Guidelines for Sharing in Classic/Basic

If you choose to switch your membership level, all needs will be "archived," meaning you would no longer be able to add more bills to that need number after switching, no matter the date of service. Once your membership level is switched, your new monthly share will be effective for the next monthly share assigned.

Example: If your membership level is switched on August 28, your new monthly share will be effective for the October share. The September share was already assigned at your previous monthly share rate.

Review points A and B below for details on how each switch in levels would affect your membership.

A. Switching from Samaritan Classic to Samaritan Basic

1. Any bills received at the SMI office after the day of the switch will be shared under the Samaritan Basic Guidelines, even though the need was started under the Samaritan Classic Guidelines.
2. If a bill is received after the switch date for a need that started under Samaritan Classic, a new need will have to be started with a new Need Processing Form. Such a bill cannot be submitted with a Need Add-on Form.
3. If a need was started under Samaritan Classic, and after the member household switches programs a new need for the same medical condition is started under Samaritan Basic, Samaritan may take into account the provisions in Section VI.A.1. “Need Defined” and the amount that was shared under Samaritan Classic and may not allow sharing for the medical condition to exceed the maximum shareable amount of the initial need.

B. Switching from Samaritan Basic to Samaritan Classic

Bills received at the SMI office after the date of the switch will be shared under the Samaritan Classic Guidelines only if the related need meets the requirements of Section VII for not being pre-existing in relation to the date of the switch. In other words, all the needs of all the persons in the switching membership are treated like they became members on the day of the switch.

That means that any condition/injury occurring prior to the switch date, even if it occurred while the person was a Samaritan member participating in either membership level, is now pre-existing until it meets the new time/symptoms/treatment requirements in relation to the switching date. A new Special Prayer Need could be opened to request assistance for medical bills related to pre-existing conditions. (See Section V.A.)

Example 1: Member joined Samaritan January 1, 2017, participating in Samaritan Basic and on March 1, 2017, he develops cancer. All treatments ended June 30, 2017, and there were no further treatments or symptoms. On July 1, 2020, he switches to Samaritan Classic. In July, 2021, the same cancer reoccurs. The need would be considered pre-existing and only shareable as a Special Prayer Need because the condition has not gone five years treatment and symptom free. (See Section VII.A.)

Example 2: Same facts as Example 1 except on January 1, 2021, the member switched back to Samaritan Basic. When the cancer reoccurs in July 1, 2021, it is still pre-existing because the member’s start date in relation to needs is still July 1, 2020, when he switched to Samaritan Classic, and the five year symptom/treatment-free requirement for cancer still applies.

C. Switching Fee

There is a non-refundable fee of $100 for each time a membership switches levels.

D. Splitting Off an Existing Membership

A child or spouse splitting off an existing membership will begin at the same level as the existing membership, but may immediately switch to a different level subject to the switching Guidelines in Section XIV. If a change in membership level is made at or after the split, the same results and fee as described in paragraphs A-C above apply.

E. Multiple Switches

There is no limit on the number of switches, but the following special rules apply:

1. 60 days—A switch may be "reversed" within 60 days as if it did not occur as long as no new needs or bills occurred during that time. You must contact our office directly.
2. 30 days—If a new need or bills occur after a switch, the switch may only be "reversed" if done within 30 days of the switch. You must contact our office directly.
3. Switching Fee—Is never refundable and will be charged for every switch, but will not be charged again for a "reversal."