[Update to the update: I've added a note about another feature — it's below!]
In recent months, there have been some interesting changes at Samaritan Ministries, the Christian healthcare sharing network that The Artist and I (and now my mother and sister as well) belong to. I thought I'd give an update!
First of all, if you're not yet familiar, you can read my previous posts on the topic here:
Why We Love Being Medically Uninsured
Why We Love Being Medically Uninsured, Part 2
So, what's new at Samaritan?
For one thing, the whole system has been streamlined tremendously thanks to Samaritan moving more of its business — almost all of its business, in fact — online. Whereas I used to have to collect all my bills and physically send them to Samaritan, making sure to make copies for my records, I can now simply upload photos of those bills online. Even opening up the process of opening up a new Need (see links above to know what the heck I'm talking about) can now be done online. It is remarkably easy.
Even the share payment part is becoming simpler, as folks can now opt into a system of using PayPal instead of receiving checks. Your monthly share will only be payable online if the person you're sending it to has signed up for the PayPal function. As more people do this, more of the process will be online. I still think it's a good thing to send paper checks along with those caring notes, though!
[2/7/2018 Update: In the original post, I forgot to mention that the online portal for Samaritan members (known as the Dashboard) now gives each member access to a community forum where members can connect to other members: prayer requests, feedback for Samaritan, connecting with other members to share information about providers, etc. It isn't extremely active but it's also relatively new — I think it's a great idea and I actually have been asking for just such a resource for a while now!
The Dashboard also gives members access to other resources like Healthcare Bluebook (where you can look up costs of procedures for shopping/comparison purposes), a 24/7 Nurse Advice line, information about best prices available for prescription drugs, and more!]
But, in perhaps bigger news, there is now also a new pricing option at Samaritan called Samaritan Basic.
Essentially, Samaritan now offers a healthcare sharing plan that costs less and covers less, with a higher “initial unshareable” (equivalent to deductible). So it's similar to what you'd be doing if you just bought a less expensive health insurance plan; less coverage, but also less cost.
“Samaritan Basic will allow those who have been wondering if health care sharing is right for their family to explore the option at a lower monthly share amount,” said Anthony Hopp, Samaritan Ministries’ vice president of external relations. “We hope that current Samaritan members will use this new level of sharing to introduce health care sharing to their friends and extended family members. We know that families have different needs and budgets, and we want to make sure that even more believers come together to bear one another’s burdens through health care sharing.”
You can see what the difference is, and calculate for your own household, here on this cost information page.
Also, I just wanted to share this story about a couple who entered into Samaritan Ministries even though she had a pre-existing condition. Not to say that Samaritan is the answer for everyone (because I know that the pre-existing conditions thing is a major concern and a very reasonable one), but just to say that it can work out if this is what you're called to do — the five year clause is one that does open up possibilities.
It's worth considering: If the condition is a chronic ongoing one that involves something that is not catastrophic, consider whether your overall savings when you use a health sharing group offsets the ongoing costs of treatment.
For instance, suppose you save $1500 a month by being a member of Samaritan, and your pre-existing condition would cost you an average of $1000 a month if you paid out of pocket. That cost still represents an overall savings of $6000 a year! Even though $1000 a month sounds scary, the benefit of paying it is clear. Just something to think about, because I know that health insurance is just insanely expensive these days!
As always, I'm more than willing to do my best to answer your questions if you have any!
I was not paid to write this post. I am just a huge fan of Samaritan, which has been an enormous blessing for my family the past three+ years (including two babies and multiple other Needs submitted), while The Artist has been studying (after having left his job with a comfortable insurance plan)!
However, if you do decide to sign up, it would be a big help to us if you mention our names – John and Deirdre Folley – in the referral section! We receive a credit that helps us to pay the next month's share – thank you so much!
