Christian Care Ministry

Christian Care Ministry is a not-for-profit organization based in Melbourne, Florida.[1] It was founded by Dr. E John Reinhold in 1993, as a division of the American Evangelistic Association (AEA), with the goal of providing what it calls "biblical healthcare solutions" for Christians.[2] The organization's main focus is their family healthcare program, Medi-Share, a medical bill sharing system based on principles from the Bible as outlined in Galatians 6:2.[3] Medi-Share's affordable healthcare plan, that is exempt from the mandate to purchase health insurance under the Individual Mandate of the Affordable Care Act, has attracted many consumers.[4] With a program membership population of 317,576 as of October 2017, Christian Care Ministry currently operates in all US states.[5] Since 1993, members of the organization have shared and discounted medical expenses amounting to more than $2.1 billion.[6] The common thread running through all of Christian Care Ministry's programs is the emphasis on a "healthy Biblical lifestyle". Christian Care Ministry is recognized by the American Heart Association as a Gold Level Fit-Friendly Company.[7] Along with Samaritan Ministries and Christian Healthcare Ministries, Christian Care Ministry represents one of the three largest Christian healthcare sharing ministries in the U.S.[8]

Christian Care Ministry, Inc.
Founded1993
FounderJohn Reinhold
TypeNon-Profit Christian Ministry
FocusChristianity, Healthcare, Wellness (alternative medicine)
Location
  • Melbourne, FL
OriginsActs 2:42-47
Area served
United States, with specific disclosures for IL, KS, KY, ME, MD, MO, PA, TX, WI, MT
ServicesMedi-Share, Manna
MethodHealth Coaching, Mission (Christianity), Prayer
Members
c. 300,000+
Key people
President & Chief Executive Officer, Scott E. Reddig, Chief Operating Officer, Chu Soh, Chief Financial Officer, Holly Carothers
Employees
500+
Websitehttp://www.mychristiancare.org

History

Christian Care Ministry began in 1993, when E. John Reinhold, a member of the AEA, decided to formalize the casual medical bill sharing process that existed among some of the association's membership. Working in his garage and home, Dr. Reinhold established guidelines for the sharing of members’ medical bills. That same year, he moved his family to Melbourne, Florida, where Christian Care Ministry is still based today.[9]

Healthcare Bill-Sharing Program

In order to participate in Christian Care Ministry's bill sharing program, members must be Christians who ascribe to the Statement of Faith and are active members of a church community.

Medi-Share

Medi-Share is the main focus of Christian Care Ministry, and has been the primary service of Christian Care Ministry since 1993. It is a Christian healthcare system of medical bill sharing. However, Medi-Share is not insurance, and not all medical conditions are eligible for sharing.[10] Participants pay an AHP (Annual Household Portion) toward their own medical costs; expenses beyond this are eligible for sharing among the ministry's membership. As of 2017, Medi-Share has grown to over 300,000 members who share millions of dollars annually to pay one another's medical bills.[11] The central theme of Christian Care Ministry is "connecting and equipping Christians to carry each other’s everyday burdens".[12] The guiding principles of Medi-Share are biblical and based on teachings found in the New Testament, particularly those found in Galatians 6:2, which states: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”[13]

Eligibility

Medi-Share allows members to help each other with medical bills, with the goal of providing a true example of Christian healthcare. However, Medi-Share is not insurance and does not guarantee that the medical costs of its members will be shared. Certain conditions are excluded, particularly those that arise from a lifestyle that does not meet the guidelines of the organization, such as drug or alcohol abuse, or extramarital sex.[14] Many members find that Medi-Share helps them meet their family healthcare needs at a significantly lower cost than health insurance.[15]

Legality

In 2002, Christian Care's Medi-Share bill-sharing program was challenged by some states’ insurance regulators due to its status as a Christian healthcare organization.[16] 43 states have inquired about the legality of the program, and in some cases legal action was taken.[17] A series of court cases in Kentucky resulted from the specific way in which Medi-Share processed members’ shares and disbursed payments.[18] Changes have since been made to the Medi-Share system to bring it into line with state regulations and to maintain the organization's non-insurance status. As of June 25, 2013, the court ruled that Medi-Share was allowed to operate in Kentucky.[19] Medi-Share operates legally in 50 states with state disclosures specific to Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin.[20]

