Missouri Revised Statutes













Chapter 376

Life, Health and Accident Insurance

←376.1578

Section 376.1750.1

376.1753→

August 28, 2015

Health care sharing ministry, provisions not to apply to--ministry not engaging in the business of insurance, when--health care sharing ministry defined.

376.1750. 1. The provisions of this chapter relating to health

insurance, health maintenance organizations, health benefit plans, group

health services, and health carriers shall not apply to a health care sharing

ministry. A health care sharing ministry which, through its publication to

members or subscribers, solicits funds for the payment of medical expenses of

other subscribers or members, shall not be considered to be engaging in the

business of insurance for purposes of this chapter or any provision of Title

XXIV and shall not be subject to the jurisdiction of the director if the

requirements of subsection 2 of this section are met.



2. As used in this section, a "health care sharing ministry" is a

faith-based nonprofit organization tax exempt under the Internal Revenue Code

that:



(1) Limits its membership to those who are of a similar faith;



(2) Acts as an organizational clearinghouse for information between

members or subscribers who have financial, physical, or medical needs and

members or subscribers with the present ability to assist those with present

financial or medical needs;



(3) Provides for the financial or medical needs of a member or

subscriber through gifts directly from one member or subscriber to another.

The requirements of this subdivision can be satisfied by a trust established

solely for the benefit of members or subscribers, which trust is audited

annually by an independent auditing firm;



(4) Provides amounts that members or subscribers may give with no

assumption of risk or promise to pay either among the members or subscribers

or between the members or subscribers and such organization;



(5) Provides a written monthly statement to all members or subscribers,

listing the total dollar amount of qualified needs submitted to such

organization, as well as the amount actually published or assigned to members

or subscribers for voluntary payment; and



(6) Provides the following written disclaimer on or accompanying all

promotional or informational documents distributed by or on behalf of the

organization, including applications, and guideline materials:

"NOTICE



This publication is not an insurance company nor is it offered through an

insurance company. Whether anyone chooses to assist you with your medical

bills will be totally voluntary, as no other subscriber or member will be

compelled to contribute toward your medical bills. As such, this publication

should never be considered to be insurance. Whether you receive any payments

for medical expenses and whether or not this publication continues to

operate, you are always personally responsible for the payment of your own

medical bills.".



(L. 2007 H.B. 818)







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