(and what we love instead!)

This is a sponsored post - see my disclosure policy here. All opinions are my own genuine and organic feedback!

There were several choices available and the only company we had heard NOTHING but great things about was Samaritan Ministries.

I was chatting with a family member the other day about how and why we use Samaritan Ministries and it was such a sweet reminder of the multiple reasons we chose this model.

First being this: I have chosen in pretty much every other way to step away from the "standard" health practices. Why would I continue paying into an industry that is at the core about profit and not about wellness or people?

It doesn't really align with my core values to continue supporting something like that.

Samaritan Ministries, on the other hand, is about people.

It’s about bearing burdens together, and is completely unique as a health share option in having members send shares straight to a family.

When I really started digging through the logic of continuing to support companies, who truth be told, don't care about me or my family as individuals and who are completely profit driven, it was SO clear that we would infinitely prefer Samaritan Ministries - where we are sending money DIRECTLY to a family with a medical need while still having our own medical cost needs met more than we ever have before, it was such a no-brainer.

You can join anytime, it's affordable, and there are no network restrictions. It’s Biblical need sharing that is so beautiful.

Within the first 12 to 18 months of starting to use Samaritan, we had one sweet little one hospitalized for four days, another precious boy break a finger and need an emergency procedure, and one child who had an extensive emergency room trip with lots of testing.

Because we are Samaritan members and cash-pay patients, not only did we save thousands of dollars we would have paid through insurance (and we certainly have the previous years of medical bills with to prove it!), but I cannot tell you how meaningful it was to receive handwritten cards and notes from complete strangers who were contributing to our needs, as well as praying for us during these times. We went from a cold, sterile interaction to feeling loved, seen, and cared for by fellow believers and sweet people.

This is genuinely one of the best decisions we’ve ever made for our family. We love having our health needs met through biblical foundations of prayer and need sharing, and we love that members have freedom over provider and treatment choices, including approved alternative and naturopathic care through licensed medical professionals!

Samaritan Ministries has also recently added health care savings with New Benefits. Here are the exciting details from their announcement email!

“The New Benefits Complete package is included with your Samaritan membership:

• Telemedicine available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (Your cost will be only $38 per visit.)

• Savings at thousands of health care locations nationwide

• Dental

• Vision

• Chiropractic

• Lab 

• Imaging and testing

• Discounted diabetic supplies, brand-name hearing aids, and durable medical equipment

• Prescription savings at participating retail pharmacies

Samaritan members can easily use the app or website to search for providers who offer savings through this program; this is an amazing new addition for those of us who have also opted out of dental and vision insurance! (Please note the New Benefits resource is not insurance coverage and is not available to residents of the State of Washington.)

Not only is our monthly financial commitment similar to (or even less than!) before, but the meaning behind our medical bill solution is so much more beautiful. We will never go back to a profit-driven model again after experiencing this beautiful ministry-focused gift.