Are you worried about medical expenses?

Are you worried about medical expenses?

Christian Medical Mutual Med-Aid CMM

As Obamacare, which requires all citizens to enroll starting in January 2014, has been implemented, interest in healthcare products has been increasing among Korean Americans. In particular, if you do not enroll within the deadline, you will be fined, which is a considerable burden. In relation to this, the Washington State Government has opened a website (www.wahealthplanefinder.org) to promote and inform about enrolling in Obamacare products in order to help residents understand and enroll. However, many Korean Americans are still unfamiliar with these aspects.

Amidst this, Christian Medical Mutual Med-Aid, which has provided healthcare products for Christians (including Catholics) for the past 16 years, is once again receiving attention in relation to Obamacare. Also, with the re-enrollment of health insurance coming up in November, let’s find out about legal alternatives at a time when there is much confusion and concern.

▶ Let’s learn about the introduction of the Christian Medical Mutual Aid Association and the ministry it is currently carrying out.
▷ In relation to Obamacare, the US government is offering a penalty exemption benefit to replace Obamacare if you sign up for a healthcare plan sold by four religious organizations. Of these, three are American organizations and the remaining one is Korean, the Christian Medical Mutual Aid Association. Currently, many social groups are promoting Obamacare, but there are few opportunities to carefully examine which product to choose based on your income. Those with low incomes can relatively receive government benefits, but those with high incomes are better off with the products prepared by the Christian Medical Mutual Aid Association. Currently, the Christian Medical Mutual Aid Association sells healthcare products to all of the US, and the Logos Mission, headquartered in Chicago, is continuously introducing good products to Christians to help Korean-American Christian members and promote products.

▶ What is different about the healthcare of the Christian Medical Mutual Aid Association? ▷The programs prepared by the mutual aid association are about 1/3 cheaper than similar plans offered by general health insurance. The reason is that only Christians can join, and they are based on the premise that they do not smoke, drink, or use drugs. In addition, since they are operated as non-profits, the operating fees are lower than for-profit insurance. That is how much they can return benefits to subscribers in terms of price. In addition, there is the advantage of being able to get a checkup at a hospital connected to the Christian Medical Mutual Aid Association anywhere in the world, especially in Korea. In addition, Christian Medical Mutual Aid Association products also allow for health checkups. Furthermore, while most insurances in the United States require an amount of over $500 per case to receive insurance benefits, the advantage of the medical mutual aid association is that benefits can be received as long as the total annual amount exceeds $500, not just per case.

▶Who should join the Christian Medical Mutual Aid Association products?
▷According to current statistics on Obamacare, those who fall between 138% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) are eligible for Obamacare. This applies to those with an annual income of $46,000 or less, and a family of four with an annual income of $94,000 or less. Individuals who are already enrolled in private insurance can select an insurance product with government subsidies from the medical benefit exchange. Among these, the group that receives the most government subsidies is the 138%. The closer you are to the poverty line, the more government subsidies you receive, and the higher your income, the less benefits you receive. It also varies depending on the number of family members. You can calculate the details in advance on the website. As you can see by comparing, those with a certain income can save on insurance premiums and receive more benefits by using the program introduced by the Christian Medical Mutual Aid Association rather than the products sold on the exchange.

▶ Are there any problems when receiving insurance benefits at a hospital?
▷ Mutual aid products are simply sharing products. In Korean terms, they are similar to ‘계’ for medical expenses. In other words, mutual aid products pay members’ hospital expenses in cash to hospitals. Therefore, many hospitals that know this welcome it. We have not experienced any inconvenience due to supply issues in the 20 years since it was introduced. You can use it with confidence. When the hospital charges medical expenses, just show your membership and say ‘Cash Pay’. American hospitals have a high level of understanding of this product, and Korean hospitals are increasingly preferring the Christian Medical Mutual Aid Association for its fast and safe payment.

▶What are the membership method and conditions?
▷First of all, you must be a Christian (including Catholics). You must not drink, smoke, or use drugs. Childbirth expenses related to pregnancy, etc. are not supported, and in cases of pregnancy outside of marriage, etc., support is not provided. Anyone who regularly attends church and lives a proper life as a Christian can sign up. Signing up for Obamacare takes place for 3 months starting on November 15th every year. Those who are eligible must sign up within this period, and if they do not sign up, they will be fined $95 per family member or 1% of their annual salary. The fine will continue to increase after that. However, members of the Christian Medical Association are not subject to fines. Page 128 of the health care reform bill that will be implemented starting in 2014 contains the ‘Religious Exemptions’ section. This section states that organizations must have been in service prior to December 31, 1999 and have continued to operate without interruption since then. This section includes a provision that these organizations are exempt from Obamacare fines. The Christian Medical Aid Society, which is exempt from fines for Christians, is operated by Logos Mission (501(c)(3) established in 1976, and will continue to expand its ministry of sharing for the medical expenses of many believers in the future.

The ministry of the Christian Medical Aid Society was established in 1996 based on (Gal. 6:2;10), (Acts 4:35), and (2 Cor. 8:14) to support medical expenses for missionaries and their families around the world, and it presents a biblical solution so that members voluntarily participate in this program and practice help and sharing for those in need of medical expenses. The monthly membership fee sent by members is used to share the medical expenses of brothers and sisters in faith who are suffering from illness, and we pray together and help them recover.