Health Care Sharing Ministry Members Have More Options

October 25, 2021

PEORIA, Ill. — Responses to COVID-19 have made life difficult in innumerable ways, from working to travelling to seeing family and loved ones. Naturally, one area of life that has been severely affected is health care.

People are forgoing medical care, citing inconvenience and inability to find a doctor who suits their needs and availability. Certain reports even state that doctors are shutting down their practices due to lack of patients, with some doctors commenting that patient visits are down nearly 15 percent.

While many Americans find it difficult to identify doctors who suit their needs, more families are searching for a solution to their health care struggles.

Samaritan Ministries International (Samaritan) understands this struggle and is able to help. Samaritan differs from health insurance in that there are no networks or restrictions—members can choose the physician that best suits their needs and availability.

“What sets Samaritan Ministries apart from health insurance is that members have the freedom to choose their own doctor or medical practice, not remain stuck with a network that they might not like,” said Anthony Hopp, chief purpose officer of Samaritan. “We believe in facilitating our members’ health care choices.”

Samaritan offers flexibility in choosing one’s own health care provider and gives members the tools to negotiate affordable prices.

“Members can use resources such as Healthcare Blue Book to evaluate and find the provider that suits their needs—members aren’t forced to choose a doctor that they don’t like or isn’t accessible,” Hopp said.

Many have written to share their experiences as members of Samaritan Ministries:

Todd and Beverly of Georgia said:

“We are so grateful for the support of Samaritan Ministries. When we first became members, we prayed for continued health in our household, and we took our health very seriously with a healthy diet and a daily commitment to exercise. We prayed for us not to have to go to the doctor and for our shares to be a blessing to others. It might sound crazy, but my four kids have not been sick in so many years! But we had a huge need arise with our daughters BOTH having knee surgeries in the last few years, and we experienced the overabundance of love and grace with shares coming our way. We are continually blown away by the Body of Christ, the professionalism of the staff at Samaritan Ministries, and the way God provides for our needs through this ministry. We cannot say thank you enough!”

Jeremy and Lynnae from New York wrote:

“Since we joined Samaritan eight years ago, we have had quite a number of medical bills. Time and time again we were blown away by the care and support of fellow Samaritan members. The notes of encouragement and prayers helped to carry us through some very difficult times. We have truly experienced the hands and feet of Jesus through this ministry. Thank you!”

Hector and Karen, who live in Texas, shared:

“Thank you, Samaritan Ministries! What a blessing you have been in our lives the past several years. It is so wonderful to not have to deal with insurance plan decisions, big decisions with few real choices, high premiums and deductibles. The newsletters are informative and anytime we need to call it is such a blessing. You are in our prayers. Praise Him!”

Samaritan Ministries currently serves 281,992 individuals from 85,457 households.

Unlike health insurance, Samaritan Ministries has no limited enrollment period. 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 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.
• The monthly share has never exceeded $530 for a family of up to seven people or $555 for a family of eight or more. This contrasts with the average cost of health insurance in 2020, which was $623 per month for an individual and $1,779 for a family.

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 26 years, Samaritan Ministries members have shared more than $3 billion in medical 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.  

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To interview a representative from Samaritan Ministries International, contact Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Beth Harrison, 610.584.1096, ext. 105, or Deborah Hamilton, ext. 102.