In recent times, a handful of religious organizations have sprung up that offer to pay members' healthcare bills if they pay into a common fund. These groups, which include Samaritan Ministries, Christian Healthcare Ministries and Medi-Share, collect insurance-like contributions, but assert vigorously that they're not insurance companies but rather, "ministries." However, despite these claims, state regulators are increasingly wondering whether these are, in fact, health insurance companies that should be regulated as such.

Now, the Florida legislature is set to consider legislation that would exempt the plans from oversight by the state's Office of Insurance Regulation. It would exempt companies like Florida-based Christian Care, which takes in about $50 million a year in payments. If the exemption is approved, Florida would become one 10-odd states, including Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Kentucky, which have approved such exemptions.

To learn more about faith-based healthcare groups:
- read this St. Petersburg Times article [1]

Related Articles:
Patients cut costs with faith-based health plans [2]
Health plan-like "bill sharing ministry" under fire [3]