Beth says
What has bothered me about such programs is the lack of coverage for individuals that truly need it, regardless of their behaviors. So, if, hypothetically, my teenage daughter gets pregnant, it looks like she would be removed from coverage. If I want to go to Catholic Charities for alcohol addiction treatment, it isn’t shared. Similarly, unrelated to spiritual/behavioral choices, if my adolescent son needs a psychiatric medication to function, it isn’t shared. The group claims to be emphasizing a whole person, but then restricts who they will help. For us, a few years ago, this was a deal breaker but I do now wonder if the special prayer needs may help to offset this downside. I mean, it seemed that they were creating a special group of christian members, ignoring the fact that a person’s heart disease or diabetes also might have stemmed from the sin of a lifetime of gluttony (as an example). For me, it would be even better if they simply just stated that they weren’t covering certain immoral procedures or interventions rather than saying, “if you did xyz behavior, then it won’t be shared.” Perhaps, as a member you or others have a broader perspective or different experience?
Deirdre says
Beth, I think I understand what you’re saying, but it’s possible I’m misunderstanding you — let me know if I didn’t quite get your thought…
The behavioral thing doesn’t bother me at all, because those are the terms of agreement in the network. In theory, there could be a group of Christian people who got together to help each other pay for health care needs, and within that group they could agree that they would pay for *any* bill, even if the bill arose because of someone’s immoral or irresponsible behavior. Of course, that would raise prudential questions to my mind: by agreeing to pay for such things, is the group not tacitly approving those behaviors or at least indicating that they’re *not so bad*? It’s worth considering and the group would have to have its own position about that prudential question.
However, in the case of Samaritan, the judgment has been made that those bills won’t be covered. So if you opt in, that’s what you’re agreeing to. I we make a mistake and have a bill as a result, we can’t blame Samaritan… we knew what we were getting into and we agreed to the terms. It makes sense to me that you would give the tacit moral instruction by setting those terms (e.g., teaching your members that drunkenness is wrong by setting out forthrightly that bills caused by drunkenness won’t be shared) as well as keep costs down (the group shouldn’t be punished with heavier bills because someone was irresponsible). And discriminating against behaviors is very different from discriminating against persons.
And I guess there are just some things that would be too difficult to discern/judge from a distance (e.g., was someone’s heart disease a result of gluttony or no).
So yeah… I don’t see a case against Samaritan here. Unless you want to clarify further. 🙂
Beth says
Despite my rambling and poor comma use, I think you got the gist of what I was saying. 🙂 Your definition helped, and I think defining it as what it is not will also help me (e.g., it is not universal health care; it is not charity; etc.). It still bothers me that they pick and choose what to cover since we all sin, but what you say about not reinforcing objectively immoral behavior also makes sense. I haven’t ruled this option out yet for my family. Much to think about. Thanks!
Theresa says
Forgive this question if your answer appears somewhere else: I hope I am not misinformed, but does the state of MA allow this as legitimate health insurance? It looks terrific! Thank you for your research and sharing with us.
Deirdre says
Theresa, yep! It’s fully recognized in all 50 states! Although I should clarify: it is technically an alternative to health insurance, not actually health insurance. 🙂
Anne Marie says
I am finally today sitting down to figure out which healthshare plan we want to use. SO long overdue. Premiums are breaking us. Is there a reason why you have not chosen CMF Curio, the Catholic version of Samaritan, or Solidarity, the Catholic version of Liberty Healthshare?
Deirdre says
Hi Anne Marie! We went with Samaritan because it was the one that we had a connection to – our friends were members and recommended it. At the time, too, it was more affordable than the Catholic option we were aware of. We’ve been so delighted with it that we haven’t seen any need to switch, although I do think that it’s awesome that there are Catholic options available as well. (Interesting to note Karen’s comment, below.)
Anamaria says
Thanks for the update! We love Samaritan even more this pregnancy, especially as my midwife recommends some expensive probiotics and prenatals, along with other vitamins and supplements to help with specific ailments- and I can get what she recommends without financial worry since these are covered!
