What is the history of Medi-Share?
How is Medi-Share biblical?
How does Medi-Share serve as a ministry to the Christian community?
What kind of oversight is there?
Who makes the rules?
Why should I consider Medi-Share?
What are some other advantages of participating in Medi-Share?
Is Medi-Share Christian insurance?
Q. What is the history of Medi-Share?
A. In 1993 Christian Care Ministry was organized offering its members a formalized approach to sharing-- the Medi-Share program. Medi-Share households have saved and shared more than $500 Million in medical expenses since then.
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Q. How is Medi-Share biblical?
A. In the early days of the Church, Christians took care of each other.
And do not foget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:16
Mutual care was simply a way of life. Christians continued to care for each other well into the twentieth century, but after World War II, government programs and insurance companies assumed the role previously played by the Church. As medical costs soared, many churches found they lacked the resources to care for their members. Christians view not-for-profit ministries like Medi-Share as a way to reclaim their biblical mandate to care and provide for their brothers and sisters in Christ.
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Q. How does Medi-Share serve as a ministry to the Christian community?
A. In addition to facilitating the sharing of medical expenses among Medi-Share participants, Christian Care Ministry also addresses participants' spiritual needs. Participants can post medical health needs on the online prayer chain and everyone is encouraged to access and pray for those needs. A Chaplain is also available to counsel and pray with participants. The Health Initiatives Department focuses on the physical condition of every participant, offering health counseling, education and resources.
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Q. What kind of oversight is there at Medi-Share?
A. As a ministry outreach, Medi-Share is self-regulated by a Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is responsible for the policy decisions of the ministry.
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Q. Who makes the rules for the Medi-Share program?
A. The participants make the rules! That's right. All participants have the opportunity to vote on how they wish to care for one another. The Board of Directors review suggestions from Medi-Share participants and recommends changes to the Guidelines each year. Participants can vote to expand what medical needs will be shared, change responsibilities, and otherwise modify the program.
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Q. Why should I consider Medi-Share?
A. There are lots of reasons our participants have chosen Medi-Share Christian Healthcare Sharing, including:
1. Good Stewardship
Most Medi-Share participants are able to significantly cut their annual medical expenses, leaving them with more of their income to support their families and the Lord's work.
2. Not Subsidizing Unbiblical Lifestyles
Medi-Share participants and their dollars do not subsidize abortions, drug addictions, or any other unbiblical lifestyles that inevitably lead to the premature destruction of the body, mind, and spirit.
3. Sharing With Brothers and Sisters in Christ
Knowing that a specific Christian individual will receive your monthly sharing gift is very gratifying. Medi-Share participants know that they are truly making a difference in the life of a beloved brother or sister in Christ. And, those receiving those gifts are greatly encouraged in their time of need by prayer and by the cards and letters that are often sent.
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Q. What are some of the other advantages of Medi-Share?
A. Access to a team of health professionals in the Health Initiatives Department, including physicians and representatives from nursing, exercise physiology, nutrition, and physical therapy. This department answers health related questions and provides many options for achieving optimal health, fitness, and performance.
Another advantage of Medi-Share participation is a prescription discount card from "ScriptSave" sent to every new joiner.
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Q. Is Medi-Share Christian insurance?
A. No. Medi-Share is not insurance. Medi-Share is a program where Christians share each other’s medical expenses. Christian Care Ministry and the Medi-Share program are not registered or licensed by any insurance entity, nor are they required to be. CCM does not collect premiums, make promise of payment, or guarantee that your medical bills will be paid. Sharing of medical bills is completely voluntary.
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What is Health Care Sharing?
How does sharing occur?
Will my share amount change?
Is my share amount tax deductible?
Why do I need to set up an account with ACCU for sharing?
Q. What is Health Care Sharing?
A. The biblical principle of health care sharing forms the basis for Medi-Share, bringing together Christians to share healthcare expenses. Medi-Share participants contribute a monthly amount called a "share." These shares are the funds which satisfy their “share” of eligible healthcare expenses, as well as operating costs.
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Q. How does sharing occur?
A. Every household has an individual account with our partner, America’s Christian Credit Union (ACCU), used for the sole purpose of sharing. The monthly shares are deposited in the individual ACCU account, bringing financial integrity and security to the sharing process. Each month, CCM matches up monthly share amounts with other participants' eligible medical needs and transfers funds between accounts to facilitate sharing.
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Q. Will my share amount change?
A. The guidelines state that your share amount is subject to change at any time. A share adjustment may be necessary if the amount of medical bills submitted for sharing exceeds the amount of monthly shares coming in.
