# Does this Christian Health Plan practice religious discrimination? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 12, 2017, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-christian-health-plan-practice-religious-discrimination/804295 "2017-12-12T17:07:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-christian-health-plan-practice-religious-discrimination/804295/1 "2017-12-12T17:07:28Z")
I just heard an advert on the radio about a health plan for Christians called Medi-Share that not only helps out with expenses, but also prays for you. I went to [this website about Medi-Share(Affordable, Biblical Healthcare)](https://mychristiancare.org/weblead/PPC?mkwid=KEc0xuGA_dc&pcrid=73942194332857&pmt=be&pkw=MediShare&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=MediShare&utm_campaign=Bing%20-%20Brand%20-%20MediShare&leadsource=Internet-Search%20Engine&custentity_urlreferralid=Bing%20-%20Brand%20-%20MediShare&custentity_urlreferralid=MediShare&_vsrefdom=Bing-B), and some things stand out to me: 1. The lack of privacy. It says that members pray for and encourage each other. Also > [@](#): > > Each month, Christian Care Ministry publishes the bills eligible for sharing and coordinates the direct sharing of medical costs between members. Members contribute a monthly share amount that is matched with another member’s eligible medical bills. > > You can see whose bills you are paying, and your fellow believers will share and pray with you when you have eligible bills! 1. Whether or not your bills get paid, what you are covered for-that is determined by fellow Christians determining if what you want is righteous or not: > [@](#): > > Medi-Share members lead biblical lifestyles, and share dollars are never used to pay for procedures that are objectionable. 1. How do they determine if you are Christian enough for them, and are they allowed to kick out people not of their religious persuasion(whatever THAT may be)? As far as health insurance plans go, how legit is this? ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-christian-health-plan-practice-religious-discrimination/804295/2 "2017-12-12T17:12:34Z")
IANAL, but my understanding is that MediShare isn’t insurance - in fact, goes well out of its way to say that it is not insurance, and that it doesn’t fit the legal criteria/requirements for insurance - but rather, that it’s more akin to a voluntary crowdfunding GoFundMe thing where people voluntarily chip in money to cover other people’s expenses, and your own medical bills \*might \*be covered. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-christian-health-plan-practice-religious-discrimination/804295/3 "2017-12-12T17:15:48Z")
They do advertise themselves on the radio as a “Health Care Plan”, though. I can see how people can easily think it is equivalent to the others being offered out there. edited to add: > [@](#): > > Medi-Share members have a special provision in the law and are exempt from the requirement to purchase costly health insurance or face penalties! What special provision are they talking about? ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-christian-health-plan-practice-religious-discrimination/804295/4 "2017-12-12T17:28:56Z")
Commercialized religion! It’s Christian Medi-Share Rent-a-Prayer! ETA: Partnering with Chick-Fil-A! ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-christian-health-plan-practice-religious-discrimination/804295/5 "2017-12-12T17:41:21Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > They do advertise themselves on the radio as a “Health Care Plan”, though. I can see how people can easily think it is equivalent to the others being offered out there. > edited to add: What special provision are they talking about? It’s been awhile since I read the thing, but the ACA had provisions exempting members of certain religions, so maybe it falls under that. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-christian-health-plan-practice-religious-discrimination/804295/6 "2017-12-12T17:44:47Z")
The problem I see is that they are advertising this just days before the December 15th cutoff, and people that think they will be able to get this because they think themselves to be Christian will be stuck without insurance when this organization judges them not to be Christian enough. When you get to [the website that contains the guideline,](https://mychristiancare.org/medi-share/what-is-medishare/how-medi-share-works/medi-share-guidelines/) it looks like the Christian beliefs section alone may not be compatible with some Christian beliefs: > [@](#): > > Adult Members profess the following Statement of Faith to qualify for Medi-Share membership: > • I believe that there is only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4) eternally existing in three Persons: the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). I believe Jesus is God, in equal standing with the Father and the Holy Spirit (Colossians 1:15-20, 2:9). > • I believe the Bible is God’s written revelation to man and is verbally inspired, authoritative and without error (2 Timothy 3:16-17). > • I believe in the deity of Jesus Christ—who existed as God before anything was created (John 1:1), His virgin birth (Matthew 1:23), sinless life (Hebrews 4:15), miracles, death on the cross to provide for our redemption (1 Peter 2:24), bodily resurrection and ascension into heaven (1 Corinthians 15:3-8), present ministry of intercession for us (Hebrews 7:24-25) and His return to earth in power and glory (Matthew 24:30). He is the world’s only Savior and is the Lord of all (John 14:6, Acts 4:12, Isaiah 45:21-23). > • I believe in the personality and deity of the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3-4), that He performs the miracle of new birth in an unbeliever and indwells believers (1 Corinthians 3:16), enabling them to live a godly life (Romans 8:14). > • I believe man was created in the image of God, but because of sin was alienated from God. Alienation can be removed by accepting God’s gift of salvation by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-10) which was made possible by Christ’s death and resurrection. This faith will be evidenced by the works that we do ( James 2:17, 26). The other guidelines are just as stringent, if not moreso, and to top it all off " A church leader may be interviewed to verify their testimony." ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-christian-health-plan-practice-religious-discrimination/804295/7 "2017-12-12T17:52:01Z")
> [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](#): > > It’s been awhile since I read the thing, but the ACA had provisions exempting members of certain religions, so maybe it falls under that. It looks like there are provisions for this type of religious cost-sharing program, but you have to already be a member to be exempt from the ACA, and these ads are running _now_ with the cutoff date only three days away. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-christian-health-plan-practice-religious-discrimination/804295/8 "2017-12-12T19:01:27Z")
