FAQs

About Senior Assist

What is Senior Assist?
What is the annual responsibility?
Do I have to have Medicare?
Is this insurance? 
Why  would I choose Senior Assist?
How much does it cost?
What is the application fee?
What is the new joiner fee?
What if I have pre-existing conditions?
Can I get “kicked out” of Senior Assist for medical reasons? 

What is Senior Assist?
Senior Assist is a sharing program for seniors 65 and older. It fills in where Medicare doesn’t. Members will share your eligible co-payments and coinsurance, hospitalization, excess charges, and out-of-country urgent care.

What is the annual responsibility?
Senior Assist has an annual household portion (AHP) or "responsibility" of $1,250. This is the dollar amount that a Member must pay toward Eligible Medical Bills during a 12 month period, which begins with the Effective Date, before Eligible Medical Bills can be published for sharing.

Do I have to have Medicare?
Yes. In order to participate in Senior Assist, you must have Medicare Parts A and B. 

Is this insurance?
No. Medi-Share is not insurance or an insurance policy, nor is it offered through an insurance company. 

Why would I choose Senior Assist?
Medi-Share members are part of a Christian community that support each other not only through medical bill sharing, but through prayer support. This community of believers share the same values and appreciate that their healthcare dollars are not subsidizing abortions, drug addictions, or any other unbiblical lifestyle choices.

How much does it cost?
Senior Assist members contribute the following share each month, based on their age:

$70 per month for 65-70 year olds
$85 per month for 71-75 year olds
$95 per month for anyone 76 or older 

What is the application fee?
The one-time application fee is $50 and paid when you submit your application.

What is the new joiner fee?
The one-time fee of $120 is waived for Senior Assist applicants.

What if I have pre-existing conditions?
There are no sharing limitations on pre-existing conditions. Please read the Senior Assist guidelines for details.

Can I get “kicked out” of Senior Assist for medical reasons?
No. 

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Sharing

How does Medi-Share Senior Assist work with Medicare?
How does sharing work?
How does sharing occur?
What if Medicare doesn’t allow something, is that shared?
Is everything eligible for sharing?
Can I use my own doctors?
What about prescriptions?
Does the share cost change as I get older?

How does Medi-Share Senior Assist work with Medicare?
Because Senior Assist Members are enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B, sharing of Eligible Medical Bills will be secondary to Medicare. Once the annual household portion has been met, the portion of Eligible Medical Bills that Medicare has not paid (the difference between the Medicare allowable amount and the amount paid) will be eligible for sharing, subject to the provisions of the Guidelines. 

How does sharing work? 
Healthcare sharing brings Christians together to share healthcare expenses. Medi-Share members contribute a monthly amount called a share. These shares are the funds used to pay their “share” of other members’ eligible medical bills. 

How does sharing occur?
Every Senior Assist member has an individual account used for the sole purpose of sharing. The monthly shares are deposited in the individual account. Each month, Christian Care Ministry matches a member's shares with other members’ eligible medical bills for sharing. 

What if  my care is not allowable under Medicare, is that shared?
The Medi-Share Senior Assist Guidelines state that Medicare must approve the service or it is not eligible for sharing. In addition, if the medical bill has not yet been reviewed or processed by Medicare, it will not be considered for sharing. 

Is everything eligible for sharing?
No, there are some limitations. Please read the Medi-Share Senior Assist Guidelines before applying. 

Can I use my own doctors?
Yes, as long as they are Medicare-approved. 

What about prescriptions?
Prescriptions are only shared if they have been approved by Medicare A and B. It is recommended that you consider a Medicare Part D policy for your prescription expenses. 

Does the share cost change as I get older?
Your monthly share cost of $70 increases to $85 per month when you reach 71 years old, and then to $95 per month when you reach age 76.  It is also important to note that your monthly share amount is subject to change at any time, based on the amount of medical bills that are submitted for sharing by the entire membership.

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How To

How do I apply?  
How does my bill get shared?
Do I need to submit the bills for sharing?

How do I apply?
Apply online here. Or, a Medi-Share representative can assist you with your application by phone when you call (800) 772-5623.

How does my bill get shared?
Once your annual household portion (AHP) has been met, CCM uses fellow members’ shares to send a check to your provider. 

Do I need to submit the bills for sharing? 
No. Once Medicare has processed your medical bills, a Medicare “Explanation of Benefits” will be sent to your provider outlining what was paid by Medicare and your outstanding balance. Your provider will submit the EOB to CCM for sharing.

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