Comments on: Samaritan Ministries: an alternative to health insurance

By: Caren

Caren — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 16:28:29 +0000

I have completely had it with insurance company greed. Or policy has gone up for the last time and Monday we will be starting the process to sign up with Samaritan.

By: Anne

Anne — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 03:26:34 +0000

Oops! Sorry! I posted before I had all the facts. WA state was resolved.

By: Anne

Anne — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 03:19:21 +0000

The WA State Insurance Commission has put out a Cease and Desist order on Samaritan Ministries Internation in May 2011.

By: kimc

kimc — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 02:55:09 +0000

Kathryn,
You do have to be Christian; in fact, you have to be a member in good standing, and your pastor has to verify that you attend at least 3 times/month.
There may be other similar sharing programs that are not Christian in nature, so keep looking if you think it might be a good solution for your household.

By: Kathryn

Kathryn — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 15:37:54 +0000

I have a question too–and maybe a silly one–do you have to be religious to participate? My husband and I are not Christian, and do have actual health insurance, but I would love to have home birth covered and this sounds like it could be a viable option for that, are there religious requirements, or any sort of faith statement to sign?

thanks!

By: Jackie

Jackie — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 03:51:07 +0000

The guy I spoke with did actually. I called because I was curious about how strict their eligibity guidelines were. My husband is a smoker. I know that until he really feels convicted about it, he’s not going to quit. But I wanted to ask just in case there were provisions for tobacco users. I didn’t actually think of the pregnancy question until after and you answered it! Thank you

By: kimc

kimc — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 02:12:28 +0000

Jackie,
Did they answer all your questions about childbirth? I’ve had homebirths with midwives and every penny has been provided for us by other Samaritan members.

By: Jackie

Jackie — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 15:01:28 +0000

I LOVE this website! I really love that the Exec. VP from Samaritan Ministries jumps in to answer questions directly I just got off the phone with Samaritan Ministries, and the gentleman who took my call was very helpful. My husband and I are uninsured at the moment and are exploring our options for some sort of medical coverage. The cost of traditional health insurance quotes has gone up over $100 in the last year alone for us, and we are both under 30 with no medical changes for us in the last year.
The biggest reason we are looking for coverage is to start a family! I was wondering if “non-standard” births are covered – having a midwife involved, water births, home births, etc. In looking at traditional health insurance, the optional maternity coverage uses the language “standard delivery including cesarean sections” are covered. Many of the hospitals in my area do offer the services of a midwife and I guess what I would consider “non-standard” delivery options.
I’m really grateful I stumbled across your website! Thank you!

By: kimc

kimc — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 23:43:29 +0000

Thank you, Mr. Lansberry. I was quietly hoping you would see this thread and jump in with an answer. I appreciate your dedication to Samaritan!

By: James Lansberry

James Lansberry — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 20:20:49 +0000

Glynn:

First, I’m not a tax professional, and don’t play one on TV. My understanding of gifts and taxes is that gifts are taxable only to the *giver* of the gift, and never to the receiver. The giver is only liable for taxes on gifts in excess of $13,000 (at least that’s the last figure I saw).

The monies received enabling members to pay their medical bills are not taxable. If any of our members were ever audited, and it was claimed they were, we would defend them in the audit. Up to this point, no IRS agent has been willing to claim these gifts were taxable income after we’ve pushed back.

Thanks for the question!

James Lansberry
Executive Vice President
Samaritan Ministries International