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Kentucky Fried Health Plan
Perhaps the court would look more favorably upon the actions of a third player in this space, Christian Healthcare Ministries, "a Bible-based, voluntary medical cost-sharing ministry" out of Barberton, OH. CHM draws a clearer line between itself and insurers. It advises providers that "members are self-pay patients who should receive consideration for assistance programs and bill reductions."
Here's the twist: Some who oppose health reform—and health care coverage—on ideological grounds, and who have sought out these alternative programs precisely because they are NOT health plans, may find themselves members of a program now determined by a court to be... a health plan. It's a real conundrum. These folks are covered by a health plan, but against their will, while many others who desperately want and need coverage can't get it.
Cora Nucci is the Senior Online Editor for HealthLeaders Media. She can be reached at cnucci@hcpro.com.
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Comments are moderated. Please be patient.
Don Levit (9/15/2010 at 3:36 PM)
Cora: I think it would be great if these health sharing ministries could flourish. The law had a chance to encourage "real" competition with commercial insurers. Unfortunately, the only health-sharing miinistries that are exempted, are those already in existence, I believe, as of 1999. Don Levit