Samaritan Ministries Members Point to Ease of Access, the Freedom to Choose Providers, and Opportunities to Help Other Christians
December 15, 2021
PEORIA, Ill. — The Christmas season is well under way, and people are making lists about what to give and how to give. Another important list to consider is of the advantages enjoyed by members of Samaritan Ministries International (samaritanministries.org), one of the nation’s leading health care sharing ministries.
The enactment of the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare, in 2013, was promoted as a way to reduce increases in the cost of health care. Instead, the cost of health insurance nationwide has since doubled or even more.
“Many people have discovered that they can escape purchasing health insurance and instead get help meeting their families’ health care through health care sharing,” said Anthony Hopp, Samaritan Ministries’ chief purpose officer. “At Samaritan, there are no network restrictions, so our members have the freedom to choose the health care providers that are best for their families. Whether that doctor is next door, across town, across the nation or even in another country, the choice is up to the member. Receiving these advantages through an affordable, God-honoring and Biblical sharing ministry is a true blessing to thousands of Samaritan members every month.”
Here are seven of the top reasons that Samaritan members give for being part of this 27-year-old health care sharing ministry:
- Freedom to choose medical providers without network restrictions
Luana from California said, “I love that I can go wherever I want to for treatment without worrying about whether they are ‘in-network,’ or whether I got a referral or some pre-authorization. So, whether it’s an issue of conscience or superfluous red tape, I can be happily relieved!”
- Choice between Samaritan Classic or Samaritan Basic to fit families’ budgets
Samaritan Classic, the flagship program, is the perfect option for new and growing families. It offers robust maternity sharing and a low $400 initial unshared amount on each eligible need. Samaritan Basic is a lower-cost option that’s designed for those who prefer a lower monthly share amount than Classic. Basic offers many of the same features as Classic but has some restrictions on shareable amounts and maternity needs. Samaritan Classic’s monthly share has never exceeded $530 for a family of up to seven people or $555 for a family of eight or more.
“We are very grateful for this ministry,” wrote William and Katharine from Pennsylvania. “This past year, we have incurred more medical bills than our family has had in a long time. We take comfort in knowing they will be shared through Samaritan Ministries.”
- Evidence of God’s provision for Samaritan Ministries for over a quarter of a century
In the late 1980s, Samaritan Ministries founder Ted Pittenger began dreaming of starting a Biblical and affordable non-insurance health care sharing ministry for fellow Christians. By 1994, Samaritan Ministries International was sharing medical needs, and today more than a quarter of a million members can have confidence they are part of a ministry through which God has provided for 27 years. As they make major financial decisions regarding their health care, they also trust that their fellow Samaritan members will continue to be there in times of need.
- Living out biblical faith
Samaritan Ministries’ history and guidelines align with living out the Christian faith in dependence on God and are based on the Biblical instruction to “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2, ESV).
“I love helping others with their needs, and I appreciate not having to help pay for a service I don’t agree with, such as abortion (or) sexual orientation change,” says Joan from Arkansas.
Todd and Monica of California said, “For many years we paid so much for our medical insurance, including high monthly premiums, high annual deductibles and high office visits. We are a one-income family with a photography business. We were apprehensive about joining Samaritan because it was a faith walk. We ‘took the plunge’ a few years ago and it has been a blessing. To know that our money does not/will not go toward abortions, sex changes, etc., makes me very grateful.”
- Ease of access and online resources
Samaritan members have the option of sending and receiving shares electronically and have access to online resources that help them save money and interact with medical professionals.
“Because of the Samaritan Dashboard’s health resources, I was able to have a heart echo and chest X-ray for $275. What a savings!” says Eddye from Texas. “I try to shop around and save (Samaritan members) money. Thanks for keeping the members informed!”
- Connecting with a Biblical community
Samaritan members are connected with other members who lift them up by praying and sending notes of encouragement along with their financial shares.
“We love sharing with other Christian households and receiving notes of encouragement as well,” wrote Joel and Jeannie from Montana. “We are so blessed to be a part of Samaritan Ministries! Thank you, Jesus, and thank you Samaritan staff and fellow members!”
- Care and compassion from Christ-following members and staff
“Our youngest daughter, Sofia, dealt with a terrible illness, and the support letters that accompanied the checks brought us to tears,” say Spencer and Laura from Iowa. “The fact that our monthly shares go to a person in need as opposed to a corporation means the world to us. Praise God for this ministry!”
Samaritan Ministries serves 282,201 individuals from 85,402 member 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.
- Monthly shares are hundreds of dollars less per month than 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.
###
To interview a representative from Samaritan Ministries International, contact Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Beth Harrison, 610.584.1096, ext. 105, or Deborah Hamilton, ext. 102.