***NEWS RELEASE***

 

 

Samaritan Ministries’ Online Tools Enable Members to Be More Involved and Engaged in Their Health Care

Dash Service Gives Nearly a Quarter of a Million Members Freedom to Seek Fair Prices and Make Own Decisions on Their Care

 

PEORIA, Ill.—Millions of Americans see the control of their health care slipping away, whether through pricing, choices or decision-making.

But the nearly quarter of a million members of Samaritan Ministries International (samaritanministries.org), one of the largest health care sharing ministries in America, are finding increasing control of their health care through this God-honoring, affordable way to share medical burdens among a Biblical community.

“Members of Samaritan Ministries have the freedom to make their own decisions on where to go for care, and they can also seek to receive and pay fair prices—all through online tools,” said Anthony Hopp, Samaritan Ministries’ vice president of external relations. “We enable our 76,000 member households to accomplish their health care goals through an online Dashboard, which contains tools that allow them to be more involved and engaged with their health care. Through Dash, members can also submit their medical bills online, connect with other members, exchange tips about health issues or dealing with providers, get help resolving issues related to their Samaritan membership, see their monthly share assignments, pray for other members’ needs, read the Samaritan Ministries informative newsletter, record the shares they receive and more.”

Samaritan members appreciate Dash and report back to the ministry staff about its ease, accessibility and helpfulness.

• “I used the eDoc service on the Dashboard last week and I was highly satisfied with the results! I was able to get the antibiotics needed for my child, without a trip to town and dishing out a lot of cash. It was such a blessing! Thankful for the options available!”—Christina, Ohio
• “I have been so blessed by the online Dashboard. Being able to mark shares as received, view my submitted bills and submit bills online rather than via mail has been simpler, and I’m so thankful for the work you all have put in to set it up and tweak it as needed! I also love that there are links/apps to help us save money in prescriptions and procedures by comparing pharmacies/providers. I also appreciate the friendliness of the Samaritan staff whenever I make a phone call. You all are setting a godly testimony/example and it is a blessing to witness! We are saving money by participating in Samaritan rather than insurance! I thank God for this ministry!”—Natalie, Mississippi
• “I really appreciate the Health Resources app on the Dashboard. I’ve been using Healthcare Bluebook to look up prices for pregnancy ultrasounds, and it’s been so helpful to compare and have a list right in front of me. Thank you for making that available!”—Ryan and Alicia, Washington
• Unfortunately, we have experienced four different needs, and there are discouraging hurdles in our health care system. However, I appreciated the prayer support from staff and that I can go to any doctor I need, even out of state. Healthcare Bluebook on Dash was very helpful, as was Medibid. We are praying for the public policy efforts, for our lawmakers to allow greater use of HSAs and to recognize the value of health care sharing ministries.”—John and Diane, New Hampshire

Samaritan’s Dashboard also enables members to find quality providers with fair pricing for their medical visits through the Health Resources Center and Healthcare Blue Book. Additionally, Samaritan Ministries members are automatically enrolled in EnvisionRX, which is accepted at pharmacies across the nation. Members who utilize this discount resource can often save more than 50 percent on the cost of their prescriptions. Using EnvisionRX, members can compare prescription prices across multiple pharmacies to find the best discount.

“Used my EnvisionRX discount at a family pharmacy and got my cholesterol meds cheaper than when I had Blue Cross!” remarked Gayle from Kansas about the prescription card.

Dash also allows members to get free medical advice from licensed health care professionals, as well as find the best prices and most significant discounts for lab work and prescriptions in members’ local areas, saving them up to 70 percent. And through eDocAmerica, Samaritan members can order labs, see clearly marked pricing and pay online. Lab results are then reviewed by a physician and available for members online.

“I have to have my labs drawn twice a year,” shared Sheila of Iowa on Facebook. “The price quoted to me to have my labs drawn at my doctor’s office was $950 and that did not include the office visit! So I requested a list of the labs needed and was able to order them through the Samaritan website for around $425! I was able to set up my appointment at an independent lab. I was in and out of the lab within 15 minutes and had printable results two days later to take to my doctor. So grateful we chose to go with Samaritan Ministries!”

Perhaps the most personal aspect of the Dashboard is the Member Connect app, which gives members a wonderful way to participate in Biblical community. Through this online connection, members can pray for one another, exchange tips, talk about their own health care experiences and share advice. Ultimately, besides the connections and ease of use, the online Dash services help save Samaritan members money upfront, as well as save money for other Samaritan members if a shareable need is involved.

Each month, Samaritan Ministries’ 76,493 member households (248,442 individuals) pray and send notes, cards and monthly financial shares directly to other member families. In this way, Samaritan members share $26 million in medical needs each month through an effective, affordable and God-honoring ministry for Christian families.

In late 2017, Samaritan Ministries added a second membership level, Samaritan Basic, which offers a lower monthly share than the original Samaritan Classic, coupled with a higher initial unshared amount, giving both current and future members another option for choosing what they believe is best for their families—and their budgets. Monthly shares for Samaritan Basic start as low as $100 for one person, $200 for two people and $250 for a family of any size, depending on age. Some guidelines differ between Samaritan Basic and Samaritan Classic; contact Samaritan Ministries for details or visit this link.

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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