Comparing Medical Cost Sharing Programs

Many healthcare cost-sharing programs have similar characteristics and payment structures. For one, members must be professed practicing Christians living according to Biblical principles, as cost sharing by law is a religious exemption from the health insurance mandate.

However, there are differences between different organizations offering medical cost-sharing. Exploring the differences is important to understanding the best option for you and your budget.

Liberty Direct

• Individuals Cost: Your monthly responsibility is $149 if you’re under 30 and $199 if you’re over 30, and your annual unshared expense amount is $500.
• Couples Cost: Your monthly responsibility is $249 if the youngest spouse is under 30, $299 if over 30, and your annual unshared expense amount is $1,000.
• Families: Your monthly responsibility is $399 if the youngest spouse is under 30, $449 if over 30, and your annual unshared expense amount is $1,500.
• Annual membership fee: $125 the first year and $75 each year afterward.
• Members have agreed not to share a first dollar amount together when medical expenses arise. The annual unshared amount is $500 for a single, $1000 for a couple, and $1500 for a family.
• The maximum amount you can receive through Liberty Direct members is $1 million per incident.

Joining A Direct Primary Care Practice (DPC) with Libert Direct
Liberty Direct helps pay the monthly DPC membership fee. The monthly stipend is $60 for individuals, $80 for couples, and $100 for families.

Pre-Existing Conditions/Provisional Membership
Expenses related to designated pre-existing conditions are not covered for the first 12 months. Pre-existing conditions are any conditions that have evidenced symptoms in the past 24 months. Members with pre-existing conditions cannot receive shared funds for the first year. They are eligible for $25,000 the next year and $50,000 the year after. From the fourth year on, the condition is no longer considered pre-existing.

Some individuals may not qualify due to past or present medical conditions. Provisional memberships are available for people with certain conditions. These members are asked to pay a higher monthly share account and participate in a wellness program.

• Dental / Vision: Liberty Direct does not cover dental and vision healthcare; a third-party discount program is offered.
  
• Healthy Lifestyle Requirement
  •  Abstain from tobacco in any form.
  • Follow Biblical teachings on the use or abuse of alcohol.
  • Don’t abuse prescription drugs.
  • Don’t use illegal drugs.
  • Exercise regularly and eat healthy foods.

How Do You Pay for Medical Expenses with a Medical Cost-Sharing Amount? 
Tell your doctor you are self-pay but part of a community that shares healthcare expenses. Patients can explain that bills should be sent electronically or by mail as directed on their membership card. Explain that reimbursement will come from the funds shared with you from the group in about 30 days.

Members receive an online secure funds exchange account called a “Sharebox.” You log on to the member site each month, receive your monthly assignment, and transfer your monthly share amount directly to another member’s secure ShareBox. Other members will send funds to your ShareBox when you have medical expenses.

Christian Healthcare Ministries

Some Facts

• The first faith-based cost-sharing ministry started more than 30 years ago.
• More than $1 billion in shared costs to date.
• Currently, there are about 140,000 members, which is growing fast.
• CHM has worked with more than 40,000 healthcare providers nationwide.

Membership Costs
There are three levels of membership: gold, silver, and bronze.

• Gold members pay $150 per person, have a $500 personal responsibility before sharing occurs, and can receive up to $125,000 in cost-sharing per incident.
• Silver members have a $1,000 personal responsibility.
• Bronze members have $5,000.

Pre-Existing Conditions
CHM discerns between those in “active” treatment of their condition and those in “maintenance” treatment. Bills for those actively undergoing treatment cannot be shared, but maintenance treatment is eligible for cost sharing.

Those qualifying pre-existing conditions can share up to $15,000 in the first year. The amount rises to $25,000 in the second year and $50,000 in the third year, and after that, the condition is no longer considered pre-existing.

Maternity Care
CHM gold members receive cost sharing benefits for pre-natal care, hospital delivery, midwife and post-natal care. Complications are also covered.

How You Receive Funds
CHM receives your bills, reviews them for discounts, and sends you a check for the amount needed. The process takes 90-120 days.

Medi-Share

Some Facts

• Established in 1993, administered by Christian Care Ministry.
• More than $1.1 billion shared.
• About 100,000 members.

Costs
There are seven different options for Medi-Share membership, ranging from a personal responsibility of $500 to $10,000. Similar to Christian Healthcare Ministries, monthly dues vary accordingly. Age is also an important factor in monthly costs.

There is an incentive to live a healthy lifestyle. Those who meet certain qualifications for lower blood pressure, waist measurements, and BMI are eligible to save up to 20% on their monthly sharing costs.

Seniors and Disability
Medi-Share offers a program for seniors on Medicare, with a personal responsibility of $1,250. A disability program called Manna can replace up to 80 percent of a disabled member’s lost income for up to one year.

Provider Fees
Members are always responsible for paying $35 for office and hospital visits and $135 for emergency room visits, even if their personal responsibility amount has been met.

Prescription Drugs
Limited to six months of treatment, prescription drug costs can be shared.

Paying for Care with Medi-Share
Christian Care Ministry reviews the bills to negotiate discounts and determine if they are eligible for sharing. If eligible, funds come directly from other members to pay for expenses.

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