One of the benefits of a mission board is group health insurance. But many, like us, aren't part of a board; we're sent out by our local church, without the sometimes-necessary middle man. But we just discovered that we're paying more than twice as much for health insurance on our Bupa Denmark individual family plan than some missionaries are paying on their mission boards' group health plan (Aetna, for example).
Does anyone know of a co-op of independent missionaries (those who aren't part of a missions board) who have pooled together to get the same kind of rates mission boards get--with a reputable insurance company? Or any other solution?
Since we are talking about hundreds more dollars to raise per month (and therefore weeks and weeks more time off the field to raise and then maintain so much more support), we are desperate to find a solution and therefore be better stewards of God's time and money.
Any ideas? Please comment!
2 responses:
I've heard some good things about IMG international health insurance. A few independent missionaries in the far east are using this and have been very satisfied with the results.
Another person emailed me the following:
1. http://cmc.missions.net/ This clearing house may have some suggestions for you.
2. http://www.samaritanministries.org/ This company is reputable, but it is not an insurance company.
3. What happens to missionaries who hit retirement age and are mandatorily dropped from the group plan? Normally they are forced to retire from the mission as well, and return to the US. Some however choose to stay on the field and continue with whatever coverage they can find in their field of service. Uruguay has excellent medical care as long as you can pay for it privately. Often this private care can be covered through memberships with medical societies.
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