October 2015 Next Wave Magazine

Page 20

“Most medical sharing groups are Christian organizations, run by or alongside Christian ministries. Common membership requirements include an agreement not to smoke, drink heavily, or use illicit drugs. Members must attend church regularly, and agree not to have sex outside of marriage.

kinds of illnesses. That causes claims to be lower, and lower claims mean smaller premiums.

AGING HEALTH COSTS Historically, older societies begin to have problems paying benefits as their membership ages. To offset these growing costs they have to impose additional assessments on existing members, and often they use agedbased rating rather than equal premiums for all their members. One of the challenges of the older groups is as their group ages their cost rise.

These requirements may sound strict, but James Lansberry, director of Samaritan Ministries says it is precisely these requirements, along with the nature of sharing groups that helps keeps prices low for the members.”25

One the benefits for members of younger groups like LifeShare; powered by Liberty Healthshare is lower costs and the prospects of stability and longevity. “Here is how healthcare-sharing works. When a participant receives a medical bill, he or she submits the bill to the organization. If the bill meets the eligibility requirements and the person’s

Those who seek to avoid the Affordable Healthcare Act (or Obamacare as it is often called), by using this exemption pledge not to drink to excess, take illegal drugs or have relations outside of traditional marriage. As is readily apparent, the pool of members, by living better lifestyles, is healthier and less susceptible to many 25

MEDICAL SHARING An Inexpensive Alternative to Health Insurance Written by Twila Brase. January 2010.

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