Alyssa Lane
Medi-Share is a health care sharing program facilitated by Christian Care Ministry (CCM), a non-profit organization. Members voluntarily share the cost of each other's medical bills based on member-voted guidelines. It is not insurance and is not regulated as insurance, with no legal obligation to pay another member's medical expenses. Medi-Share emphasizes spiritual and emotional support, aligning with Christian values and fostering a sense of community. Members contribute monthly share amounts, similar to insurance premiums, which go directly towards other members' eligible medical needs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of program | A healthcare sharing program |
| Operator | Christian Care Ministry (CCM), a non-profit organization |
| Members | Christians who share their financial resources to pay each other's eligible medical expenses |
| Membership | Exempt from certain states' individual mandates that require people to have health insurance or face penalties |
| Membership fees | Monthly share amount, similar to a monthly premium |
| Membership fees calculation | Based on Annual Household Portion (AHP), age of the oldest member, number of family members, and location |
| Membership fees payment | Members deposit their monthly share amounts into Household sharing accounts |
| Open enrollment | Year-round |
| Medical expenses covered | Doctor visits, limited preventative care, hospital stays, certain surgeries, and prescription drugs |
| Medical expenses not covered | Costs associated with behaviours that are deemed "unbiblical", such as substance abuse treatments or injuries from reckless behaviour |
| Nature of program | Not insurance, not regulated as insurance |
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What You'll Learn
Medi-Share is a healthcare sharing program, not insurance
With Medi-Share, monthly share amounts go directly towards sharing in other members' eligible medical needs. There is no pooling of funds as practised by insurance groups, and no premiums, promise of payment, or guarantee that medical bills will be paid. Medi-Share members are exempt from the individual mandate in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Medi-Share is not regulated as insurance, and neither CCM nor any Medi-Share member assumes any legal obligation to share in the payment of another member's medical expenses.
The nature of medical expenses shared by Medi-Share members is quite diverse, ranging from doctor visits, limited preventative care, hospital stays, certain surgeries, and prescription drugs. However, in accordance with biblical principles, costs associated with behaviours deemed "unbiblical" by member guidelines, such as substance abuse treatments or injuries from reckless behaviour, are not included.
Medi-Share emphasises spiritual and emotional support alongside financial assistance, resonating with members seeking a healthcare approach that aligns with their Christian faith. Members experience a deeper connection through Medi-Share, embodying Christ's teachings of mutual support and care. The program is designed to foster a strong sense of Christian community, with members praying for each other, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and encouraging preventive care.
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Members voluntarily share medical expenses
Medi-Share is a healthcare sharing program where members voluntarily share medical expenses. It is facilitated by Christian Care Ministry (CCM), a non-profit organization. Medi-Share members come together to share the cost of one another's medical bills based on member-voted guidelines. These guidelines are rooted in biblical principles, and members are exempt from certain treatments associated with behaviours deemed "unbiblical", such as substance abuse treatments or injuries from reckless behaviour.
The program is not insurance and is not regulated as insurance. Neither CCM nor any Medi-Share member is legally obligated to contribute to the payment of another member's medical expenses. This means that there is no guarantee that medical bills will be shared or paid. Members pay a Monthly Share Amount, similar to a monthly insurance premium, which is based on factors such as age and the Annual Household Portion (AHP). The AHP is the annual amount a family must pay towards their medical bills before their costs become eligible for sharing.
Medi-Share members have their own Household Sharing Accounts, where they deposit their monthly share amounts. These amounts go directly towards sharing other members' eligible medical needs. The program offers an affordable, Bible-based approach to healthcare, allowing families to allocate their resources wisely while honouring God with their finances.
The member-voted guidelines determine how members care for one another and are administered by the CCM. While Medi-Share is not "Christian insurance", it fosters a strong sense of Christian community. Members promote a healthy lifestyle, encourage preventive care, and pray for each other. This sense of community and mutual support is a key aspect of the program, providing spiritual and emotional support alongside financial assistance.
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It is facilitated by Christian Care Ministry (CCM)
Medi-Share is a health care sharing ministry run by a non-profit Christian organization called Christian Care Ministry (CCM). It is not insurance and is not regulated as insurance. CCM and Medi-Share members are not legally obligated to share in the payment of any medical expense incurred by another member. Instead, members voluntarily share each other's medical expenses in accordance with member-voted guidelines. These guidelines are based on biblical principles and exclude costs associated with behaviours deemed "unbiblical" by the members, such as substance abuse treatments or injuries from reckless behaviour.
Medi-Share members contribute monthly share amounts to their household sharing accounts, similar to insurance premiums. However, these amounts are kept affordable and go directly towards sharing other members' eligible medical needs. Members also have an Annual Household Portion (AHP), which is the annual amount a family must pay towards their medical bills before their costs become eligible for sharing. This is similar to a deductible in an insurance plan.
