The Alliance coordinates between seven of the nine major open-membership ministries with letters of exemption, while only three of these seat board members. “It means someone has looked under the hood,” Talento said. Trinity began offering plans through Aliera in 2018. Trinity does not have one, however Trinity President Joe Guarino noted that the federal government stopped issuing them in 2016. Talento said ministries meeting federal requirements received a letter of exemption that helps consumers tell true ministries from paper schemes. Whether current rules adequately inform consumers is still in question. In recent weeks, the pair won small victories as two states agreed with some of their requests: New Hampshire courts halted insurance department proceedings against Trinity and Aliera as they sue the state for religious discrimination, and a Washington federal court granted their request to require plaintiffs to arbitrate their complaints within their organizations, pending any court proceedings. Trinity and Aliera have filed motions to dismiss the lawsuits against them and appealed cease and desist orders in many states. Meanwhile, insurance regulators in six other states have taken other legal actions against Trinity and Aliera. Further, the rules state that they must have existed continuously since December 31, 1999. But they don’t have to adhere to ACA minimum coverage requirements. Health care sharing ministries must share a common set of religious or ethical beliefs and share medical expenses, even after a member develops a medical condition. In 2019, Congress removed the penalty for individuals who don’t have insurance however, regulators often refer back to the ACA requirements when determining which groups are legitimate. The plaintiffs, along with regulators, argue that Trinity does not meet the state and federal definitions of a health care sharing ministry and thus is operating as an unauthorized insurer. When Corlyn Duncan required spinal surgery in 2018, Aliera approved the surgery but paid only a fraction of the costs, leaving her with over $70,000 in unpaid bills, according to the Duncans’ attorneys. They fear that new groups are taking advantage of the model they built.Ĭorlyn and Bruce Duncan are the lead plaintiffs in the California lawsuit. Longstanding ministries say they know the regulations, ascribe to Christian commitments, and have a long history of serving their members. New ministries have popped up across the country, making it more challenging for consumers and regulators to sift the wheat from the chaff.

Trinity (now known as Sharity) has 21,800 member households (not individuals) while Samaritan Ministries International, one of the better-known groups, has around 82,000. Since 2010, when the Affordable Care Act exempted members of health care sharing ministries from purchasing insurance, these groups have grown from around 200,000 members to include over 1.5 million Americans. Some say the entire industry requires greater oversight as “illegitimate” companies use the model-and exemptions carved out for faith-based options-to flout regulations.Ĭhristian health care sharing ministries have existed since the 1980s but took off over the past decade. Amid a flurry of recent legal actions against Trinity HealthShare and its operations affiliate Aliera Companies, other health care sharing ministries are working to keep their place and reputation as an alternative to insurance.

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