I told my sister about the basic option- it is definitely great if you’re not in a child-bearing situation (not so much if you are, since it would only cover a homebirth, basically, and I am never willing to financial risk the certainty that I won’t have to transfer to a hospital).
Thanks for the details about the new online submission process- now that our computer/internet situation is more stable, I will finally take advantage of this!
PS Way to change the subject. Still don’t know why that happened.
Leila says
It’s true that some things are not covered by Samaritan. But it’s equally true that some things are not covered by insurance! I am trying to collect stories of sudden refusals of coverage — which is also very different from up front telling you “this will not be covered”. Imagine a child’s cancer treatment suddenly ending…
Samaritan sends a form for you to fill out for the state that suffices to prove your insurance status and relieve you from the fine.
Anamaria says
Yes, when we had insurance, anti-nausea meds were “covered”– but only after submitting some intense and bizarre paperwork. So, during my first pregnancy, the vomiting skyrocketed to uncontrollable and I wound up in the ER, all while trying to get (very expensive) medicine to control it (once my husband and I realized that was necessary). With Samaritan, we just… bought the drugs as needed and were reimbursed.
Karen says
I have been a Samaritan member for the past few years, after self-employment premiums skyrocketed. I love Samaritan. I’ve been through a couple health needs and utilized them and love their “dashboard” and ways of organizing health care costs. And, when you are working through a health care situation, it is beautiful to be on the phone with someone who is willing to pray with and for you. It is an amazing ministry. I will say, on a personal note, that I work in the health care field and find that my patients, overall, have the easiest time with Samaritan versus some of the other cost-sharing options out there. I’m not saying the others aren’t worth looking into, but do do your research and ask others for reviews of their experience. My experience is that SM is (by far) the easiest to navigate and see reimbursements quickly. Of course, the member needs to be on top of bills and submit them in a timely manner as well. 🙂
Deirdre says
Thanks for the info, Karen! Very interesting.
Marilyn Heller says
I had been a Samaritan member for a couple of years and just switched over to Solidarity a few months ago. I’m basically healthy, but was paying an exorbitant amount for insurance as someone who is self-employed., and the health share approach is perfect for my situation. I like the approach of Solidarity a little better in that I don’t have to send my share to an individual each month along with a note and an assurance of prayer. of course, I don’t mind praying for people, but I don’t like the pressure to do so. With Solidarity, my monthly payment goes to their office each month. No burden on me to write out checks to 3rd parties. Also, I’ve heard the CEO of Solidarity speak and he is a faithful Catholic from the Phoenix diocese, and I just liked his way of thinking. It seemed a little more Catholic than Evangelical (not that there’s anything wrong with Evangelical, but it’s just not my style).
Heather says
I just want to add to this that we have been members of Samaritan for a couple of years now, and by using the Dashboard, I submit my payments to members with Paypal. The process might take a minute–it’s very simple! I don’t have to mail the checks, which would be a bit difficult for me to do each month. And while I have written letters to some members to tell them that I am praying for them, some months I don’t do that. I will pray, but I don’t always write a note. And that is OK. I just wanted to clarify the actual process required by Samaritan when it comes to paying shares and writing letters.
We also switched because we are self-employed and the premiums were rising too high. We have a son with a pre-existing condition (bilateral cleft lip and palate), and we pay for additional coverage related to his diagnosis through Michigan Children’s Special Health Care Services, and that covers everything related to his cleft (and we are not low-income, but with the number of children we have and the price of insurance and deductibles, this made sense for us financially). I never thought we could leave insurance due to his condition, but when the prices for insurance got too exorbitant, I dug a bit deeper and found out it could work for us! I am so grateful for health sharing ministries!
stayathomedoctor says
We joined Samaritan last year. The price of insurance on the individual market was getting ridiculous. We are so happy to be part of it. Instead of feeling sad or upset about sending in large monthly premiums, we are glad to send money to other Christians in need, and to get to pray for them. The feeling of belonging to a huge community with a common faith is a great blessing. Some of my siblings are in it, and about half of our church.
