Samaritan Ministries

My hubby works for a non-profit and we had insurance through Samaritan for a year or two. This year they required us to purchase United and we were bummed. It’s costing us more $$! Hubby’s good friend is a lawyer very involved with Samaritan. He was actually active in helping get legislation passed to allow Samaritan to count as coverage under Obamacare(I believe initially it wouldn’t be considered coverage because not technically insurance).

We never needed to use it for anything. You pay your own Drs visits and anything under $300. They cover anything $300 or over. If there are multiple cheaper visits related to same incident that amount cumulatively to $300 plus they cover that too. Since we never had need to request $$ I can’t speak to that, but we have trust in the organization. When we had it they’d say coverage was at 80% or something and I’m not sure if that meant they only had funds to cover 80% of needs? A qu you might want to ask. But for $373 a month for a family we thought it was a great deal:)

Also, since this is technically not insurance, I wound call around and ask Drs what their cash discount is. I was going to leave my eye Dr. because another was way cheaper. They called right back and offered us $115 ea. per visit instead of $200! The dermatologist knocked off a similar amount. Our family Dr. gave 15% off. Hope that helps some:)

We are using SM and have been for 4 years now.  The family rate went up for the 1st time in 2 years to $405.(FYI)

The information about the dr visits is correct.  If the amount of $$ needed in a month out ways the $$ that is to come in per say they prorate it.  That is why the cost went up $30 a month.  With so many more people joining and the needs rising they had to have a vote from members (like me)  The vote passed.  

I have used the program to get some medical help for my son.  It was easy, they walked us through it step by step and all our needs, medical and prayer were meet.  I love sending my shares directly to a family.  We get to pray for there need.  That sounds confusing.  Basicly each night at dinner when we sit down to pray we look at our sheet and read who and why they need our prayers and ask for complete healing or for a healthy baby or what ever the need may be.  It’s wonderful to look at a map also and see where each person is that we are praying for.

It is ok under Obama care.  It is NOT medical insurance.  It can NOT be deducted from your taxes.  It is a share program.  There is a contract you have to sign and your priest/pastor etc needs to sign it.  This is done each year on your renewal.  On your renewal you send your share directly to SM for there work.  Every other 11 months it is sent to a person/family.  SM sends you all the information you need for the month.  All shares are to paid by the 15th of the month.

Hope that helps if you have more questions feel free to ask here or PM me.  We couldn’t afford healthcare of any sort with a family of 9 and a husband who is the only worker and self-employeed.  This has been a true test of faith and I’m happy we joined.

Misty

We also use Samaritan. We’ve been members for a year and had to use it once. Our youngest son fell and needed Xrays, as it appeared to possibly be broken. It ended up just needing a splint for some time and one follow up visit. We were able to get cash discounts with every company except one. The total cost was just over $1100. We were in a month that had to be prorated, so we did not get the full amount; however, since our doctors gave a discount, it balanced out (they take the balance off the $300 that would be from your pocket, so it worked out). We have one person from whom we haven’t received their share, so Samaritan is following up with them. To be honest, we don’t know what the policy is if that person does not fulfill their obligation, so we’re waiting to see what happens. 

Even with that, we are glad to have it and not be paying a huge amount for health insurance.

Lettuce – yes.  what I do is fill it all out and mail to him, call his secretary and say it’s on the way.  With a family of 9 it’s hard to miss us so it’s not like we have to go and talk with him yearly. LOL  So he gets the form all filled out with his section ready to just sign his name and I put the prepaid envelope in the manila one.  When he’s done they just send it off for me and it’s a done deal!  Not really that hard and then I’m not making an appointment to see him.  I try and keep it easy.  

There is another similar “company” to Samaritan Ministries clled Christian HealthCare Ministries, chministries.com.  I researched them when we were looking for new “insurance”.  Ultimately, SM seemed so much simpler – a family pays $405.  a retired couple pays $x, a single parent household pays $x.  For CHM, there were different levels of sharing.  A Gold level, a Bronze level, etc.  It seemed so much more confusing to figure out.  That was our main reason for going with Samarita Ministries.  Having seen the monthly mailings of both CHM and SM, there again SM’s are so much simpler.  The monthly mailing tells you in big bold print the name and address of the person to whom you’re sending your share, why, gives you a special prayer need that’s optional to give to.   Those are the only addresses on the front of the mailing.  On the back, they list more special prayer needs (again, optional giving).

For CHM, you had to find your member number and look across the line and see to whom you’d send your share.  A small thing, but really, do I need any more opportunities to make mistakes???

I just really like everything about SM.  When they consider raising the “premium” (monthly share), they take a vote – and every household is included in that.  So, a couple months ago, they considered it and we voted! We had a say, it’s not just the executive board who makes these decisions.

Another plus is that they’re doing moe things online.  So, I actually give to our special prayer need online – that way, it’s tax deductible.  You can also write a check to SM and send it in in order for the optional giving to be tax deductible, but doing it online saves a check and a stamp.  The normal monthly share is not tax deductible and must be done by check and snailmail to the person.

I’m repeating myself, but I REALLY like SM and have a good feeling about being part of that ministry.

Misty- thanks for answering my question!  I just need to get over it 😀 and have him sign when needed.  we go to a pretty small church, and are pretty close friends with our pastor… I just hate bugging him… and he used to sell insurance!  lol