faqs
Here are some answers to common questions about the Medi-Share program. Check out our How It Works Video or contact (800) PSALM 23 (800-772-5623) to speak with a representative who will gladly answer your questions.
+ ABOUT
How is Medi-Share biblical?
What kind of oversight is there?
Who makes the rules?
Why should I consider Medi-Share?
Is Medi-Share Christian insurance?
Will my share amount change?
Is my share amount tax deductible?
Why do I need to set up an account for sharing?
Is maternity shared?
How about adoption?
Q. How is Medi-Share biblical?
A. Taking care of each other was a way of life for Christians in the days of the early Church. The book of Acts is a great picture of the fellowship of believers as well as mutual care.
All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Acts 2:44-45
Christians view Medi-Share as a way to reclaim their biblical mandate to care and provide for their brothers and sisters in Christ.
Q. What kind of oversight is there at Medi-Share?
A. Medi-Share is self-regulated by a Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is responsible for the policy decisions of the ministry.
Q. Who makes the rules for the Medi-Share program?
A. The Members make the rules! All Members have the opportunity to vote on how they wish to care for one another. The Board of Directors and Medi-Share Steering Committee members review suggestions from Medi-Share Members and recommends changes to the Guidelines. Voting is used to help create, amend and change the program Guidelines; voting is not used for determining whether specific individual bills should be approved for sharing.
Q. Why should I consider Medi-Share?
A. Members have chosen Medi-Share for many reasons:
1. Good Stewardship
Most Medi-Share members 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 members and their dollars do not pay for abortions, drug addictions, or any other unbiblical lifestyles.
3. Sharing With Brothers and Sisters in Christ
Knowing that a Christian will receive your monthly sharing gift is very gratifying. Medi-Share members know that they are truly making a difference in the life of a brother or sister in Christ. Those receiving those gifts are greatly encouraged in their time of need by prayer and by the cards and letters that are often sent.
Q. Is Medi-Share Christian insurance?
A. No. Medi-Share is not insurance. Medi-Share is a healthcare sharing program where Christians share their financial resources to pay each other’s medical expenses. Medi-Share isn’t insurance. Resources are shared directly between members. There is no pooling of funds as practiced by insurance groups. Christian Care Ministry and the Medi-Share program are not registered or licensed by any insurance entity, nor are we required to be. We do not collect premiums, make promise of payment, or guarantee that your medical bills will be paid. Sharing of medical bills is completely voluntary.
Q. Will my share amount change?
A. 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.
Q. Is my share amount tax deductible?
A. 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 Member, you cannot deduct your share as a charitable donation, even though Christian Care Ministry is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit ministry. Your share payment is not tax deductible as an insurance expense because Medi-Share is not insurance.
Q. Why do I need an individual account for sharing?
A. Your sharing account is used solely for the purpose of sharing medical bills. The monthly shares are deposited in your individual sharing account to bring financial integrity and security to the sharing process. Without it, you cannot participate in Medi-Share.
Q. Is maternity shared?
A. Maternity is eligible for sharing, however, there are certain conditions and limitations, depending on which AHP level you choose. Maternity sharing is not available at the $1,000 or $1,750 AHP level, and maternity sharing is limited to $125,000 per pregnancy event. Please refer to Section VII. for specifics.
Q. Is adoption shared?
A. Up to two adoption events can be shared per Household. However, there are certain conditions. For more information, please read Section VIII.
+ HOW'S IT DIFFERENT?
What is the deductible?
What is the monthly premium?
How does the claim (and sharing) process work?
Why aren’t well-visits, routine care or preventative care shared?
Q. What is the deductible?
A. Members do not have deductibles. Instead, our members have an Annual Household Portion (AHP). Members choose an AHP ranging from $1,000-$10,500.
The AHP is the annual amount a household is responsible for before medical bills will be approved for sharing. The AHP only applies to Eligible Medical Bills. After the AHP has been met, ALL eligible medical bills will be submitted for sharing for the entire household.
Q. What is the monthly premium?
A. Members do not have a monthly premium. Instead, our members contribute a monthly “share” based on age and how many in the household. Members deposit their monthly share into their sharing account and it goes directly into a fellow member’s sharing account to pay their medical bills.
Q. How does the claim (and sharing) process work?
A. Members do not file claims, nor does the ministry handle claims because we are not an insurance company. If your eligible medical bill is paid, it is paid with funds received directly from another member. Members present their member ID card to their service provider. The service provider then discounts the bill accordingly, if within the Preferred Provider Organization network. The bill is then sent to us where we negotiate for further discounts. Here, we review the services provided to determine if the bill is eligible for sharing. After the AHP has been met and if the bill is eligible, it is eligible for sharing among the other members. For more details on what is eligible and how the AHP works, please review the Guidelines.
Q. Why aren’t well-visits, routine care or preventative care shared?
A. The primary purpose of Medi-Share is to help share members’ burdens. Burdens are those unexpected medical bills you are unable to plan for (ie. broken bones, cancer, etc). Low monthly share amounts enable you to budget for your family’s routine care, which can be planned. There are exceptions for well-baby care, Section VII. E.
+ OPTIONS
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?
Q. What is an "Annual Household Portion (AHP)?"
A. The AHP is the dollar amount a Member Household must pay toward their Eligible Medical Bills during a 12-month period before their needs will be approved for sharing. The AHP 12-month period begins with the Effective Date.
Q. How do I meet my AHP?
A. You will present your card every time you visit a medical provider. 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 approved for sharing.
Q. What if I want to change my AHP level?
A. Members can change their AHP level online. 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.
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. We would then apply eligible amounts toward your AHP or approve for sharing if your AHP has been met.
Q. What is the health incentive?
A. A household may qualify for up to a 20% off their monthly share amount with the health incentive. All adult Members must meet certain health criteria. To qualify, Members must verify their blood pressure, BMI and weight/waist measurement within 90 days of each other. For more information, click here.
+ WHAT HAPPENS IF I NEED CARE?
What do I do when I need to go to the doctor?
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?
Are prescriptions shared?
What if I visit the emergency room?
Q. What do I do when I need to go to the doctor?
A. Members are encouraged to search for a provider within our PHCS network. Once at the doctor appointment, members are responsible for paying a provider fee during any office or ER visit. Medi-Share members pay a $35 provider fee for doctors and hospitalizations, and a $200 provider fee for emergency room care. The balance of the bill is then sent to Medi-Share for processing and discounting. If the medical bill is eligible for sharing, CCM determines whether the annual household portion has been met. If so, the net amount is approved for sharing. If not, the net amount (what you owe the provider) is applied to your AHP.
Q. Do I need to use a PPO provider?
A. You are not required to use the providers in the provider directory. However, your bill will not be eligible for discounting if you visit a provider outside of the network.
Q. How do I search for providers in the PHCS network?
A. Use the "Find a Provider" button on your Member Center.
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 Members, including discounting. Section V.B. explains the penalties, and how to apply for a penalty waiver.
Q. What is the provider fee?
A. The provider fee is $35 for office and hospital visits and $200 for emergency room visits. This is the amount that a member must pay at each visit to a medical provider. Members are always responsible for paying the provider fee, even after the AHP has been met. Please note this does not apply toward the annual household portion.
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, 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).
Q. Are prescriptions shared?
A. Prescription drugs related to the treatment of an eligible medical condition are published for sharing. Prescriptions are limited to six (6) months of treatment for each medical condition over the lifetime of the Member. All eligible prescriptions are applied toward your AHP and are approved for sharing, if your AHP has been met.
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 $200.
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1-800-PSALM-23