Hanley says
I joined Samaritan after reading about it here a while ago! I had a baby last September and since I planned a home birth, it was completely covered (no cost to me), but my water broke at 30 weeks and I ended up spending 10 days in the hospital before giving birth at 32 weeks. Because we were cash pay patients, we got a “discount” of $3500/night in the hospital. We were then reimbursed by Samaritan members for all of it. And as a bonus, we paid all the initial bills on our credit card and earned about $500 in travel rewards. That’s a life hack that no one should try! I am very happy with my choice of Samaritan.
Helen Hawersaat says
If you happen to know-
Does Samaritan cover mental health costs (counseling and medication)? I’ve heard that it doesn’t, but I can’t find it in the guidelines.
Victoria says
Last time I checked, they don’t cover mental health services, but they will still consider publishing mental health bills as a Special Prayer Need so that members who feel called to do so can send whatever they wish to the person in need. We are members of Samaritan and send a little bit of money for Special Prayer Needs most months. We published a SPN once and didn’t receive any money, tbh, but we ended up managing on our own. They have alternate strategies if your family is really struggling.
Deirdre says
Hi Helen, Yes I think that Victoria is correct that mental health concerns are not covered — but do dig through the guidelines a bit more; I recall reading about it the last time I perused (I just don’t have time to check for you now!). I think that it’s perhaps too difficult for Samaritan to be able to discern between legitimate mental health care and ineffective/non-pressing therapy…
Emily says
I’m not with Samaritan, but with a similar type of program called Christian Healthcare Ministries. I too have been very pleased with the program!! Two years ago I tore my ACL and broke my fibula downhill skiing (a little embarrassing) and was completely reimbursed for the entire surgery and all bills related to the surgery (MRI, physical therapy, etc.). It has been a blessing!
Gabbi says
Hope I can still ask a question….I’ve only spoken with a Solidarity rep, but I am interested in Samaritan for my family. We can save hundreds of dollars each month if we switch. Does Samaritan offer any vision or dental help? Also, is this how it basically works: before I reach a certain “deductible,” I would go to the doctor if needed and pay the bill myself, also sending it in to Samaritan so they have a record of our payments so they know when I reach that “deductible?” Once I reach that amount, I tell the doctor that I belong to Samaritan, and the doctor sends the bill to Samaritan? Or do I still pay the doctor and then wait for reimbursement? Thanks. Oh, and what about prescriptions? Thanks!
Deirdre Folley says
Hi Gabbi,
I do encourage you to reach out to Samaritan to get thorough answers to your questions! But I’ll try quickly to fill you in here.
– No vision or dental coverage.
– I don’t think it’s helpful to think of it in terms of a “deductible.” Just think in terms of each Need: if the Need exceeds $300 (if I’m up to date on the specific number; it’s been a while since I’ve submitted one), then everything over that $300 will be covered. (One exception is in the case of home birth, which is entirely covered; no $300 threshold.) As soon as the Need arises, you can provide the info to Samaritan to get it processed — the sooner you process, the sooner you’ll have members sending you checks to cover the Need. In my case, I’ve usually paid up front and done the Need processing after the fact.
– The answer to your penultimate question is that you pay the Dr. and receive reimbursement from the network. I’ve never had a Dr. send bills to Samaritan; I send the bills in myself. (There is now an option to streamline this process with Samaritan Given, which is more online-based and faster/more convenient, but also comes with the family covering more of the upfront cost of each need in exchange for a lower monthly share amount.)
– Samaritan can help with prescriptions to some extent — that’s another topic to check out the fine print about on the website.
I hope that helps! 🙂
Sophia says
I really want to go with Samaritan, but I have had ongoing thyroid/hormonal issues for years. I was treated for it a very long time ago (over 10 years now), but my symptoms have never really gone away–I just stopped getting treated. So something like that would not be covered if I were to get diagnosed with a hormonal or autoimmune disorder? I’ve been trying to find a clear answer. I’m really discouraged at the thought of not being able to get coverage.