NewsChannel5.com | Nashville News, Weather & SportsThousands Have Medical Bills Paid Through Faith

Thousands Have Medical Bills Paid Through Faith

by Amanda Hara

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Instead of mainstream health insurance, some 100,000 people across the country, bound by Christian values, are helping each other pay off medical bills.

Thirteen years ago, David Winkler moved to Nashville as a self employed musician.

He opted into Samaritan Ministries for health insurance, citing a lower cost.

There's no insurance agency, just a board of directors who never touch your money. Instead, they assign members to send other members personal checks to help cover medical bills.

A monthly payment is never more than $320, and Winkler said with 15,000 members, everyone is guaranteed the help they need.

"To most people they haven't heard of it before and maybe they're even skeptical about how it works but it's not a ponzi scheme this group has rules that help everyone to be accountable," Winkler said.

State officials warned against unlicensed and unregulated companies like Samaritan Ministries because there's no protection for consumers if things go wrong or companies decide not to help you pay a bill.

For more information, contact Insurance Consumer Services through the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance at 615-741-2218 or email at cis.complaints@tn.gov.

Email: ahara@newschannel5.com