Selecting an appropriate health plan is not always an easy task, let alone for Catholics who would like to stick to the teachings of their religion while picking their health insurance plan. Employer-provided Catholic health insurance generally should reflect these concerns concerning life, family, and dignity. Catholic health insurance options are too numerous today, here are five basic tips if you need to enroll in a Catholic health insurance plan.

1. Learn the Difference: Health Insurance vs Healthcare Sharing Ministries

Catholic families have two primary options for health coverage: exclusive premiums of old-style medical insurance organizations and healthcare-share ministries. Both of them offer coverage though it functions differently.

– Traditional Health Insurance: These plans mostly provide patients with insurance coverage for several medical services from well-known insurance companies. They are governed by state and federal laws including the Obamacare or the Affordable Care Act and provide different levels of insurance coverage depending on the levels chosen (Basic, Enhanced, Premium- HMO, PPO, and other plans).

 -Healthcare Sharing Ministries: These are religious institutions in which people contribute to medical expenses. Rather than remitting premiums to an insurance company in a monthly, weekly, or daily manner members pay a proportionate share in terms of cash towards the medical bills of their fellow members. It pays to note that most of these ministries, for instance, Medi-Share, and Christian Healthcare Ministries mirror Catholic teaching; however, they do not need to abide by the ACA rules; therefore; some services may not be offered, as per insurance products.

2. Look for Catholic-Values Coverage

Most Catholic plans of health insurance as well as healthcare ministries have a connection to the moral and ethical principles of the Catholic Church. For instance:

– They tend to prioritize the kind of coverage that recognizes the dignity of life such as maternity and prenatal.

– They may avoid funding treatments or procedures that go against Catholic teachings, such as abortion or contraceptive services.

3. Consider Costs and Affordability

While there are some plans like the Medi-Share healthcare-sharing ministry that have lower monthly payments than conventional health insurance, there is more to deciding than getting the cheapest one out there.

– Premiums and Shares: The common features or parts of traditional health insurance include premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses. We must however note that other ministries have monthly share amounts, which can be relatively cheaper than premium amounts but might entail other conditions or restrictiveness of cover.

  – Out-of-Pocket Costs: Learn the straightforward expenses you will incur in terms of medical services under a PPO plan and an HMO plan for example; Deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.

4. Seek Guidance from Experts

Choosing between various Catholic health insurance plans can be a challenging process, so it is better to get some advice. Consider reaching out to:

– Insurance Brokers: A Catholic health insurance broker is in the position to advice with the right Catholic health insurance plan to choose for one’s family.

– Catholic Organizations: As of 2006, almost all the dioceses or Catholic organizations provide some form of resource/information on the Catholic health-sharing ministries or health care products. They can give advice or a referral for a service that is more Catholic-appropriate.

Conclusion

The decision to choose the Catholic health insurance program has to factor in a family’s healthcare plan, moral beliefs, and economic plan. Comparing health insurance and healthcare-sharing ministries, the process of consideration and analyzing available options with the help of the expert will help choose the best option to provide the necessary level of care and the sacramental feeling for the family. Whether you choose a conventional insurance and/or medical cost-sharing plan or a healthcare-sharing ministry, having your plan follow the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church will give you a good feeling and a sense of protection in seeking and choosing your healthcare plans.