Release 3

2024 Program Updates

Updates to Samaritan programs are designed to help minimize Share increases and streamline processes for both members and staff. In this video, our Chief Purpose Officer Anthony Hopp describes the next group of updates and explains more about how these changes will help Samaritan best steward member share dollars.

Summary of updates coming November 1, 2024

Changes to maternity sharing in Classic

Maternity Needs have become the highest percentage of Need type shared. The reality of these rising health care costs has prompted us to more evenly balance the cost burden and make changes to the way maternity Needs in Classic are handled. For detailed information, please visit our webpage Changes to maternity Needs in Classic.

Reduced limit for the number of physical therapy sessions per Need

For any Need started on or after November 1, 2024, we are reducing the number of therapy sessions allowed per Need from 40 to 20. For detailed information, please visit our webpage New limit on physical therapy sessions.

New list of alternative treatments

For any Need started on or after November 1, 2024, we are implementing a list of specific alternative treatments approved for sharing. This will streamline processing and provide members with clarity about what will and will not be approved for sharing. For detailed information, please visit our webpage New alternative treatments list.

Sharing prescribed supplements only

Beginning with Needs started on or after November 1, 2024, we will share only those supplements that have been prescribed for a specific condition by a licensed medical provider and are filled at a pharmacy (not over-the-counter). These prescriptions will be subject to the standard 120-day prescription window. For detailed information, please visit our webpage No longer sharing over-the-counter supplements.

Frequently asked questions

As we evaluate how to best steward and support members’ ministry to one another, we turn to the Lord for guidance and wisdom. We are making these changes with a resolve to do what we believe ultimately will be best to serve all members.

The program changes are motivated by three main reasons:

  • The cost of medical care. We must revise the Guidelines to keep up with the changing landscape of medical cost changes, while also keeping Samaritan an affordable option for Christians who want to share burdens.
  • Member preferences. After conducting research with Samaritan members, we are responding to members’ feedback with solutions that will meet the most needs and provide the options most members want.
  • Greater ministry opportunity. Our mission is to enable Christians to minister to one another and to grow disciples for the glory of God. We want Samaritan to be the best option for Christian health care so that each member can have more ministry opportunities for their fellow believers.

We are blessed to support the ministry that all Samaritan members carry out toward one another daily, and we are grateful to God for His provision over the past 30 years. We trust that with the Lord’s help we can continue to serve one another for many more years to come.

While we cannot guarantee we will never prorate, we believe these changes will keep proration at a minimum. One goal of the changes is to make the sharing process as predictable and steady as possible.

Program updates that started in September

We previously announced other program updates that began September 1, 2024, including the lower co-share maximum in Basic and limited sharing for new members. We also announced new health resources administered by New Benefits, which will be available to members later in October 2024. For more information, please visit our webpage September/October 2024 Program Updates.

Program updates that started in August

We previously announced other program updates that began August 1, 2024, including an increase to the initial unshareable amount (IUA) in Classic, a Share increase, and age group changes for both programs. For more information, please visit our webpage August 2024 Program Updates.