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What
is Mutual sharing?
The biblical principle of mutual sharing forms the basis for
Medi-Share, bringing together Christians to share healthcare expenses. Medi-Share
members agree to faithfully send a specified "share" amount each month to take
care of their "share" of the eligible medical expenses of those members who
experience accidents, illness, or disease.
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How
is Medi-Share biblical?
In the early days of the Church, Christians took care of each
other as the Apostle Paul exhorted in Galatians 6:2. Mutual care was simply a
way of life. Christians continued to care for each other well into the
twentieth century, but after World War II, government programs and insurance
companies assumed the role previously played by the Church. As medical costs
soared, many churches found they lacked the resources to care for their
members. Many Christians have become frustrated with being forced to subsidize
ungodly lifestyles through health insurance programs. Christians view
not-for-profit ministries like Medi-Share as a way to reclaim their biblical
mandate to care and provide for their brothers and sisters in Christ.
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What
is the history of Medi-Share?
In
1993 Christian Care Ministry was organized offering
its members a formalized approach to sharing the Medi-Share programs. There
are now over 50,000 members participating.
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How
does Medi-Share serve as a ministry to the Christian community?
In addition to facilitating the sharing of Medi-Share
member medical expenses, Christian Care Ministry also addresses members' spiritual needs.
Members can post on the prayer chain available online and over the
phone 24 hours a day, and everyone is encouraged to access and pray for those
needs. A Chaplain is also available to counsel and pray with Members. The
Health Initiatives Department focuses on the physical condition of every
member, offering health counseling, education and resources. You won't find
this combination of physical, emotional and spiritual support with a health
insurance company!
Periodically, Medi-Share Members come together to support
various charitable efforts, most recently for tsunami and hurricane
relief. Members donated over $200,000 for those two catastrophic events
alone! MediShare members have been very generous in their giving and know
that they can trust CCM to distribute the money to charitable Christian
organizations on their behalf.
The sense of Christian community that Members experience with
Medi-Share as they "bear each other's burdens" (Galatians 6:2) sets this
ministry apart from health insurance and helps members keep their
eyes on what's really important, serving the Lord through service to others.
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What
kind of oversight is there at Medi-Share?
As a ministry outreach, Medi-Share is self-regulated by an
Administrative Board of Directors. The
Administrative Board of Directors is responsible for the policy decisions of the
ministry.
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Who
makes the rules for the Medi-Share program?
The Members make the rules! That's right. All members
have the opportunity to vote on how they wish to care for one another. The
Administrative Board of Directors review suggestions from Medi-Share members and
recommends changes to the Guidelines each year. Members can vote to expand what
medical needs will be shared, change member responsibilities, and otherwise
modify the program. This is one important reason why our members are so
satisfied with Medi-Share - they have a voice!
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Is my share payment tax deductible?
The Ministry's CPAs have told us that your share payment is not deductible for federal income tax purposes as a charitable donation or as a medical expense. Since there is the strong possibility that your medical expenses will get shared by another member, you cannot deduct your share as a charitable donation, even though Christian Care Ministry is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit ministry. And please keep in mind also, your share payment is not tax deductible as an insurance expense because Medi-Share is not insurance.
For state Income Tax Purposes, we are aware that the State of Missouri has allowed its citizens to deduct share payments as a result of HB 818, which became effective in August, 2007. Specifically, the law states:
Sec. 143.118. 1. For all taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2007, an individual taxpayer shall be allowed to subtract from the taxpayer's Missouri adjusted gross income to determine Missouri taxable income an amount equal to the amount which the taxpayer has paid during the taxable year as a member of a health care sharing ministry as defined in section 376.1750, RSMo, and shall only be deductible to the extent that such amounts are not deducted on the taxpayer's federal income tax return for that taxable year.
CCM is committed to working with other sharing ministries to encourage more states to adopt this type of tax policy, and recognize health care sharing ministries as non-insurance alternatives for their citizens.
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What if I make a donation to CCM, is that tax deductible?
We've got lots of supporters in the Christian community who think that the concept of biblical sharing is an important one. They choose to support Christian Care Ministry through donations, and those are tax deductible. Our members may also donate to the ministry above and beyond their monthly share, and that, too, is tax deductible.
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What
are the benefits of the Medi-Share program?
1. Good Stewardship
Many Medi-Share members are able to significantly cut their
annual medical expenses, leaving them with more of their income to support
their families and the Lord's work.
2.Members Are Not Subsidizing Unbiblical Lifestyles
Medi-Share members and their healthcare dollars do not
subsidize abortions, drug addictions, or any other unbiblical lifestyles that
inevitably lead to the premature destruction of the body, mind, and spirit.
3.Sharing With Brothers and Sisters in Christ
Knowing that a specific Christian individual will receive your
monthly sharing gift is very gratifying. Medi-Share members know that they are
truly making a difference in the life of a beloved brother or sister in Christ.
And, members receiving those gifts are greatly encouraged in their time of need
by prayer and by the cards and letters that members often send.
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Is Medi-Share Christian insurance?
No. Medi-Share is not insurance. Medi-Share is a program where Christians share each others medical expenses. Christian Care Ministry and the Medi-Share program are not registered or licensed by any insurance entity, nor are they required to be. CCM does not collect premiums, make promise of payment, or guarantee that your medical bills will be paid. Sharing of medical bills is completely voluntary.
What are some of the other advantages of Medi-Share Membership?
Members have access to a team of health professionals in the Health
Initiatives Department, including physicians and representatives from nursing, exercise
physiology, nutrition, and physical therapy. This department answers health related questions
and provides many options for achieving optimal health, fitness, and performance.
Another advantage of Medi-Share membership is a prescription discount card from "ScriptSave"
sent to every new member. Member savings averaged 20% in 2005, depending on the prescription
and pharmacy.
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To request more information about Medi-Share, please click here.
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