Christian Medicare supplement plans.
Christian Medicare supplement plans provide coverage to senior citizens, older adults, and the disabled among others. These faith based, healthcare sharing programs are a form of low-cost insurance. Learn more on how Christian Medicare insurance supplemental plans will help the elderly pay for the medical care they need.
Faith-based healthcare-sharing programs have provided a viable religious option to traditional insurance for hundreds of thousands of people, including senior citizens and retirees, for over 40 years. These non-profit organizations allow a large pool of people with similar religious beliefs to share medical bills for a monthly fee that is frequently less than a monthly insurance premium.
Several of the largest healthcare-sharing ministries have specific programs for Medicare recipients, including supplement plans for Part A, B, D and other benefits. This includes persons 65 years of age and older and some people experiencing disabilities. In effect, these programs operate as supplemental Medigap policies and cover expenses not paid by original Medicare or Medicare Advantage plans.
Difference of Christian Medicare and government Medicare benefits
Healthcare-sharing medicare programs are not insurance, although they appear to operate like an insurance policy in many ways. Instead of a premium, senior citizens pay a monthly share for Medicare. The amount is determined by family size, age, and program type. Instead of paying an annual deductible, members must pay an unshared amount before additional expenses can be shared. Christian Medicare programs are not regulated by state insurance departments and are exempt from the mandates of the federal Affordable Care Act.
These faith-based supplemental Medicare programs are generally operated by faith based health ministries and are sometimes called Christian health insurance. Much like credit unions, they are community-oriented and membership driven. Seniors and elderly people share common religious beliefs. Applicants for these programs may be asked to sign a statement of faith.
Many programs do not cover general preventative care or mental health care. However a benefit for senior citizens is that members of the Christian Medicare supplement plans cannot be discharged for developing a medical condition. Some programs have waiting periods before bills for treating pre-existing conditions will be shared though, but there can be extra assistance for seniors on Social Security. Learn more on social security extra help for Medicare.
The faith based Medicare programs generally do not promise payment or guarantee that medical bills will be paid. Shares are considered gifts that are voluntarily paid. Unlike regulated insurance companies, there is no legal protection or government regulations for senior citizens using Christian Medicare plans to ensure claims will be paid.
Companies that offer Christian Medicare insurance supplemental plans
The following examples of faith-based healthcare-sharing programs allow online enrollment at any time. There is no specific open enrollment period.
Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM), Medicare supplement plans, is the longest-serving healthcare-sharing ministry for Christians. Senior or other members have shared more than $8 billion to cover each other's medical costs. Members eligible for Medicare must obtain Part A and Part B coverage or enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan to be eligible for full-sharing status.
There is no application fee. Members of CHM's SeniorShare program pay $115 per month for Gold program status rather than the standard $235 amount. With Gold status, the SeniorShare program covers costs that are unpaid by Medicare up to $125,000 per illness. This includes inpatient or outpatient care, medical testing, physical therapy, and home healthcare visits.
CHM also offers a Brother's Keeper add-on program for an additional $22/month. This eliminates the $125,000 sharing limit per illness, providing added financial protection for catastrophic injuries and illnesses.
CHM will only share up to 20% of eligible healthcare costs for persons who are eligible for Medicare but who have not obtained that coverage. Similarly, the program will only cover 20% of the cost of treatment obtained from a non-Medicare provider. For more information, go to chministries.org.
Medi-Share (medi-share.com) was founded in 1993 with a mission to "connect people to a Christ-centered community wellness experience based on faith, prayer, and personal responsibility." Medi-Share offers a supplementary healthcare sharing option for seniors called Medi-Share 65+. To participate, members must have Medicare Part A and B coverage. Medi-Share 65+ fills in the gap for costs not covered by Medicare.
The monthly sharing amount for members ages 65-74 is $99. For those 75 and older, the amount is $150. Members must also pay a $500 annual household portion. Once that is paid, 100% of eligible bills that Medicare does not pay are shareable. Medi-share members are encouraged to use providers from a preferred network.
Medi-Share will not cover bills for treatment that Medicare deems ineligible for coverage. Medi-Share does not pay for abortions, drug addictions, and illnesses caused by an "unbiblical lifestyle."
Liberty HealthShare (libertyhealthshare.org), offers a program called Liberty Assist to seniors whom Medicare covers. Similar to other programs, Liberty Assist covers costs that are unpaid by Medicare.
Persons can see any doctor without being limited to a specific network. Members present their Liberty HealthShare membership to a medical provider. Other members then share eligible expenses submitted by the provider or member. Telehealth is arranged for seniors on Medicare coverage too, or for those with no insurance as an additional benefit. More on Telehealth without insurance an policy.
For single persons, there is a $1,000 annual unshared amount that must be met before sharing can take place. Couples have a $1,750 unshared amount. Monthly share payments vary based on age. Persons 65-69 years of age pay $85, persons 70-74 pay $90, and persons 80-84 pay $155. For married couples, each person must have a separate Liberty Assist membership.
Liberty HealthShare's stated mission is to "shepherd the Christian tradition of healthcare sharing through prayer, education, personal responsibility and stewardship on the community's resources." Members are expected to live according to biblical principles and to worship or attend church regularly. Tobacco use, illegal drug use, and prescription drug abuse are prohibited.
Solidarity HealthShare (solidarityhealthshare.org) offers a senior discount for membership in its Solidarity ONE programs that allow seniors with Medicare Part A and B to complement their Medicare coverage. Membership guidelines are based on the moral teachings of the Catholic Church but members of any faith may join as long as they meet membership requirements and agree to a statement of beliefs.
Members may obtain treatment from any medical provider. Bills can be submitted by either the provider or member. The maximum shared amount per need is $1 million. Annual unshared amounts range from $3,000 to $12,000 based on the program selected. Having a higher unshared amount reduces monthly sharing amounts. Solidarity charges a $135 application fee.
Solidarity programs include telehealth options, wellness visits, and mental health treatment. The Solidarity Care Card can be used to save on dental and vision services. Solidarity also offers comprehensive sharing for prescription medications as well as the ministry helps arrange rides to the doctor for elderly people. Learn how to get free transportation for elderly people.
For persons with Medicare coverage, the monthly cost of the program with an annual $3,000 unshared amount is $137, a $90 reduction of the cost for non-Medicare members. Other benefits will be offered too. With a $6,000 unshared amount, the monthly shared amount is $112 for persons with Medicare.
Government Medicare vs. Christian Insurance
Anyone considering enrollment in a Christian Medicare healthcare sharing program should carefully review its guidelines, monthly sharing amounts, annual unshared amounts, and the type of treatments eligible for coverage. Compare the services and fees to other private Medicare supplement plans. Reading reviews of current and past members also provides useful information.
For seniors, these programs offer a viable alternative to supplemental Medicare policies offered by traditional insurance companies. People of faith who belong to these and other healthcare-sharing ministries often pay less than they would for comparable insurance coverage.
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