What is Mutual sharing?
How does sharing occur?
How is Medi-Share biblical?
What is the history of Medi-Share?
How does Medi-Share serve as a ministry to the Christian community?
What kind of oversight is there at Medi-Share?
Who makes the rules at Medi-Share?
Is my share payment tax deductible?
What if I make a donation to CCM, is that tax deductible?
What are the benefits of Medi-Share?
Is Medi-Share Christian insurance?
What are some of the other advantages of Medi-Share Membership?
What is an Annual Household Portion (AHP)?
How do I “meet” my annual household portion?
What is the health discount?
How can I apply for the health discount?
If I have the health discount, does it automatically renew each year?
What is the provider fee and why is it necessary?
Besides the provider fee, should I pay anything up front at the time of my visit if I have not met my AHP?
What if I want to switch levels after I become a member?
If I am 29 with a $500 AHP what happens when I turn 30?
Are there maternity provisions?
What if I want to adopt a child? Are there any provisions for adoption?
What about routine care?
The biblical principle of mutual sharing forms the basis for Medi-Share, bringing together Christians to share healthcare expenses. Medi-Share members contribute a monthly amount called a "share." These shares are the funds which satisfy their “share” of of eligible member healthcare expenses, as well as operating costs.
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Every member household has an individual account with our partner, America’s Christian Credit Union (ACCU), used for the sole purpose of sharing. The monthly shares are deposited in the individual ACCU account, bringing financial integrity and security to the sharing process. Each month, CCM matches up members’ monthly share amounts with other members’ eligible medical needs and transfers funds between accounts to facilitate sharing.
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In the early days of the Church, Christians took care of each other. And do not foget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:16 Mutual care was simply a way of life. Christians continued to care for each other well into the twentieth century, but after World War II, government programs and insurance companies assumed the role previously played by the Church. As medical costs soared, many churches found they lacked the resources to care for their members. Many Christians have become frustrated with being forced to subsidize ungodly lifestyles through health insurance programs. Christians view not-for-profit ministries like Medi-Share as a way to reclaim their biblical mandate to care and provide for their brothers and sisters in Christ.
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In 1993 Christian Care Ministry was organized offering its members a formalized approach to sharing-- the Medi-Share programs. In 15 years, over $333,000,000 in medical needs have been shared among the members.
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In addition to facilitating the sharing of medical expenses among Medi-Share members, Christian Care Ministry also addresses members' spiritual needs. Members can post medical health needs on the online prayer chain and everyone is encouraged to access and pray for those needs. A Chaplain is also available to counsel and pray with members. The Health Initiatives Department focuses on the physical condition of every member, offering health counseling, education and resources.
Medi-Share members have also come together to support each other during times of natural disaster. A disaster relief fund is in place to assist members who have been impacted.
The sense of Christian community that members experience with Medi-Share as they "bear each other's burdens" (Galatians 6:2) sets this ministry apart from health insurance and helps members keep their eyes on what's really important, serving the Lord through service to others.
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As a ministry outreach, Medi-Share is self-regulated by a Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is responsible for the policy decisions of the ministry.
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The Members make the rules! That's right. All members have the opportunity to vote on how they wish to care for one another. The Board of Directors review suggestions from Medi-Share members and recommends changes to the Guidelines each year. Members can vote to expand what medical needs will be shared, change member responsibilities, and otherwise modify the program. This is one important reason why our members are so satisfied with Medi-Share - they have a voice!
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The Ministry's CPAs have told us that 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. And please keep in mind also, your share payment is not tax deductible as an insurance expense because Medi-Share is not insurance.
For state Income Tax Purposes, we are aware that the State of Missouri has allowed its citizens to deduct share payments as a result of HB 818, which became effective in August, 2007. Specifically, the law states:
Sec. 143.118. 1. For all taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2007, an individual taxpayer shall be allowed to subtract from the taxpayer's Missouri adjusted gross income to determine Missouri taxable income an amount equal to the amount which the taxpayer has paid during the taxable year as a member of a health care sharing ministry as defined in section 376.1750, RSMo, and shall only be deductible to the extent that such amounts are not deducted on the taxpayer's federal income tax return for that taxable year.
