What is a health care sharing ministry?
A health care sharing ministry (HCSM) provides a health care cost sharing arrangement among persons of similar and sincerely held beliefs. HCSMs are not-for-profit religious organization acting as a clearinghouse for those who have medical expenses and those who desire to share the burden of those medical expenses. These organizations are known as health care sharing ministries (HCSM).
- HCSMs receive no funding or grants from government sources.
- HCSMs are not insurance companies. HCSM do not assume any risk or guarantee the payment of any medical bill. Ten states have explicitly recognized this and specifically exempt HCSMs from their insurance codes.1
- HCSMs serve more than 100,000 members, with members in all fifty states.
- HCSMs’ members share more than $60 million per year for one another’s health care costs.
- HCSMs strive to be accessible to members regardless of their income, because traditionally shares are a fraction of the cost of insurance rates.
History
In our nation’s past, our forefathers were quite familiar with bearing one another’s burdens. Mutual aid was a foundation of social welfare in the United States. Today, our mentality has moved far from that of our ancestors. We still have the mandate to bear one another’s burdens, but we hardly know what that means anymore. If an emergency medical problem arises, the government or the insurance company takes care of it, and our friends, relatives and neighbors have little participation in restoring us to our former state. We don’t think we need each other in the way we used to. HCSMs provide an opportunity where Christians can minister to the body of Christ while being thrifty with their money, and without ignoring their own medical needs. Medical need sharing ministries have grown in popularity and success ever since the Old Order Amish Church Fund began the modern-era of burden-bearing during the 1960’s. Today, members from a broad spectrum of Christian denominations support each other’s medical needs across all fifty states and around the world.
Biblical basis
A need sharing ministry is founded on the biblical mandate of believers to share each other’s needs. Our goal is to apply Galatians 6:2, “Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ” to the ever-rising medical costs which can be quite burdensome for anyone, single or married, young or old. It is a principle that has been around since the birth and growth of the early Church. The book of Acts reports, “All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need," (Acts 2:44-45). These Christians are making a decision to be there for their neighbor in need and bring glory to God in the process of sharing.
How it works
The member ministries of the Alliance publish and distribute a monthly publication to a group of committed Christian members who have offered to give a certain amount each month. This money is shared among the members to assist those with medical bills. The publication lists the current needs of its members and shows who the payment is to help that particular month. This brings Christians together to share medical bills with one another. The key is that medical needs are shared among members. The personal approach of need sharing ministries facilitates Christians to bear one another’s burdens in a very tangible way. Biblical principles are foundational to health care sharing ministries and the members treat each other with respect, prayer, and genuine care.
Testimony from a member
We are amazed at the care and generosity of God’s people! We received over 200 cards and gifts from those who felt led by the Holy Spirit to help bear our financial burden! I now share with others as much as possible about this incredible ministry. We often found ourselves in tears as we read the meaningful notes of agape love and encouragement.
Michael and Mary Suitter
Hayden, ID
1Iowa Section 505.22, Kansas Section 40-202, Kentucky Revised Statute 304.1-120 (7), Maryland Article 48 Insurance Code Section 1-202(4), Missouri Section 376.1750, Oklahoma Statutes Citationized Title 36 Section110-11, Pennsylvania 40 Penn. Statute Section 23(b), Utah Section 31 A-1-103(3)(c), Virginia 38.2-6300 and 38.2-6301, Wisconsin Statute 600.01 (1) (b) 9.