As a community, Medi-Share members share more than just medical costs; they also share faith, support, and love. This sense of community and mutual support is a key aspect of Medi-Share, embodying Christ's teachings. Members experience a deeper connection and spiritual alignment, which distinguishes Medi-Share from traditional insurance companies. The program also offers members a health care cost management system that upholds Christian beliefs and avoids support for choices that contradict their faith.
CCM, as the facilitating organization, administers the member-voted guidelines and ensures the smooth functioning of the program. Medi-Share has been in operation for over 30 years, with members faithfully sharing each other's medical burdens across all 50 states. During this time, members have saved more than $7.8 billion in health care costs through sharing or discounting.
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Members have their own household sharing accounts
Medi-Share is a healthcare sharing program where members voluntarily share each other's medical expenses in accordance with biblical principles. It is facilitated by Christian Care Ministry (CCM), a non-profit organization. Medi-Share is not insurance and is not regulated as insurance.
Members of Medi-Share have their own household sharing accounts. They contribute a monthly share amount, similar to a monthly premium in the insurance world, but Medi-Share works to keep these monthly share amounts affordable for its members. The monthly share amount is based on factors such as the age of the member and their chosen Annual Household Portion (AHP). The AHP is the annual amount a family must pay towards their medical bills before their medical costs become eligible for sharing. This is similar to a deductible in a traditional insurance plan, but once the AHP is met, Medi-Share shares in all eligible medical bills.
Medi-Share members deposit their monthly share amounts into these household sharing accounts. This money goes directly towards sharing in other members' eligible medical needs. It is important to note that Medi-Share members do not assume any legal obligation to share in the payment of another member's medical expenses. The sharing of medical expenses is completely voluntary and based on member-voted guidelines.
The member-voted guidelines determine which medical expenses are eligible for sharing. Costs associated with behaviours that are deemed \"unbiblical\" by the guidelines, such as substance abuse treatments or injuries from reckless behaviour, are not eligible for sharing. Medi-Share strives to align with Christian values and offers members a healthcare cost management system that upholds their Christian beliefs.
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It is exempt from certain state insurance mandates
Medi-Share is a healthcare sharing ministry run by a non-profit Christian organization, Christian Care Ministry (CCM). Members voluntarily share each other's medical expenses in accordance with member-voted guidelines, rooted in biblical principles. It is not insurance and is not regulated as insurance. As such, Medi-Share is exempt from certain state insurance mandates.
In the United States, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates that individuals have health insurance or obtain an exemption. However, Medi-Share members are exempt from this individual mandate. This is because certain states expressly exempt healthcare sharing ministries from insurance regulation, provided they post a specific notice. While Medi-Share does not rely on such exemptions, it has chosen to publish these notices for the following states: Kentucky, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and "All Other States."
The distinction between Medi-Share and insurance is important to understand. With insurance, premiums are paid to an insurance company, which then pays for healthcare costs. Conversely, Medi-Share members' monthly share amounts go directly towards covering other members' eligible medical needs. There is no pooling of funds, and neither CCM nor any Medi-Share member assumes a legal obligation to pay another member's medical expenses.
The nature of medical expenses shared by Medi-Share members is diverse, including doctor visits, hospital stays, certain surgeries, and prescription drugs. However, in alignment with Christian values, Medi-Share does not cover costs associated with behaviours deemed "unbiblical" by member guidelines, such as abortion, substance abuse treatments, or injuries from reckless behaviour.
It is worth noting that while Medi-Share offers an alternative to traditional insurance, some healthcare providers may be unfamiliar with its workings. As a result, members are encouraged to carry Medi-Share FAQs to explain the process to providers. Additionally, members should be aware of specific requirements when filing state income taxes in certain states, such as Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C.
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Frequently asked questions
Medishare is a healthcare sharing program where members of the Christian community share medical expenses in accordance with guidelines adopted and administered by Christian Care Ministry (CCM). It is not insurance and is not regulated as insurance.
Members pay a Monthly Share Amount, which is similar to a monthly premium in the insurance world. This amount varies depending on factors like the Annual Household Portion (AHP), the age of the oldest member, and the number of family members. Once the AHP is met, Medishare shares in all eligible medical bills.
Medishare is not insurance and is exempt from certain state mandates that require people to have insurance. It is a faith-based program where members voluntarily share each other's medical expenses according to member-voted guidelines rooted in biblical principles. There is no pooling of funds, and Medishare does not collect premiums or guarantee payment of medical bills.
Medishare covers a diverse range of medical expenses, including doctor visits, preventative care, hospital stays, surgeries, and prescription drugs. However, it does not cover costs associated with behaviours deemed "unbiblical" by member guidelines, such as substance abuse treatments or injuries from reckless behaviour.
