The Top 5 Differences between MediShare and Samaritan Ministries International

The two largest healthcare sharing ministries (HCSMs) are MediShare and Samaritan Ministries International (SMI). We'll compare these alternative healthcare options using five important criteria, deciding which has the advantage for each.  

MediShare has Greater Price Flexibility

Monthly payments in MediShare range from roughly $30 to $800.  Monthly payments in SMI range from roughly $180 to $405.  Of course, you're getting different benefits depending on which HCSM you choose and which plan.  But one nice advantage to having lower-priced options is that if you are signing up to avoid the ObamaCare penalty, you can do that very inexpensively through MediShare (often for less than the 2016 penalty would be).

Advantage: MediShare

     

SMI has higher copays and lower deductibles

Technically this is inaccurate, as neither program is standard insurance with copays and deductibles.  But the two HCSMs function similarly to insurance with different structures.  In MediShare, different plans have different deductibles (called an annual household portion), and the copay (called a provider payment) is always $35 for doctor/hospital visits, and $135 for emergency room visits.  In SMI, you pay a flat $300 per visit, and the rest (up to $250,000) is covered.  This is like having no deductible and a $300 copay.

Either of these types of plans could be better depending on your particular situation.

Advantage: None.

Bills are Sent Directly to MediShare

If you belong to SMI, you must send in your medical bills yourself.  Whereas your health care provider sends the bills directly to MediShare for processing.

Advantage: MediShare

SMI has no Out-of-Network Penalties

MediShare has a large network, but if you want to see a doctor outside of that network, you must pay a fee to do so.  With SMI, there is no network and you can see any doctor without penalty.

Advantage: SMI

MediShare has no Maximum Amount for a Claim

MediShare has no maximum amount per claim, whereas the maximum is $250,000 for SMI -- above that you have to pay yourself.  So with SMI, this could leave you open to a very large bill in the event of catastrophe.

Advantage: MediShare



So which is the better HCSM overall?  I believe the answer is MediShare, but only you can judge for yourself and your family.  

Which HCSM do you belong to, and are you happy with them?