The majority of share amounts change annually based on the age of the oldest person in your household. The average share increase is approximately 3%. In that case, you will be notified via email of the impending change and on your share statement. It will be effective the month following your birthday month.
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Q. Is my share amount tax deductible?
A. The Ministry's CPAs have told us that your share payment is not deductible for federal income tax purposes as a charitable donation or as a medical expense. Since there is the strong possibility that your medical expenses will get shared by another participant, you cannot deduct your share as a charitable donation, even though Christian Care Ministry is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit ministry. And please keep in mind also, your share payment is not tax deductible as an insurance expense because Medi-Share is not insurance.
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Q. Why do I need to set up an account with ACCU for sharing?
A. This account with America's Christian Credit Union is used solely for the purpose of sharing medical bills and without it, you cannot participate in Medi-Share.
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What is an "Annual Household Portion" (AHP)?
How do I meet my AHP?
What if I want to change my AHP level?
How does CCM know I met my AHP?
What is the health incentive?
How do I apply for the health incentive?
Can I apply for the health incentive when I apply for the Medi-Share program?
Do my spouse and I both have to meet the criteria to qualify for the incentive?
Must I be a Medi-Share 2.0 participant to qualify?
Does the healh incentive renew each year?
How do I get an HbA1c test?
Can I have my HbA1c test done elsewhere?
Where can I get the Health Incentive Verification Form completed?
When will my Health Incentive take effect?
Q. What is an "Annual Household Portion (AHP)?"
A. The annual amount of eligible medical bills that a household must meet before eligible medical bills will be published for sharing. There are seven portions to choose from: $500, $1250, $2500, $3750, $5000, $7500, $10,000
Note: the $500 AHP is only available for participants ages 18-29 applying as a single.
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Q. How do I meet my AHP?
A. Every time you visit a medical provider, you will present your card and your provider should submit your medical bills to CCM. They will be processed and discounted, and then your provider will bill you for the portion you owe. Once the amount you pay meets your chosen annual household portion level, your eligible medical bills will be published for sharing.
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Q. What if I want to change my AHP level?
A. Participants must apply in writing to switch Annual Household Portion (AHP). All family members in a household must switch together to the new AHP. There is an administrative fee of $75 to change AHP, and certain limitations apply as shown in the chart in the guidelines.
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Q. How does CCM know I met my AHP?
A. Your providers will submit all medical bills to CCM. At CCM, the bills will be processed and discounted if applicable and apply eligible amounts towards your AHP or published for sharing.
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Q. What is the health incentive?
A. A household may qualify for up to a 20% off their monthly share amount if all adult participants meet specified health criteria, including HbA1c level, BMI and weight/waist measurement. All three elements of the qualifying, including the weight/waist measurement, Body Mass Index (BMI), and HbA1c tests must be completed within 90 days of each other. Applicants for the incentive must obtain, at their expense, certified testing to document their results and annually thereafter to qualify. Participants must also complete a health-risk survey and commit to a healthy lifestyle. Adult children age 18-23 are not required to qualify for the household to receive the incentive. For more information, click here.
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Q. How do I apply for the health incentive?
A. Once you join Medi-Share, you can complete the Health Incentive Application, which includes testing instructions. Once the results are received, you will be notified if you meet the criteria for up to a 20% savings.
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Q. Can I apply for the health incentive when I apply for the Medi-Share program?
A. No, you must be a participant to apply for the health incentive. However, you can order the test kit and compete the application to submit once your Medi-Share participation begins.
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Q. Do my spouse and I both have to meet the criteria to qualify for the incentive?
A. Yes, both adults must meet the criteria. However, adult children age 18-23 are not required to meet the criteria.
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Q. Must I be a Medi-Share 2.0 participant to qualify?
A. Yes. Only standard participants of Medi-Share 2.0 qualify for the health incentive. A standard participant is a participant who is not a mandatory Health Partner.
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Q. Does the healh incentive renew each year?
A. No. The health incentive does not automatically renew annually. Within 90 days of the effective date, the participant(s) must submit new test results in order to determine if they still qualify for the health incentive.
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Q. How do I get an HbA1c test?
A. You can order the HbA1c test by clicking here. The cost is $25 for the first test kit and $23 for each additional. The HbA1c test must be done with the testing kit supplied by CCM (other testing kits are not acceptable).
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Q. Can I have my HbA1c test done elsewhere?
