Medical Insurance
Medical insurance is a major financial burden for individuals, pastors, employers and the nation. Please consider carefully how the church will help pastors with this area of need. We would encourage very clear conversation between church leadership and pastors about this issue and that the church makes sure that pastors have some form of coverage. An increasing number of pastors are able to be added to their spouse’s coverage at a more reasonable rate than obtaining their own and a church could pay that instead.
Setting up a Health Savings Account (HSA) for the pastor is also helpful as that is pre-tax money and the church and/or pastor can contribute to it. The amount is limited to a maximum set by the IRS, and HSA contributions are only possible with certain medical insurance plans.
Other companies, such as TASC, will manage employer contributions made toward medical expenses. These can pay for premiums or out-of-pocket expenses.
Many other plans are available in the market place, from private insurance companies and from various Christian medical cost-sharing ministries. Depending on their specific needs, pastors have found any of these solutions to meet their requirements of cost vs. coverage. The market place and insurance companies vary depending on location, but below are some links to Medical Cost Sharing Ministries.
Guidestone, the organization that manages many Missionary Church pastors’ retirement plans, also provides medical insurance and advice if you need it. Here is an example of a resource that provides help with knowing where to go for medical care.
Brotherhood Mutual has formed strategic alliances with health benefits advisors. They help you offer health benefits options to your employees. Your employees will be able to choose the options that work best for them. The advisors keep everything organized, send a monthly bill, and can auto-deduct premiums from payroll. Visit Brotherhood Mutual and click on the Employee Health Benefits card. You may also email employeebenefits@brotherhoodmutual.com or call 855-886-9027.
If you would like to talk to somebody at the Missionary Church national office about options and what other churches have done, email here.