▶ The only government-recognized Korean-American organization: low monthly dues, no restrictions on doctors or hospitals, and a wide range of medical expenses covered
▶ Up to $1 million in support for intercessory prayer on behalf of sick patients; an alternative to health insurance for young people
“Our 50 employees are here to assist you in Korean every step of the way.” Christian Medical Mutual Aid Society
Every Wednesday at the all-staff worship service, CMM employees offer intercessory prayers for members who are ill.
“Our 50 employees are here to assist you in Korean every step of the way.” Christian Medical Mutual Aid Society
CMM Christian Medical Mutual Aid Society Chicago Headquarters.
“Our 50 staff members are here to assist you in Korean every step of the way.” Christian Medical Mutual Aid Society
CMM Christian Medical Mutual Aid Society, Anaheim Branch.
“Plan for Medical Expenses and Avoid Fines” Even though the federal mandate requiring health insurance—and the associated penalty for going uninsured—has been repealed, some states have passed their own laws mandating that all residents have health insurance and imposing fines on those who do not. In California, for example, individuals without health insurance will be subject to a fine starting January 1, 2020. As the Obamacare enrollment period begins, the medical expense-sharing ministry of CMM Christian Mutual Med-Aid (hereinafter CMM)—which allows people to plan for medical expenses at a cost far lower than that of health insurance and also exempts them from the penalty for going uninsured—is drawing attention.
■What Is the Medical Expense Sharing Ministry?
The Healthcare Sharing Ministry is a ministry in which Christians pool their contributions to help one another when they face financial hardship due to medical expenses; it was started in the 1950s by the children of American missionaries for their parents. It gained widespread recognition in 2014 when Obamacare took effect, as Christians who joined the ministry based on their religious beliefs were exempted from the penalty for lacking health insurance. At that time, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services approved healthcare sharing ministries established before December 31, 1999, and with no issues regarding medical cost assistance, as organizations exempt from the penalty. California’s mandatory health insurance law, which takes effect next year, also recognizes healthcare sharing ministries (Senate Bill No. 78, (7)), and the criteria for exemption from the penalty will be the same as those applied under Obamacare.
■What kind of organization is the CMM Christian Medical Mutual Aid Society?
CMM is not a health insurance provider but a ministry dedicated to sharing medical expenses. Established in 1996 under the Logos Mission Society, it is a nonprofit organization that has faithfully carried out this ministry for 24 years. Tens of thousands of Korean believers living biblical lives across the United States participate in this ministry. In accordance with the Bible’s teaching to “carry each other’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2), they practice the love of Christ by helping one another through medical cost sharing and intercessory prayer.
Although CMM’s medical expense-sharing program operates differently from for-profit commercial health insurance, it has become a popular medical expense solution among Christians because it helps cover a wide range of medical costs for a much lower monthly fee.
In 2014, CMM was approved by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as an organization exempt from fines. CMM directly manages all processes—from enrollment counseling to medical expense assistance—and provides services entirely in Korean throughout the entire process. CMM’s reputation, built over 24 years, and its various benefits can be verified through real-life support cases on the CMM website (www.cmmlogos.org).
■There are many organizations that claim to be medical mutual aid societies—how can we distinguish the trustworthy ones?
Recently, organizations that do not adhere to the fundamental principles of Christianity and operate for profit have emerged, causing controversy. Similar organizations are also appearing in our Korean-American community, so caution is advised.
Therefore, if you wish to join a medical cost-sharing ministry, you should first check how long the organization has been operating, whether its medical cost assistance procedures are sound, and whether it has sufficient funds set aside to cover emergencies. In particular, if you are enrolling through an agency or intermediary organization that connects you to a Christian healthcare sharing ministry, it is safest to visit the organization’s website directly to verify membership eligibility and the scope of coverage.
■What are the benefits and eligibility requirements of CMM?
The biggest advantage of CMM is that it provides coverage for a wide range of medical expenses despite having a much lower monthly membership fee. Furthermore, there are no restrictions on doctors or hospitals, so members can choose the doctor and hospital of their choice for treatment. In addition, since it covers medical expenses incurred not only in the United States but also in Korea and other parts of the world, members can undergo tests or receive treatment at hospitals in Korea, where the healthcare system is well-developed and there are no language barriers.
Another major advantage is that the out-of-pocket costs patients must pay upfront when medical bills arise are significantly lower. In many cases, even that amount is deducted if the hospital offers a discount, meaning patients end up paying nothing out of pocket. According to a recent survey, over the past 10 years, the deductible—the amount patients must pay first—has skyrocketed by about three times, leading to a growing number of middle-class individuals who find it difficult to afford medical costs despite having health insurance. As people experience the tangible benefits of CMM’s low out-of-pocket costs, there has been a significant increase in new members joining Gold Plus, the program that offers the greatest benefits.
CMM’s eligibility requirements are that applicants be Christians up to age 64 who live a biblical married life and do not consume alcohol, tobacco, or drugs; anyone can join CMM regardless of income or status.
■What programs are available on CMM?
