Does anyone have any experience with medical cost sharing programs? We are looking at switching to one, our insurance is almost $1600 a month which includes $500 to our HSA, but the deductible is $6000 per person with a max out of pocket of $12,000 per family per year. The medical cost sharing programs we are looking at seem to be a way better value.
medical cost sharing programs
- Thread starter Clay Showalter
- Start date
Mickey Merrie
Junior Member
Mickey Merrie
Junior Member
By the way, Gold Level with Brother's Keeper is what I have. You will want to up your medical on your car insurance.
I've had 2 knee surgeries (scopes) and paid next to nothing after reimbursement.
I've had 2 knee surgeries (scopes) and paid next to nothing after reimbursement.
Thanks for the response and information, the TOO never fails. I am comparing several different plans.
Ohiosam
*Supporting Member*
Ask about the maximum benefit. When we were looking at them 6-8 years ago it was something like $500K. That’s what kept us from going that route. It sound like a lot but a serious illness could go through that pretty quick. That said I have several friends that use those kinds of plans and all are very happy.
Mickey Merrie
Junior Member
At Christian healthcare Ministries the Gold plan limit is $125,000 but when I add the Brothers Keeper to it for $22 more a month it goes to unlimited.
i pay the first $1,000, however any discounts I can get from providers reduces my cost! This isn't health insurance so I tell the providers I am a cash pay customer. Here is the reality. The law says everyone must be billed the same rate, yet insurance companies and government programs negotiate lower payments. We can too! If i negotiate a savings it reduces my $1,000 personal responsibility dollar for dollar. When I contact billing I ask for the medicaid negotiated rate, if they won't do that I then ask for the medicare negotiated rate. If they balk at that I ask them what can they do for me and that I want to set up a payment plan and begin immediately. Nearly every one of them have a discount rate they can give. I've almost never had to pay my personal responsibility amount thanks to discounts I've received from the different providers that bill on a typical procedure! $235 a month for the Gold plan and $22 more a month for the Unlimited Brothers Keeper with no gatekeeper prior authorization utilization review. I can go anywhere including right to a specialist without referral! In effect I have had, thanks to the negotiated discounts a cost sharing ministry benefit that crushes any health insurance out there, provided you can meet and live with their guidelines.
Did I mention that I am licensed to sell health insurance? I refer that business to chministries.org for those who can meet their guidelines, or to the Insurance Marketplace website (gov.) for those who can't or won't.
I have traveled to Barberton several times to meet with them and even tour their facility. It is in a renovated run down school they purchased and the houses in the neighborhood were renovated by them as well. Quality people and quality organization.
Dave Ramsey uses them for his family as well as his employees and their families.
I've been using them for about 25 years now. I've submitted close to a dozen different procedures in that time with excellent results. But it is again not an insurance contract but a mutual aid society if you will and you must trust your fellow members to step up. They always have.
Full disclosure: I am not affiliated with them other than being a member. On 9/1/23 I will no longer be a member as my Medicare and Supplement start as I turn age 65.