Christian Health Insurance Programs

A growing number of Christians are turning to “member-share” programs as an alternative to traditional health insurance. The programs are based on the Biblical principle of sharing burdens and requires members to contribute a monthly fee to cover the health care costs of other members.

Medi-Share

• Medi-Share was founded in 1993, based on the command found in Galatians 6:2: "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Since its inception, the group’s members have “shared” more than $380 million worth of medical costs, according to the group’s website.

  The program will cover the cost of most procedures and medications, as long as the treatment is approved by the American Medical Association and ordered by an approved medical professional. The program will not cover pre-existing conditions, however, or conditions caused directly or indirectly by a lifestyle that is contrary to the Christian lifestyle. A member cannot be a smoker or drug user, for example. There is also an annual coverage limit of $1 million and a lifetime limit of $5 million.

  The monthly fee is comparable to a standard health insurance program: a 33-year-old man with a wife and two kids, for example, might pay a “standard monthly share” of $495 if he agrees to pay an Annual Household Portion (AHP), which is similar to an insurance deductible, of $1,250. If he agrees to pay an AHP of $10,000, his monthly share would be $158. He would also receive a discount if he and his family meet certain health criteria. The monthly share is deposited into an America's Christian Credit Union account and used to pay for members' medical costs.

  Medi-Share
  P.O. Box 120099
  Melbourne, FL 32912
  [phone]
  medi-share.org

Samaritan Ministries

• Samaritan Ministries has been in operation since 1994 and also was founded on the principle of sharing burdens and the command found in Galatians 6:2.

  The program is slightly different from that of Medi-Share, however, in that members are asked to donate a monthly share only if another member submits a claim, as opposed to depositing money into an account for future use. Also, the money is donated directly to the member in need, not the organization itself.

  In order to join, each household member pays an annual $170 joining fee, which covers the ministry’s administration costs. The monthly share fee is based on household size: a single member would pay $120, while a two-parent household with children would pay $285. In addition, medical claims cannot be less than $300 or more than $100,000.

  Members must also be professing Christians and must abstain from practices that are considered sinful, such as drug abuse and sexual immorality.

  Samaritan Ministries
  P.O. Box 3618
  Peoria, IL 61612
  [phone]
  samaritanministries.org

Christian Healthcare Ministries

• Christian Healthcare Ministries is similar to other programs in that it requires its members to live by Christian principles, abstain from tobacco and drug use, and attend regular church services if health permits. Over the past 15 years, members have shared more than $450 million worth of medical costs, according to the group’s website.

  The ministry offers three levels of individual membership: Gold, which costs $150 per month in addition to a $500 personal responsibility fee [deductible]; Silver, which requires an $85 monthly share fee and a $1,000 personal responsibility fee; and Bronze, which costs $45 per month, plus a $5,000 personal responsibility fee. Each level also has certain requirements and guidelines about the membership.

  In terms of cost, the ministry claims to save the average family more than $7,000 per year compared to the average Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) or Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan. There is no application or annual fee, and the group offers a free month of service to each new member.

  Christian Healthcare Ministries
  P.O. Box 29
  127 Hazelwood Ave.
  Barberton, Ohio 44203
  [phone]