Why aren't more using a Christian Plan?

[Kelor]

Hello!

I've been lurking for some time, and still note that most avoid the Christian plans, and I can't figure out why?

Is it lack of understanding, preexisting conditions, or is there something I'm not picking up on?

Our goal is March 1 next year (Age 50 and 58), and one thing I'm concerned with is that my wife will need knee surgery at some point (due to over-exercising). My thought is to set enough aside for injections for a few years, and then transition back to a traditional medical plan when she decides to have the surgery.

What am I missing?

 

[travelover]

These plans have been discussed a number of times. You can do a search here to find old threads. Or we can rehash it all over again.

 

[Gallaher]

My wife and I use Samaritan. Cost about $540 a month for both of us. So far so good.
Both of us are healthy and believers.

 

[rodi]

Several of our members are using ministry based healthcare sharing programs. There are several threads... A quick search turned up a much longer list - but here are some of the threads.
http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/christian-healthcare-ministries-88039.html

http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/healthcare-ministries-and-selfpay-options-83112.html

http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/any-medi-share-users-out-there-89313.html

These threads explore some of the pros and cons of the programs.

 

[rodi]

Forgot to say....

Welcome Kelor! Thanks for de-lurking.

Please consider posting a bit about yourself in the "Hi I Am" subforum.

 

[Sunset]

Hello!

I've been lurking for some time, and still note that most avoid the Christian plans, and I can't figure out why?

Is it lack of understanding, preexisting conditions, or is there something I'm not picking up on?

Our goal is March 1 next year (Age 50 and 58), and one thing I'm concerned with is that my wife will need knee surgery at some point (due to over-exercising). My thought is to set enough aside for injections for a few years, and then transition back to a traditional medical plan when she decides to have the surgery.

What am I missing?

Welcome.

I think for various numbers of people they are not in it because: never heard of it. Not trusting that it's not simply a scam. Not being Christian. Concerned it's doomed to fail just when you need it.

I think for some and possibly you, the answer is buried in your own statements.

If you truly believed the Christian plans worked there would be zero need to transition back to a traditional plan for surgery.

 

[Sojourner]

I think for various numbers of people they are not in it because: never heard of it. Not trusting that it's not simply a scam. Not being Christian. Concerned it's doomed to fail just when you need it.

[...]

If you truly believed the Christian plans worked there would be zero need to transition back to a traditional plan for surgery.

+1

 

[Carpediem]

My thought is to set enough aside for injections for a few years, and then transition back to a traditional medical plan when she decides to have the surgery.

^ Is that because of the pre-existing conditions on the ministry plans?

My DW has knee issues also and will eventually need a TKR. I've considered Liberty Healthshare (and haven't completely ruled them out) but I know any knee procedures wouldn't be fully covered for the first 2 or 3 years.

 

[ERD50]

... I think for some and possibly you, the answer is buried in your own statements.

If you truly believed the Christian plans worked there would be zero need to transition back to a traditional plan for surgery.

^ Is that because of the pre-existing conditions on the ministry plans? ...

Hmm, so if I'm reading that right, OP wants to use the cheaper 'Christian' plan while he can, but then transition back to a standard plan, because the standard plan will accept this pre-existing condition?

Well, the standard plan is more expensive partially because it will accept a pre-existing condition. By using a cheaper plan in the interim, OP is pushing that cost onto others.

I'm not sure that's really the 'Christian' thing to do?

-ERD50

 

[Kelor]

All good points. Thank you for the response.

I've tried to encourage my wife to have the surgery done now, but she wants to wait. I just need to let that go.

I really have dug deep in the forums, and have been trying to use the "too good to be true" adage. I'll keep investigating as I have almost a year to go.

 

[MichaelB]

There's nothing wrong with moving between different health care plans. After all, there is a risk when coverage is less comprehensive. Changing plans is one characteristic of our health care system and people do it all the time. I would suggest the OP read the threads linked by Rodi and then read the fine print to understand the difference between the options under consideration. It often pays to be skeptical.

