The fine / penalty in 2015 for not having health insurance goes up to $325 per person, or 2% of your income, whichever is higher. That is quite a bit more than last year’s $95 minimum penalty. As a result, families who can’t afford coverage (even with subsidies), those who don’t want to take subsidies or be forced onto Medicaid, or don’t want to pay for unnecessary and/or immoral coverage (like abortion) are turning more and more to other options. There are many ways to be exempt from the tax penalties, and I think the easiest one which also provides you with a tremendous safety net is joining a health care sharing ministry. Qualifying ministries are 100% exempt so joining one means you don’t pay the fine for the months of your membership.
The good news is you can join a health care ministry anytime during the year. There is no enrollment period, they are always available.
The healthcare law has helped some and hurt others. While I’m glad some people are getting the help they need, I think there was a better way, and I am saddened for those who are experiencing the shock of crazy premium prices and high deductibles; those who feel as though they are left with no options (that was our family for a time). I am thankful every day that these healthcare ministries exist and are exempt from the fines. It’s a God thing for sure. My relief at knowing we are protected from overwhelming expenses and can share in the needs of other Christians, while avoiding the financially crushing weight of health insurance premiums… well, my thankfulness is boundless.
I watch with fascination and joy as the enrollment climbs for these healthcare ministries. I rejoice that a Christian solution so logical and so supportive is being accepted by so many. I love that they are built on a foundation of Christ, it’s a rock in the sea of turmoil that is happening around the globe.
My husband and I love to tell others about Samaritan Ministries and the great solution it provides. It’s amazing all the different ways that conversation can come up. Since we are self employed people want to know what we’re doing and how we’re managing the expenses. It’s so great to tell them our solution is not expensive and makes us even more protected than we were before. People are curious, interested, and they are not turning away. There are some who aren’t aware of the limited enrollment times for insurance. They aren’t aware that without a qualifying event the insurance doors have closed until November 1st, 2015 (although a special period for anyone subject to the fine has now been opened from Mar 15-Apr 30). It’s so nice to tell them that they can join Samaritan anytime. With Samaritan there are no games, no random time periods, no broken websites, no lost data to worry about. Samaritan is simple, supportive, Christian, easy to understand, and their staff is quick to the phones and so happy to help. They have been everything I wanted my insurance to be, but wasn’t. I thank the Lord for leading us to this path.