There are four programs in total, with monthly membership fees per person of $175 (Gold Plus), $135 (Gold), $80 (Silver), and $40 (Bronze). Regardless of the program, members are covered for up to $150,000 in medical expenses per illness, and medical expenses exceeding $150,000 are covered up to $1 million through “Burden Sharing,” a system where all members share the cost. The Gold Plus program, which offers the most comprehensive benefits, covers hospitalization, surgery, physician fees, diagnostic tests, treatment costs, six months’ worth of prescription medications, pregnancy and childbirth, and emergency room care. Recognizing the importance of disease prevention and early detection, Gold Plus provides $500 annually toward health screenings, and with an annual out-of-pocket maximum of just $500, it is a unique program exclusive to CMM that you won’t find anywhere else.
In contrast to a plan with a $500 copay per illness—where medical expenses not exceeding $500 are not covered—a plan with an annual copay of $500 allows you to pay only $500 for all medical expenses over the course of a year, with the remainder fully covered; the scope of benefits is incomparable.
In addition, to provide members with a variety of benefits, the organization currently operates a “Member Referral” program that awards membership fee credits when existing members refer new members, as well as a “Life Plan” that provides a funeral expense subsidy equal to 100 times the average membership fee in the event of the death of a member who has been enrolled for at least two years.
■What is the procedure for medical expense assistance?
CMM은 보험이 아니기 때문에 CMM 회원들은 병원 방문 시 비보험 환자(uninsured patient)로 등록을 해야 한다. 진료 후 치료 내역이 적힌 청구서(itemized bill)와 의료비 지불 영수증을 첨부해 의료비 지원 신청을 하면 가이드라인에 따라 병원비를 환급받을 수 있다. <표 참조>
If the medical bill is too large to pay all at once, CMM can work with the patient to contact the hospital and arrange for payment in installments. Additionally, many hospitals offer discounts to uninsured patients upon request, and if you receive such a discount, that amount can be deducted from your out-of-pocket expenses. It is highly recommended to request a discount on medical bills, as this not only reduces your out-of-pocket expenses but also conserves CMM funds, helping to prevent membership fee increases.
■Are there any partner hospitals in Korea for CMM members?
There are hospitals in Korea that have signed business agreements with CMM and offer discounts to CMM members. Members can receive discounts on health screenings and medical treatment at hospitals such as Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Seran Hospital, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, Gihyeop Hospital, and Sam Hospital. At Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital and Seran Hospital, members can receive a discount of approximately 30% on health screenings. Furthermore, for various tests and treatments—including cancer screenings—members can receive care at a cost based on 100% of the standard South Korean national health insurance rates. If you wish to use one of these partner hospitals in South Korea, please contact CMM in advance for detailed guidance. We plan to continue expanding our network of partner hospitals in South Korea.
■I heard that you are offering intercessory prayers for members who are sick,
At CMM, we refer to our staff as “ministers.” This reflects our commitment to serving our members, viewing this place not as a workplace but as a mission field where we put God’s Word into practice and share God’s love. When staff members identify someone in need of prayer during a consultation with a member, prayer begins the moment the call is made.
Additionally, intercessory prayers for members who are ill are offered during the all-staff worship service held every Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. and the Sunday worship service held at 9:00 a.m.
In addition, we share updates on the condition of members who are ill in the *Christian Journal* newspaper and newsletter distributed monthly to CMM members, and we ask all members to join us in intercessory prayer. Since members who are ill desperately need not only financial support but also God’s comfort and hope, intercessory prayer is also at the heart of our medical expense-sharing ministry.
■A Comparison of Workplace Health Insurance and CMM
With workplace health insurance plans, the company typically covers about 70% of the cost, while the employee pays about 30%. For example, if a family of four has a $2,400 insurance plan, the employee would have to pay $720. Furthermore, deductibles are often $5,000 or more per person, and many plans offer only limited coverage for emergency room visits or hospitalizations, which means people may not receive adequate benefits when they need them most.
CMM costs $425 for a family of four if they choose the highest-tier plan. Not only is the annual out-of-pocket maximum of $500 per person very affordable, but the program also covers up to $500 per person per year for health screenings, which is why many people choose the Christian Medical Mutual Aid Society over employer-sponsored insurance.
■Why Young People Need CMM
Young people tend to avoid purchasing expensive health insurance because they are healthy. However, in countries like the United States, where medical costs are astronomically high, living without health insurance coverage is not only unsettling but also means that, starting in 2020, California residents will be required to pay a penalty if they are uninsured. CMM is a great alternative for young people, as it allows them to prepare for potentially high medical expenses—which could arise at any time—with affordable monthly premiums, while also exempting them from the penalty.
In addition, if a married couple enrolls in Gold Plus, they receive coverage for pregnancy and childbirth expenses. For families with children, while standard health insurance requires premiums to be paid based on the number of children, with CMM, only one child’s premium needs to be paid for all children to receive benefits.
For more information, please call 773-777-8889 or visit the website at www.cmmlogos.org로.
Details of CMM Benefits
- Exemption from California’s uninsured driver fine
- Low monthly premiums and low out-of-pocket costs
- No restrictions on doctors or hospitals in the U.S.; coverage for medical expenses incurred not only in Korea but worldwide
- Funeral expense coverage of up to $17,500 in the event of the death of a member who has been enrolled for at least two years (Life Plan)
- The “ Member Referral ” program, which provides membership fee credits for referring new members
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