 

[mpeirce]

By using a cheaper plan in the interim, OP is pushing that cost onto others.

Generally, isn't the whole point of using government subsidized plans to "push that cost onto others"?

 

[ERD50]

Generally, isn't the whole point of using government subsidized plans to "push that cost onto others"?

Not necessarily. Some government plans (or others, like insurance in general), are a sharing/pooling of costs and risks. Some 'winners' and some 'losers', but you pay to put some caps on the risks.

-ERD50

 

[NoMoreJob]

So far so good.

This would be my primary reason for not using one (actually my wife's reason, I'm now on Medicare). My next sentence would be "what next?" I think there are too many questions about the long-term viability of these plans especially given the importance of health insurance.

We have some friends who gambled on short-term policies and recently lost when one needed surgery. They have now purchased more comprehensive traditional (and more expensive) policies. There are a few things that I won't consider skimping on and my health is right at the top of that list.

 

[Kelor]

That gets right to my main question. I'm looking and looking for scenario's where these plans have been a detriment, but I can't find one example yet.

Say for example one goes toes up, I don't think that would preclude you from buying a different policy immediately, would it? I also don't see how there's any personal liability if you are a member of one that collapses.

 

[flintnational]

Insurance companies have reserve and funding requirements. They are regulated and covered by State insurance pools (depending on the line of insurance). Accordingly, in most cases, the consumer has very little risk from default. As far as I know, none of this applies to the sharing arrangements.

 

[zinger1457]

This would be my primary reason for not using one (actually my wife's reason, I'm now on Medicare). My next sentence would be "what next?" I think there are too many questions about the long-term viability of these plans especially given the importance of health insurance.

Not sure what your definition of 'long term' is but health share ministries have been around for over 35 years. If I wasn't benefiting from ACA subsidies I would probably give them some serious consideration.

 

[Dtail]

Not sure what your definition of 'long term' is but health share ministries have been around for over 35 years. If I wasn't benefiting from ACA subsidies I would probably give them some serious consideration.

+1

 

[Amethyst]

Sorry for my ignorance, but could somebody please explain what is a "Christian plan"? I really only know of one, and that's the one that involves belief, salvation, and life-after-death. (Which is what I thought the thread would be about).

 

[brewer12345]

Insurance companies have reserve and funding requirements. They are regulated and covered by State insurance pools (depending on the line of insurance). Accordingly, in most cases, the consumer has very little risk from default. As far as I know, none of this applies to the sharing arrangements.

Ding, ding, ding! Give that avatar a cigar! We have a winner!

 

[MichaelB]

Sorry for my ignorance, but could somebody please explain what is a "Christian plan"? I really only know of one, and that's the one that involves belief, salvation, and life-after-death. (Which is what I thought the thread would be about).

Here's one example Christian Healthcare Ministries: Home

Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM) is an affordable, biblical, and compassionate faith-based healthcare cost solution for Christians in all 50 states and around the world.

An eligible option under the national healthcare law, CHM isn’t insurance, but is thousands of Christians uniting to share in paying each other's medical bills

 

[Carpediem]

Not sure what your definition of 'long term' is but health share ministries have been around for over 35 years. If I wasn't benefiting from ACA subsidies I would probably give them some serious consideration.

+2

 

[mexexpat]

I didn't know there was such a thing. I googled and found they will not cover contraception. [Mod edit]

 

[erkevin]

Read the Fine Print......."No Beer Allowed"
(alcohol and tobacco use is prohibited)

 

[athena53]

Read the Fine Print......."No Beer Allowed"
(alcohol and tobacco use is prohibited)

Oops. Dealbreaker. I know they accept only people who are serious about healthy lifestyles but I gotta have one vice! Isn't a BMI of 19.6 and 23% body fat good enough?

My biggest concern was that it's supported by donations. In theory if you get something serious, the community chips in and covers it. I think the donations are even tax-deductible. But, there's no obligation. If there's a shortfall I guess it's on the sick member. That's a risk I won't take.