Michigan Laws 550.1867 – Health care sharing ministry; requirements
Current as of: 2023 | Check for updates
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Terms Used In Michigan Laws 550.1867
- Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
- Eligible entity: means a faith-based, nonprofit entity that maintains tax-exempt status under section 501(c) of the internal revenue code, 26 USC 501. See Michigan Laws 550.1863
- ministry: means a program established by an eligible entity for the sharing of finances and health care in compliance with this act. See Michigan Laws 550.1863
To be considered a health care sharing ministry under this act, the ministry shall meet all of the following requirements:
(a) Limit participation in the ministry to individuals who are of a similar faith.
(b) Provide that the ministry act as a facilitator by matching its participants who have financial or medical needs with participants who have the ability to assist in meeting those needs according to criteria established for the ministry by the eligible entity.
(c) Provide for the financial or medical needs of a participant through voluntary contributions by its participants.
(d) Provide amounts that participants may contribute with no assumption of risk or promise to pay among its participants.
(e) Provide financial assistance to participants who have financial or medical needs with no assumption of risk or promise to pay by the ministry to its participants.
(f) Provide a monthly written statement to its participants that lists the total dollar amount of qualified financial or medical needs that were submitted to the ministry, as well as the amount actually published or assigned to participants for their contribution.
(g) Provide, in substantially similar form and language, the following written disclaimer on or accompanying all applications and guideline materials distributed by or on behalf of the ministry:
“Notice: The [insert name of eligible entity] that operates this health care sharing ministry is not an insurance company and the financial assistance provided through the ministry is not insurance and is not provided through an insurance company. Whether any participant in the ministry chooses to assist another participant who has financial or medical needs is totally voluntary. A participant will not be compelled by law to contribute toward the financial or medical needs of another participant. This document is not a contract of insurance or a promise to pay for the financial or medical needs of a participant by the ministry. A participant who receives assistance from the ministry for his or her financial or medical needs remains personally responsible for the payment of all of his or her medical bills and other obligations incurred in meeting his or her financial or medical needs.”.