CCM is committed to working with other sharing ministries to encourage more states to adopt this type of tax policy, and recognize health care sharing ministries as non-insurance alternatives for their citizens.
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We've got lots of supporters in the Christian community who think that the concept of biblical sharing is an important one. They choose to support Christian Care Ministry through donations, and those are tax deductible. Our members may also donate to the ministry above and beyond their monthly share, and that, too, is tax deductible.
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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. Members Are Not Subsidizing Unbiblical Lifestyles
Medi-Share members and their dollars do not subsidize abortions, drug addictions, or any other unbiblical lifestyles that inevitably lead to the premature destruction of the body, mind, and spirit.
3. Sharing With Brothers and Sisters in Christ
Knowing that a specific Christian individual 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 beloved brother or sister in Christ. And, members receiving those gifts are greatly encouraged in their time of need by prayer and by the cards and letters that members often send.
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No. Medi-Share is not insurance. Medi-Share is a program where Christians share each other’s medical expenses. Christian Care Ministry and the Medi-Share program are not registered or licensed by any insurance entity, nor are they required to be. CCM does not collect premiums, make promise of payment, or guarantee that your medical bills will be paid. Sharing of medical bills is completely voluntary.
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Members have access to a team of health professionals in the Health Initiatives Department, including physicians and representatives from nursing, exercise physiology, nutrition, and physical therapy. This department answers health related questions and provides many options for achieving optimal health, fitness, and performance.
Another advantage of Medi-Share membership is a prescription discount card from "ScriptSave" sent to every new member.
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The annual amount of eligible medical bills that a household must meet before eligible medical bills will be published for sharing. There are seven portions to choose from:
$500, $1250, $2500, $3750, $5000, $7500, $10,000 (Note: the $500 AHP is only available for members ages 18-29 applying for a single membership)
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How do I “meet” my annual household portion?
Every time you visit a medical provider, you will present your member card and 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 published for sharing.
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What is the health discount?
A member household may qualify for up to a 20% discount of the monthly share amount if all adult members meet specified health criteria, including HbA1c level, Body Mass Index (BMI) and weight/waist measurement. Members must obtain, at their expense, certified testing to document their results and annually thereafter to qualify. Members must also complete a health-risk survey and commit to a healthy lifestyle.
Adult children age 18-23 are not required to qualify for the household to receive their discount.
http://medi-share.org/health_discount.aspx
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How can I apply for the health discount?
Once you become a member, you can complete the Health Discount Application, which includes testing instructions. All three elements of the qualifying, including HbA1c level, BMI and weight/waist measurement, must be completed within 90 days of each other. Once the results are received, you will be notified if you meet the criteria for up to a 20% discount. To see the amount of the discount visit our Share Amounts page.
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No. Within 90 days prior to your effective date, you (and your spouse if applicable) must submit new certified test results. At that time, your information will be reviewed to determine if you still qualify to receive the health discount.
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What is the provider fee and why is it necessary?
The provider fee is $35 for office and hospital visits and $135 for emergency room visits. This is the amount that a member must pay at each visit to a medical provider, which applies even after the annual household portion has been met. Please note that this does not apply toward the annual household portion.
If a member goes to the emergency room and is then admitted to the hospital will only pay the $35 hospital visit fee, not the $135 emergency room fee.
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Besides the provider fee, should I pay anything up front at the time of my visit if I have not met my AHP?
No. Even if you know you have not met your AHP, you should have the providers submit the bills to CCM for discounting and 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).
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What if I want to switch my AHP after I become a member?