Exemption from the Affordable Care Act Mandate

Medi-Share program membership numbers have seen an increase which may be related to the Individual Mandate of the Affordable Care Act, which initially required that all individuals in the U.S. have health insurance by 2014 or face tax penalties. This mandate has been since repealed federally, although it still stands in some states that have their own state healthcare exchange.[21] Medi-Share members, like those of other healthcare sharing organizations, are exempt from the Individual Mandate and are not required to purchase health insurance.[22] When healthcare reform was up for debate in 2010, public interest in faith based bill sharing programs like Medi-Share grew by 150 percent.[23] Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act Medi-Share membership rates have risen. Prior to passage of the ACA, annual membership grew at a rate of 10 percent per year.[24] Since the bill's passage, Medi-Share membership is up 15 percent per year.[25]

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References
  1. Henriques, Diana (October 20, 2006). "Ministry's Medical Program Is Not Regulated". The New York Times. Retrieved 2013-09-26.
  2. "History of the American Evangelistic Association". American Evangelistic Association.
  3. "Galatians 6:2". BibleGateway.
  4. "Affordable Care Tax Provisions". IRS.gov. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  5. "Disclosures". My Christian Care.
  6. "My Christian Care". Facebook.
  7. "Fit Friendly Companies Gold Award Recognition" (PDF). Start Walking Now. American Heart Association. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  8. Metcalf, Nancy. "Should we sign up for a 'health-care sharing ministry'?". Consumer Reports News. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  9. "Helping One Another: 15 Years of Sharing and Caring" (PDF). My Christian Care. Oct 2008. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  10. Sutherly, Ben (February 18, 2013). "Ministries step in for health-care coverage for uninsured". The Columbus Dispatch.
  11. Boodman, Sandra (25 October 2005). "Seeking Divine Protection". The Washington Post. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  12. "Medi-Share is..." My Christian Care. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  13. "Galatians 6:2". Bible Gateway.
  14. Andrews, Michelle (June 25, 2008). "A Christian Approach to Covering Healthcare". U.S. News and World Report. Retrieved 2013-09-26.
  15. Griffith, Wendy. "Medi-Share: A Bible-based Health Care Option". CBN News. The Christian Broadcasting Network. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  16. "Results from the Challenge By the Commonwealth of Kentucky" (PDF). AEA Ministry Spotlight. AEA Ministries. 2003. p. 3. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  17. Sloan, Rhonda (Sep 12, 2002). "Update regarding E. John Reinhold, American Evangelistic Association, Christian Care Ministry and Medi-Share Sept. 12, 2002" (PDF). Insurance.ky.gov. Kentucky. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 September 2010. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  18. Jasper, Kelly (Jan 2, 2012). "Christian health-care sharing grows in popularity". The Augusta Chronicle. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
  19. Mains, Brian (June 25, 2013). "Medi-Share, health insurance for Christians, returns to Kentucky". WCPO Digital. KY Post. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  20. "Disclosures". My Christian Care. Archived from the original on 2013-10-19. Retrieved 2013-09-26.
  21. Nazworth, Nap (Sep 20, 2013). "Christian Health Sharing Programs Exempt From 'Obamacare' See Rapid Growth". The Christian Post. Retrieved 2013-09-26.
  22. Rudavsky, Shari (July 8, 2012). "Health care sharing ministries offer insurance alternative". The Indianapolis Star. USA Today. Retrieved 2013-09-26.
  23. Brenoff, Ann (June 25, 2010). "Christian medical-bill sharing a growing trend". Daily Finance. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  24. Bissonnette, Zac (August 8, 2013). "Opting-out of Obamacare through medical-sharing ministries". CNBC.com. CNBC. Retrieved 2013-09-26.
  25. Williams, Rebecca (February 15, 2013). "Health care sharing ministries set to grow under Obamacare". Knox News. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
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