Christian health share programs may not cover cancer screenings

Ohio resident Charlene Rack was surprised to receive a $300 bill in the mail for a mammogram she thought was free. The reason she was charged, Rack discovered later, was that her Christian health share ministry “insurance,” presented as a cheaper alternative to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), does not cover screening mammography. 

According to a report from WCPO-TV, these programs are growing in popularity, though they rarely cover preventative testing. Many hospitals consider the programs to be self-pay, which is why preventative testing is not covered.

"You know I figured we were OK, because of the advertising, of the word free and no strings attached,” Rack told WCPO-TV.

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As a senior news writer for TriMed, Subrata covers cardiology, clinical innovation and healthcare business. She has a master’s degree in communication management and 12 years of experience in journalism and public relations.

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