A. Yes, however, the test must be done at a licensed lab where the blood is both drawn and tested (it must be a blood "draw," not "drop"). If you choose to get your test elsewhere you will still need to download and submit the Health IncentiveVerification Form.
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Q. Where can I get the Health Incentive Verification Form completed?
A. The Health Incentive Verification form may be completed by a credentialed health professional (Doctor, RN, RD, Chiropractor, Emergency Medical Personnel, or Fitness Professional). Please note that measurements for height and weight cannot be taken by an immediate family member and must be taken and submitted within 90 days of HbA1c test.
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Q. When will my Health Incentive take effect?
A. That depends. All your results must be received, reviewed and approved by CCM prior to the 7th day of the month for the Health Incentive to be applied to the following month’s share amount due. If after the 7th, the Health Incentive will not apply in the following month, but in the month after.
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What do I do when I need to go the doctor?
Do I need to pre-notify?
Do I need to use a PPO provider?
How do I search for providers in the PHCS network?
Is there a penalty if I do not use a PHCS provider?
What is the provider fee?
Besides the provider fee, do I pay anything to the doctor or hospital when I visit?
Is routine care shared?
Are prescriptions shared?
What if I need an ambulance?
What if I visit the emergency room?
Is maternity shared?
How about adoption?
Q. What do I do when I need to go the doctor?
A. You are encouraged to have your providers submit all your medical bills to CCM and the following will occur:
1. CCM processes every bill for eligibility and the possibility of discounting.
2. Any applicable provider fees are subtracted from the discounted amount.
3. CCM determines the net amount owed by the participant.
4. If the medical bill is eligible for sharing, CCM determines whether the annual household portion has been met and if so, the net amount is published for sharing. If not, the net amount is applied to the AHP.
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Q. Do I need to pre-notify?
A. It is a participant’s responsibility to present his or her ID card to his or her provider at the time of service and to direct the provider to pre-notify CCM by calling (321) 308-7777. Emergency/urgent care does not require pre-notification; however, notification of emergency/urgent care is required within 72 hours of service.
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Q. Do I need to use a PPO provider?
A. You are not required to use the providers in the provider directory, however, you may have to pay a penalty for using a non-network provider. Also, by using providers in the PHCS network you are saving the participants money because of the discounts we receive.
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Q. How do I search for providers in the PHCS network?
A. Use www.MyChristianCare.org/PHCS, or by calling (877) 302-7427.
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Q. Is there a penalty if I do not use a PHCS provider?
A. Yes, if you choose not to use a PHCS provider you may be penalized as using a PPO provider offers more savings for participants, including discounting. Section XI. explains the penalties, and how to apply for a penalty waiver.
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Q. What is the provider fee?
A. The provider fee is $35 for office and hospital visits and $135 for emergency room visits. This is the amount that a participant must pay at each visit to a medical provider, which applies even after the annual household portion has been met Please note that this does not apply toward the annual household portion.
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Q, Besides the provider fee, do I pay anything to the doctor or hospital when I visit?
A. No. Even if you know you have not met your AHP, you should have the providers submit the bills to CCM for discounting and to determine if they are eligible and whether they should be applied to your AHP. Your provider will then bill you for the net amount (which is the discounted amount minus the provider fee).
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Q. Is routine care shared?
A. Routine care is an ineligible expense for sharing. However, participants can still benefit from the provider discounts available by using “in-network” providers and should have their providers submit their bills to CCM.
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Q. Are prescriptions shared?
A. Prescription drugs related to the treatment of an eligible medical condition are published for sharing, but are limited to six (6) months of treatment for each medical condition over the lifetime of the participant. All eligible prescriptions are applied towards your AHP and are published for sharing, if your AHP has been met.
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Q. What if I need an ambulance?
A. The cost of an ambulance will only be shared in life-threatening situations and to the nearest facility capable of providing the medically required care.Section VIII. F.
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Q. What if I visit the emergency room?
A. The cost of emergency room care may be eligible for sharing. The provider fee for emergency room care is $135, however, if you are subsequently admitted to the hospital, you only pay the $35 provider fee.
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Q. Is maternity shared?
A. Maternity is eligible for sharing, however, there are limitations. There is a specific amount of eligible medical bills per pregnancy that will be shareable after the Annual Household Portion (AHP) has been met and the Additional Member Portion (AMP) has been paid, depending on which AHP level you participate in. Please Read Section IX. for specifics.
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Q. How about adoption?
A. Up to two adoption events can be shared per Household. There are limitations, however, and Section VII. E. should be reviewed for the specifics.
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