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What is a Health Care Sharing Ministry?

A health care sharing ministry is essentially a religious organization that shares the health care and medical expenses of all members equally. Instead of purchasing a health insurance plan, members sign up for a ministry and agree to split some of their medical costs. One key benefit to joining one of these programs is that you meet the requirements of the Affordable Care Act. Members of registered ministries will not face any fees when they file their taxes the following year for not having traditional insurance.

What a Ministry Does

According to the Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries, there are more than 60,000 people from every state in the country participating in these programs every year. The groups focus on the idea found in the Holy Bible that states every person is responsible for the next. Each group will make a list of parishioners who need medical help and send out a list of those names every month. Members can then donate as much money as they want to help those individuals, and the group will split the money among those in need. Other groups charge a monthly or annual fee and divide that money equally among all members to cover their medical costs.

Requirements for Participating

These ministries require that members follow a specific faith. If you’re a Methodist or a Presbyterian, you cannot join a group that is only open to Catholics. You may need to attend church regularly and show proof of which church you attend. Some ministries also require that members follow a specific tenant or a set of rules. These rules may state that you cannot smoke, drink alcohol or use any drugs. Depending on the group you join, you may find that the ministry requires that all members abstain from sexual intercourse outside of marriage too.

Benefits of Joining

The Affordable Care Act requires that you have health insurance that you purchase from your employer or the government marketplace. If you do not have coverage for all 12 months in the year before filing your taxes and do not meet financial guidelines, you must pay a penalty. Joining one of these ministries will help you meet the requirements of having insurance and help you avoid paying high fines in the next year. You’ll also have the chance to share your story with others, get money to pay your medical bills and get support from members of the organization.

Common Issues

Before signing up for a health care sharing ministry, keep in mind that you may face some common issues or problems. The first is that many of these groups do not cover medical costs relating to reproductive health. You usually cannot get help paying for birth control or STI treatments. There is also a chance that the group may not have enough money to help every member. If you face high costs for cancer treatment, the organization may limit the amount you get each month or cap the total amount you can receive in a single year.

Health insurance helps you see your doctor, get treated for common ailments and even fill your prescriptions for less. One of the common alternatives for those who cannot afford health insurance is a health care sharing ministry that may require you follow certain regulations to join.

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