***NEWS RELEASE***
Health Care Sharing—An Affordable Option for Couples, Families, Self-Employed and Retirees
Samaritan Ministries Offers Christians a Non-Insurance Option, as the End of Open Enrollment Comes
PEORIA, Ill.—In just over 10 days, the open enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act will end in some states. While the health care landscape in America remains in flux, health care sharing offers an affordable and uplifting option for couples, young families, self-employed individuals and even retirees.
Samaritan Ministries International (samaritanministries.org), one of the leading health care sharing ministries in America, has remained steadfast in its mission for 23 years—to enable Christians to help one another with their health care needs, as the Bible instructs in Galatians 6:2.
“As many Americans ask questions about the future of their health care in this open enrollment period, staff and members of Samaritan Ministries are affirming that health care sharing can work for a variety of people,” said Anthony Hopp, Samaritan’s vice president of external relations. “Individuals, couples and families of all sizes can save hundreds of dollars every month through health care sharing—and without a high deductible structure. Retirees who may be on Medicare have found that Samaritan Ministries works beautifully for them as well. And with the introduction of the new Samaritan Basic model, these costs can be even lower.”
Likewise, Hopp noted, Samaritan Ministries recently announced that the December share amount will be 5 percent lower than usual for all members—welcome news when health insurance premiums are sky-rocketing around the country.
Couples, families, the self-employed and retirees often write to Samaritan with testimonials of their positive experiences:
- Regina of Texas wrote about the medical needs for her and her husband: “What I find very touching is how the representatives pray with you when you call about your need. One time I called to start a need and (said) that I felt kind of guilty about starting a new need since we had just started one for my husband’s surgery. The (staff) I talked to told me not to feel bad because that is what they are there for, that the members enjoy blessing us, and then he prayed with me that I would feel better about submitting the need. I hung up with tears of joy running down my face.”
- Paul and Stacey in Alaska have relied on their fellow Samaritan members for their growing family: “With the addition of Halee to our family, our appreciation for Samaritan Ministries (is significant). With over $130,000 worth of medical bills, it seems like a miracle that they are paid for entirely by God’s people. Thank you for keeping this ministry moving forward.”
- Rusty from Arizona and his wife own a home medical supply company and found that Medicare was covering less and less. “While we’ve only had to apply for one ‘need’ through Samaritan Ministries, my surgery was shared 100 percent, not to mention (that) my shares are going to other families in need and not a huge insurance company. When you start receiving get-well cards and notes from people you have never met, the entire process has a whole new meaning. Love it.”
- Ann from California wrote that she and her husband are empty-nesters and have been Samaritan members for about five years. “We haven’t submitted a need yet and feel thankful for our good health. We know Samaritan Ministries families will be there for us when we do have needs, but in the meantime, we are happy to help out others. The heart of the ministry seems brim full of integrity.”
Samaritan Ministries’ new membership level, Samaritan Basic, offers a lower monthly share amount coupled with a higher initial unshared amount, giving both current and potential members another way to make the best health care sharing choice for their families—and their budgets.
Monthly shares for Samaritan Basic are determined by age and household size and start as low as $100 for one person, $200 for two people and $250 for a family of any size. Some guidelines differ between Samaritan Basic and Samaritan Classic; contact Samaritan Ministries for details or visit this link.
Each month, more than 70,000 member households like these—231,000-plus individuals—send monthly financial shares directly to other families, along with notes and cards of encouragement and prayers. In this way, Samaritan members share $25 million in medical needs each month through a viable, affordable and God-honoring ministry for Christian families.
All members, however, regardless of their membership level, are part of the same Biblical community that will “bear one another’s burdens” as the Bible instructs in Galatians 6:2. All members will still receive shares directly from other members, along with notes of encouragement and prayers.
Learn more about Samaritan Ministries International here; visit the Samaritan website at www.samaritanministries.org, or follow the ministry on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
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