Release 2
2024 Program Updates
In response to the survey results we received from more than 20,000 member households, as well as other member feedback, we are continuing to implement updates to Samaritan programs. In this video, Alyssa from our Membership Development team provides you with new information about updates coming later this fall, including member access to telemedicine and other health resources!
Summary of updates coming this fall
New health resources: telemedicine, discounts, and more
Coming this fall, you will have access to new health care savings resources administered by New Benefits, which will provide you with access to telemedicine, health care discounts, and more. For detailed information, please visit our webpage New Health Resources.
Lower maximum co-share in Samaritan™ Basic
In Basic we are lowering the maximum co-share amount on each non-maternity Need started on or after September 1, 2024, from $13,500 to $2,500. For detailed information, please visit our webpage Updates to Samaritan Basic.
New member sharing guidelines
For new members joining September 1, 2024, we are updating sharing guidelines to require new members to wait certain periods of time before bills for some conditions and treatments can be shared. For detailed information, please visit our webpage New Member Sharing.
Members in Basic will send Shares for two months each year to the Samaritan office
Members in Basic will send two Shares per year to the Samaritan office for administrative expenses. This allows us to continue providing members with high-quality service and expands our ministry opportunity. For detailed information, please visit our webpage Updates to Samaritan Basic.
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 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.