Health care sharing ministry

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A health care sharing service is an organization that facilitates the sharing of health care costs among individual members, in the United States, who share the same ethical or religious beliefs. The ministry of health-care sharing does not use an actuary, does not accept risks or make guarantees, and does not buy a reinsurance policy on behalf of its members. Members of the ministry of health care sharing are exempt from the mandate requirements of individuals from the US Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, commonly referred to as Obamacare (the provision of joint individual liability revoked in December 2017, effective by 2019). This means that ministry members who share health services are not required to have insurance as outlined in the mandate of the individual.

Around 30 countries have safe harbor laws that differentiate health services from health insurance organizations.

Video Health care sharing ministry

History

Most ministries that share health services are oriented toward Christians who practice and are in harmony with the ideals or principles found in the Christian Bible, especially translated to mean that believers have a responsibility to help in meeting their individual needs. Such ministry often quotes biblical verses in Galatians, from the New Testament, as mandates applicable to medical expenses, especially Verse 2 in Chapter 6, where the Apostle Paul wrote "Bear each other's burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ. "Some ministries see verses 44-45 in Chapter 2 of the Book of Acts, also of the New Testament, which states that early Christians" shared and shared all the same "and" gave to whomever he needed, "as a basis for their establishment.

Some countries have tried to block health-sharing ministries on the grounds that they are selling unauthorized insurance. But most countries have enacted safe harbor laws that stipulate that ministries are not insurance and need not be regulated in such a way. In addition, the US Department of Health and Public Services issued an exception letter for ministries that have met the criteria to operate separately from the Affordable Care Act.

The future of the ministry of health-care sharing after the lifting of the mandate of Obamacare individuals is unclear, but a work published by Harvard Law School shows that many people can continue to use it, and they can even expand to those who are not eligible for health subsidies (ie at over the earnings threshold).

Maps Health care sharing ministry

Membership

According to the Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries, a trade association of various ministries, more than 625,000 Americans participate in health care sharing as of September 2016, sharing more than $ 670 million in medical bills annually. The opening in January 2015 in The New York Times states that four major health ministries in the US have a combined membership totaling about 340,000, the membership has grown recently due to the release of health care ministries of insurance mandates from the Affordable Care Act, and that the costs monthly membership in health care sharing services is generally lower than the cost of insurance rates. The Seattle Times also reported that membership has grown significantly in recent years.

Some of the larger health-care sharing ministries are: Christian Healthcare Ministries (established around 1981), Medi-Share, Christian Care Ministry (1993) programs, Samaritan Ministries (1994), Liberty HealthShare (1998), Medical Distribution of MCS and Altrua HealthShare.

Most shared health ministries tend to have limitations such as not having sex outside of marriage, excessive drinking, and using tobacco or illegal drugs. They usually require members to good health and make confidence statements as well. For example, Samaria Ministries requires a statement of Christian faith including belief in the triune God and the deity of Jesus; Liberty HealthShare is more inclusive, accepting members with various religious and ethical beliefs. All such ministries require their members to adhere to the principle of individual responsibility for their own health and to help others in need.

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Requirements under the Affordable Care Act

In order for members to be exempt from the tax penalties described in the Affordable Care Act, the ministry shall meet the following qualifications:

• Must be an organization of 501 (c) (3)
• Members should share common ethical or religious beliefs
• Should not discriminate against membership under the circumstances of residence or employment
• Members can not lose membership due to the development of a medical condition
• Must already exist and have been practiced since December 31, 1999 (grandfather clause)
• Must be subject to annual audit by an independent CPA that must be made available publicly upon request

The four qualified ministries are: Christian Healthcare Ministries, Liberty HealthShare, Medi-Share, and Samaritan Ministries. Medical Cost Sharing MCS, established after 1999, does not qualify, but offers to pay tax penalties incurred by members. Altrua HealthShare has also been recognized as a ministry of sharing of qualified health services, due to a merger with Blessed Assurance Bulletin. Anabaptist Healthshare, founded in 2015, claims to be recognized as a ministry of health care sharing by the US Department of Health & Human Services.. By 2016 Aliera Healthcare/Unity HealthShare? joining AnaBaptist HealthShare (Mennonite Medical Aid Plan), a health care sharing service recognized by Centers for Medicare & amp; Medicaid Services (CMS). Introduction of CMS Unity HealthShare

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Tax deductions

Monthly share payments can not be deducted from US federal income taxes as medical expenses (as this is not payment for insurance) or charity deductions (due to payments for goods and services). Members payments that exceed their minimum monthly threshold, however, can be deducted as charitable contributions.

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See also

• Community benefits

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Note

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References

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Further reading

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External links

• Brase, Twila (April 1, 2010) [2009]. "Medical Sharing Ministries (MSM): A comparison chart" (PDF) . Citizens' Council on Health Care. < range>
• Health Service Alliance Alliance

Source of the article : Wikipedia