In the early 90's, my health insurance premiums were paid 100% by an employer. When Elijah and Allegra were born, Gayle and I had no out of pocket costs. ZERO Dollars! During the mid nineties, my employer made arrangements to pay 75% of the cost and I could make co-payments. In the late nineties, as the cost of insurance continued to rise, my employer adjusted the arrangement again and paid 60%. With the new millennium, we shared group rates at a 50/50 split and our society wanted me to share the cost of abortion, drug abuse, and homosexuality.
Then in 2005 God called me to walk away from the broker's desk, devote myself to prayer, serve the word and lead His people into financial freedom. So, one of the first things I did was calculate costs. Health care for a family of six was a major concern. The annual insurance premiums, while tax-deductible, would cost $960.60 per month. Ka-Ching! That's $11,527.20 to live healthy. If my family each went in for a well check up and a couple of dental visits during the year, our healthy living cost just increased $4,950...Ka-Ching! That's $16,477.20 per year. Let me re-phrase that in middle-class American month-to-month living expense talk: I'm gonna pay $1,373.10 every month for health care! That's base level, healthy living. Man, what about emergencies and medication?!?! So, there I sat in my home office, face buried in my hands, "Father, I believe you will supply all we require according to your weight in wealth through Jesus. Will you please give me wisdom how to pay these health care expenses?"
Sometime later (I don't recall if it was a day, a week, a month, or when...) an advertisement in a financial journal grabbed my attention, "ARE YOU PAYING TOO MUCH FOR HEALTH INSURANCE? Contact Christian Care Medi-Share, Affordable, Biblical Healthcare, a Ministry of The American Evangelistic Association." I did. I researched their website and ordered an information package. After reading that, I spoke with a few representatives, requested their financial statements and information on the board of directors. When my questions and concerns were thoroughly satisfied, we applied for membership. Gayle and I were interviewed for our medical history, released our health information and met the qualifications for membership. I paid my last $960.60 insurance premium in February and with confidence in God, we began our monthly sharing commitment. In March we sent $320 to help supplement the medical bills for several families who believe in Jesus Christ, the authority of Scripture, are involved in their local church, keep sex in marriage, abstain from tobacco, illegal drugs and abusing alcohol. Plus $10 a month supplements the income of a believer who became disabled and isn't able to work.
While the members do not pay for the cost of my psychotherapy with a Doctor of Psychology and Medical Doctor treatments for depression, our Father has covered those costs by other means. We've already had the opportunity for a test in trust. A couple of weeks ago, Elijah passed his bike to Malachi and Malachi gave his bike to Gabriel. Malachi was free-wheeling on
Comments
Thursday, April 5, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by StillHisGirl
We had seriously looked into that kind of "insurance" several years ago. I don't know if it is the same one or not, but sounds like it. It seemed to model the way believers took care of each other in the New Testament church. I was very impressed. I'm so glad to hear it is working for you! Loved Gayle's BOY post today.You must be so proud!
Cindy
Thursday, April 5, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Rachelle
Wow, that is so interesting! I've never heard of anything like that before. Here in Canada we just pay taxes through the nose for our "free" healthcare. As long as you don't mind waiting 3 months to see your doctor, it's all good. :-)
Friday, April 6, 2007 - <i>Untitled Comment</i>
Posted by EEEEMommy
You've alluded to your ministry a few times now, and I'm curious if you have a website or something. Or what exactly it is you do. I have one finance question that I wonder if you could assist me with. The only debt that my husband and I now have is our mortgage, and I've been hearing a lot about using a Line of Credit to accelerate paying off a mortgage (CMG, United First Federal, Let Your Mortgage Make You Rich). Do you know anything about that and whether it's legit or worth pursuing?
Edited by EEEEMommy on Friday, April 6, 2007 at 8:46 AM