![]() In October, state Insurance Commissioner Andrew Mais put out an alert warning consumers of the risk of buying coverage through a health sharing ministry. But as the pandemic caused hundreds of thousands here to lose their jobs – and for many, their health insurance – that number could now be far higher. Last year, industry officials estimated that more than 5,000 state residents belonged to these organizations. Members make monthly contributions, with the assumption that the money will be pooled and shared as medical bills are submitted.īecause they are unregulated, there is no way to tell how many people in Connecticut have joined the ministries. The ministries offer cheaper rates because they are not considered to be insurance and are not required to pay claims. Many of the plans market themselves as lower-priced alternatives to policies that must meet tougher mandates under the Affordable Care Act, such as coverage for pre-existing conditions. A representative for the ministries estimated that 1.5 million people nationwide have signed up for their coverage. In recent years, more people have turned to health sharing ministries as the cost of medical care continues to increase. There is no protection under state law for people who sign up for these programs.” “I work with my counterparts in other states and when we see these entities, we try our best to advise consumers that they’re not insurance. “These have always been a concern,” said Gerard O’Sullivan, director of consumer affairs for the insurance department. That amount nearly doubled after COVID-19 spread through the state.Ĭ After not being satisfied with the coverage her ministry offers, Paloma Munoz has been looking for a traditional insurance policy that her family can afford. In a 10-month period from March to December 2020, the state Department of Insurance recorded 10 complaints of its own – nearly the same number it received over a two-year stretch before the pandemic.īetween January 2018 and February 2020, the insurance department fielded 11 grievances against ministries that market to Connecticut residents. ![]() Complaints against the companies were already on the rise in Connecticut, but they have accelerated since the pandemic hit. Munoz, who brought her concerns to a state legislator, is not the only person dissatisfied with a health care sharing ministry. But what can we do? At this point, I signed that contract.”Īlliance for Shared Health did not return a call seeking comment. “We feel like nobody’s looking out for us. When the ministry refused to cover it, Munoz was stuck with the bill. But Munoz was caught in an unusual situation: she gave the hospital her Alliance card, and the hospital billed the ministry for the test. COVID tests are free to those who don’t have health insurance and those that do. ![]() “Members place supreme importance on the pursuit of sharing in each other’s health care needs and the sharing of those expenses as it relates to those needs.”īut Munoz said her son’s coronavirus test was denied because it was considered an outpatient service – something her ministry doesn’t cover. If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile.Īs a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business.“Alliance for Shared Health members share a common set of deep-seated ethical and religious beliefs,” the company’s marketing materials say. BBB Business Profiles are subject to change at any time. When considering complaint information, please take into account the company's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints.īBB Business Profiles generally cover a three-year reporting period. However, BBB does not verify the accuracy of information provided by third parties, and does not guarantee the accuracy of any information in Business Profiles. BBB asks third parties who publish complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website to affirm that the information provided is accurate. BBB Business Profiles may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes.īBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment.
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