Members must apply in writing to switch Annual Household Portion (AHP). All members in a member 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 below:
Starting AHP |
Switching to a new AHP
| When can a member switch? | When does sharing at the new AHP begin? |
$500 | $1,250, $2,500, $3,750, $5,000, $7,500, $10,000 | Anytime (unless pregnant) | First day of the following month if approved by the 7th of the month, otherwise, the first day of the second full month. Example. If approved 3/7 then effective 4/1. If approved 3/8 then effective 5/1. |
$1,250 | $2,500, $3,750, $5,000, $7,500, $10,000 |
$2,500 | $3,750, $5,000, $7,500, $10,000 |
$3,750 | $5,000, $7,500, $10,000 |
$5,000 | $7,500, $10,000 |
$7,500 | $10,000 |
$1,250
|
$500* |
Anytime after six months from the last AHP switch or effective date (unless pregnant)
Note: AHP can only be changed in increments as shown to the left—no more than $2,500. |
1st day of the 4th calendar month after approval. If approved in March the effective date is July 1. |
$2,500 | $1,250, $500* |
$3,750 | $2,500, $1,250 |
$5,000 | $3,750, $2,500 |
$7,500 | $5,000 |
$10,000 | $7,500 |
*Only members age 18-29 applying for a single membership can qualify for a $500 AHP.
Bills will be processed according to the AHP that was in effect the date the bills were incurred. Please note that any change in the AHP causes the AHP to reset.
For example: On March 30th you are an active member with a $2,500 AHP and you have incurred $1,000 towards your AHP and are approved for a switch to a lower AHP. On July1st your AHP switch becomes effective. The amount incurred towards your AHP on July 1st resets to $0.
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If I am 29 with a $500 AHP what happens when I turn 30?
Your AHP will automatically be increased to the $1,250 AHP and your next monthly share statement will reflect the new share amount, with no fee or waiting period applied. However, if you would like to select a higher AHP or if you are no longer on the single program, you will need to complete a switch form, and there will be switch fee and waiting period, based on the switch guidelines, and your AHP will reset.
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Are there maternity provisions?
Yes. Use the chart below to determine the amount of the eligible medical bills per pregnancy that will be shareable after the Annual Household Portion (AHP) has been met and the Additional Member Portion (AMP) has been paid.
Annual Household Portion | Additional Member Portion (AMP) for Non-C-Section | Sharing Limit per Non-C-Section |
$500 | N/A | N/A |
$1,250 | $500 | $8,500 |
$2,500 | $500 | $7,000 |
$3,750 | $500 | $5,500 |
$5,000 | $500 | $4,000 |
$7,500 | $500 | $2,500 |
$10,000 | $500 | $1,000 |
If a cesarean section is performed, there is an additional member portion and a maximum amount shareable for the entire pregnancy, after the AHP has been met as shown in the chart below:
Annual Household Portion (AHP) | Additional Member Portion (AMP) for C-Section | Sharing Limit for C-Section |
$500 | N/A | N/A |
$1,250 | $1,500 | $25,500 |
$2,500 | $1,500 | $20,500 |
$3,750 | $1,500 | $18,000 |
$5,000 | $1,500 | $15,500 |
$7,500 | $1,500 | $10,500 |
$10,000 | $1,500 | $5,500 |
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What if I want to adopt a child? Are there any provisions for adoption?
Up to two adoption events can be shared per member household. Sharing is limited to the amounts in the chart below, however, the AHP does not have to be met for sharing to occur. The adopted child(ren) cannot be related to the member or spouse by blood or marriage. The first event is eligible only after the member has shared faithfully at a level set for two or more persons for 24 continuous months prior to the adoption becoming final; the second event is eligible only after a minimum of 12 additional months of like faithful sharing.
| AHP |
Adoption Sharing Limit |
| 500 |
N/A |
| 1250 |
$4,600 |
| 2500 |
$4,100 |
| 3750 |
$3,600 |
| 5000 |
$3,100 |
| 7500 |
$2,100 |
| 10000 |
$1,100 |
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What about routine care?
Routine care is not an eligible expense for sharing. However, members may still benefit from the provider discounts available by using “in-network” providers and should have their providers submit their bills to CCM. CCM is currently exploring ways to address routine and preventative care in the future.
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