Samaritan Ministries members can usually have needs shared for alternative and complementary treatments typically not covered by health insurance

March 3, 2022

PEORIA, Ill. — Dissatisfied with overpriced health insurance that didn’t cover many treatments that he needed, a few years ago Dr. Eric Zielinski (“Dr. Z”) began searching for better health care solutions. He discovered Samaritan Ministries International.

Dr. Z is the author of the international bestselling books “The Healing Power of Essential Oils” and “The Essential Oils Diet,” executive producer of the documentary “The Hope for Breast Cancer,” and creator of the Essential Oils for Abundant Living Masterclass. With his wife, Sabrina (“Mama Z”), he founded NaturalLivingFamily.com in 2014, which has become the most visited website devoted to Bible health and non-branded essential oil education in the world.

The Zielinski’s were introduced to Samaritan through a friend whose wife had a breast cancer scare. The support the couple received through letters and cards sent by other members was so moving that Dr. Z decided to research it for himself and his family and decided it was what they wanted.

“You don’t get that support from the medical system or from health insurance,” Dr. Z says. “That’s why I don’t belong to insurance. You’re helping organize something that is impossible for any one person to do. It’s beautiful.”

Dr. Z also points out that discounts given by medical providers to cash-pay patients save Samaritan members money. He received a 60 percent discount for a son’s stitches right off the top because he paid with cash. Also, the Zielinskis paid very little with the birth of their fourth child, Bella.

“We need to have the mind of Christ, led by the Holy Spirit, to make these decisions for life,” Dr. Z. says. “This is so key to why I’m such a big proponent of Samaritan.”

At the time Dr. Z dedicated his life to following Jesus Christ in 2003, he was plagued by chronic addictions and other ailments. Though God immediately delivered him from his anxiety, depression and addictions, his health came back more gradually as he was inspired to learn about nutrition and natural remedies.

While he was earning a Doctor of Chiropractic degree, he wrote a series of public health reports on essential oils, studied aromatherapy and decided to take his health education to a broader audience online. His website now draws more than half a million visitors each month.

“I’m here to reach people for Christ and to educate people on Biblical health principles,” Dr. Z says. “I had no idea God would use oils as the tool to motivate them to change their lives for the better.”

“Dr. Z embodies the kind of unconventional thinking that is transforming health care,” says Anthony Hopp, vice president and chief purpose officer of Samaritan Ministries International. “Samaritan is pleased to offer our members the opportunity to seek alternative and complementary treatments, such as essential oils.”

Essential oils are a major part of alternative health care in the United States and around the world. More than $18.5 billion is spent on them worldwide, according to Grand View Research. Known as “the essential oil guy,” Dr. Zielinski doesn’t market or endorse any brand. He provides quality educational materials that use an evidence-based approach.

The cost of alternative and complementary treatments can usually be shared by Samaritan members when they are less invasive or less costly than proposed conventional treatments for illness or injury.

“If you have a licensed medical provider who is suggesting a particular path,” Hopp says, “it most likely will be shareable. SMI members can submit share requests regarding oils when prescribed by a licensed provider to treat a medical condition in limited amounts.”

Samaritan Ministries currently has a membership of 283,767 individuals from 85,450 households.

Unlike most health insurance, Samaritan Ministries has no limited enrollment period. Government exchange-based health insurance requires signups to occur only during open enrollment periods unless one qualifies for a special enrollment period due to a “life event,” such as losing coverage, getting married, moving, or having a baby.

Samaritan Ministries health care sharingoffers several additional advantages:

• No network restrictions. When medical care is needed, Samaritan members choose the health care provider, hospital, and pharmacy that work best for them.
• The direct-sharing approach allows members to not only help fellow believers with their medical financial needs but to pray for and connect with them on a regular basis.
• Monthly shares are hundreds of dollars less per month than traditional insurance.

Samaritan Ministries gives people of Biblical faith an effective, Bible-driven health care community in which approximately $30 million in medical needs is shared person to person every month. Over the past 27 years, Samaritan Ministries members have shared more than $3 billion in needs while also praying for and encouraging fellow members through personal notes, cards and letters.

Learn more about Samaritan Ministries International here; visit the Samaritan website at www.samaritanministries.org, or follow the ministry on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.  

###