For what it’s worth, this is how the Amish approach medical “insurance.” They are exempt from the rules of the ACA and do not face a fine for not participating. > **[Sharing the Load: Amish Healthcare Financing](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5198134/)** > > When settling healthcare bills, the Old Order Amish of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania rely on an ethos of mutual aid, independent of the government. Consonant with this philosophy, many Amish do not participate in or receive benefits from Social... ---
**Author:** ![justanothermike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@justanothermike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justanothermike)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-christian-health-plan-practice-religious-discrimination/804295/9 "2017-12-12T21:01:04Z")
I jumped in on Liberty Health Share after the Obamacrap insurance raised my rates 60% over last year for a policy we’ve never used and that wouldn’t provide anything with $6500 deductibles per person being reached. I may not be much of a believer in God, but I like the mission of the group. If someone wants to pray for me and it makes them feel better that’s fine. There are guidelines but my wife and I live a “clean” life by their standards and have no preexisting conditions. I’m glad it exists. Lower payments, lower deductibles, and I feel like my money actually goes to people needing it, not just some company. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-christian-health-plan-practice-religious-discrimination/804295/10 "2017-12-12T22:18:23Z")
How do these share schemes avoid getting billed the ridiculous inflated “rack rate” medical bills that providers issue to self-pay patients, that are multiples of the pre-negotiated rates that insurance companies pay? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-christian-health-plan-practice-religious-discrimination/804295/11 "2017-12-12T22:38:30Z")
I’m not sure if I want people _who have never met me_ decide whether I am Christian enough and/or my medical problem is righteous enough to receive their money. ---
**Author:** ![justanothermike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@justanothermike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justanothermike)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-christian-health-plan-practice-religious-discrimination/804295/12 "2017-12-13T00:51:36Z")
@Riemann - From what I read they negotiate just like insurance companies and go for discounts because you’re essentially a cash payer. If nothing else, once you’ve done whatever procedure they want to get paid, and they know they have to deal with this company or go after you, so they play ball. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-christian-health-plan-practice-religious-discrimination/804295/13 "2017-12-13T18:58:15Z")
Sounds like a scam to me. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-christian-health-plan-practice-religious-discrimination/804295/14 "2017-12-14T14:15:53Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Sounds like a scam to me. Sounds like if it’s not a scam now, it could easily turn into one depending on who’s involved. By the way, I’m not sure anyone in my church would fit their “Minimum Christian Requirements”. Our pastors are certainly more skeptical than that… ---
**Author:** ![CelticKnot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/celticknot/32/3392_2.png) [@CelticKnot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CelticKnot)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2017, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-christian-health-plan-practice-religious-discrimination/804295/15 "2017-12-15T12:10:19Z")
The Constitution tells us we have the freedom of assembly. Do we not have the freedom of non-assembly? If you think Medi-Share is unfair, you don’t have to be a member. If you don’t share the Christian beliefs of the group, then find another provider. Medi-Share is not a business, but a ministry. At what point did it become reasonable to join a group when you disagree with the group’s purpose and expect to be able to force the group to change its mission and purpose? There are many stories of a student joining a Christian ministry at a university and then trying to force the group to change its Biblical foundation so this person can take a leadership role. The person doesn’t believe what the ministry says the Bible states about marriage and sexuality. If you don’t agree, why join at all, except to force your worldview on others? And yet that is what Christians are accused of all the time. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2017, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-christian-health-plan-practice-religious-discrimination/804295/16 "2017-12-15T12:42:55Z")
> [@CelticKnot](#): > > If you don’t agree, why join at all, except to force your worldview on others? And yet that is what Christians are accused of all the time. They are accused of that because that is the direct goal of some Christian sects. What disturbs me is that this right to drop out and organize a private health group seems to be limited to religious groups. If I and my friends want to do the same thing and drop out of the system, minus the religious aspect, can we do so? edited to add: Does this “right of non-assembly”, when it comes to the ACA, extend to those who _aren’t_ religious? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2017, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-christian-health-plan-practice-religious-discrimination/804295/17 "2017-12-15T13:02:13Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I’m not sure if I want people _who have never met me_ decide whether I am Christian enough and/or my medical problem is righteous enough to receive their money. Prayers sent your way! ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2017, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-christian-health-plan-practice-religious-discrimination/804295/18 "2017-12-15T13:06:05Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Prayers sent your way! And in return, I shall sacrifice a goat in your name. ---
**Author:** ![Razncain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9d8465/32.png) [@Razncain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Razncain)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2017, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-christian-health-plan-practice-religious-discrimination/804295/19 "2017-12-15T13:33:29Z")
Czar, I looked into this [six years ago.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=594360) I still doubt there are any loopholes for infidels. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2017, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-christian-health-plan-practice-religious-discrimination/804295/20 "2017-12-15T15:48:25Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > They are accused of that because that is the direct goal of some Christian sects. What disturbs me is that this right to drop out and organize a private health group seems to be limited to religious groups. If I and my friends want to do the same thing and drop out of the system, minus the religious aspect, can we do so? Of course you can. What would prevent you? Apparently, some people believe that no group activity can proceed without the blessing and sanction of some level of government. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-christian-health-plan-practice-religious-discrimination/804295.md?page=2)