required. This maybe a similar approach as Samaritan Ministries takes mentioned by you above. Liberty seems to have a really good system going for the execution of their sharing program. Like I said I'm still researching these options myself, but this may provide a little bit more useful info for you on your search. Good luck! God Bless.  

[Kateri89]

Thanks that actually does help a lot.  I seem to like Medi-share a little more than Samaritan Ministries but until you clarified about the regular worship guidelines I was hesitant.

[nikita92]

I just signed up for Obama care-Untited health care in Washington state. I never knew of the ones you profiled! Don't think they are offered here!

[Cherie]

My friend had a terrible experience with Medi-Share and warns everyone about it. Since then, I've heard from a lot of other unhappy customers of theirs. They sound terrible, but I don't use them, so I can't say from personal experience.

They're using Samaritan now and seem to like it. They definitely like it better than Medi-Share.

[superblue]

 I have heard of medi share too but am surprised to hear poor reviews about it, the others seem really odd to require to go to " group meetings ",

 

Seems like this is all a major pain in the rear to try an give Caesar what he wants while not giving up our own personal choices, and then trying to balance God in the factor by not falling into some provider with weird rules or that contributes to abortions.

 

Remember the good ole days, when this wasn't an issue and you didn't have to fret over paying a tax or penalty for not having a mandated health care provider that may or may not go against your religious beliefs.

 

I am more than content to not participate, considering I fall under every exemption out there from religious, to hardship to what ever else..... too bad I cant find the forms to fill out for em though, more of a shame that I don't care to look for em and fill em out I guess.

 

I mean I want to make poppa Obama happy, but dang it I just cant seem to care enough to do it.

 

 

 

[Mercy me]

I didn't realize that there were only 3.  I get it through my work but I like to know what is out there.  What I had heard is that some don't like you to drink either.   Are you finding that?

[ardillacid]

:coffee:

[Mike at Samaritan]

We’re glad to see the interest in health care sharing ministries. We’d like to clear up some confusion about Samaritan Ministries in particular, though:

 

Kateri 89 wrote: “The option which seems the most appealing is Samaritan Ministries which doesn't seem to require the regular worship meetings yet it has a higher monthly cost than the other two.”

 

Samaritan Ministries members agree to attend church at least three out of four weekends per month.

 

Nikita92 wrote: “I just signed up for Obama care-Untited health care in Washington state. I never knew of the ones you profiled! Don't think they are offered here! “

 

Samaritan and other health care sharing ministries operate freely in Washington state.

 

Mercy Me wrote: “I didn't realize that there were only 3.  I get it through my work but I like to know what is out there.  What I had heard is that some don't like you to drink either.   Are you finding that?”

 

Samaritan Ministries members agree either not to drink alcohol to the point of drunkenness or not to drink alcohol at all.

 

You can find out more about us by reading our Guidelines or viewing our website.

[Amppax]

http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/new-catholic-health-initiative-provides-alternative-to-obamacare-insurance/

[Ice_nine]

Hi Mike. What if I want to get really slammered, just once? Just a single Saturday evening that I can't remember at all. Can I still be a subscriber to said insurance company? This question is entirely hypothetical. I'm also asking for a friend who isn't me. Hypothetical.