Insurance Coverage Information

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA)

Availability

Members of the Ministers' Group who have had at least 18 months of creditable coverage with the Brethren Medical Plan qualify for medical coverage according to the federal legislation HIPPA: no one in the Ministers' Group of the Brethren Medical Plan is uninsurable. There are no pre-existing condition limitations or waiting periods for being covered in any state.

Everyone? How about individuals deemed "high-risk"?

The majority of states have created "high-risk pools" designed to cover individuals deemed too risky for traditional insurance. Some states without high risk pools assign quotas determining how many HIPAA eligible enrollees must be covered by each insurance company doing business in that state to date, these quotas have been sufficient to ensure that everyone is able to find a company for medical insurance. Depending on the state of residence, one could pay 10% to 100% more than the market rate paid by the average person without any pre-existing conditions.

Current Participants' Options for Coverage

Individuals who are current participants in the Minister's Group of the Brethren Medical Plan have several different options for medical coverage:

• Join a spouse's plan
• Apply for individual/family coverage by finding a provider through BBT's support center or an insurance broker - contact BBT if you require assistance
• Apply for group coverage - contact BBT for information on group plans such as those offered by AARP.

The Brethren Medical Plan Study Committee's 2007 Recommendations

The BMP Study Committee's First Recommendation

The 2007 Annual Conference approved the following amended recommendation of the Brethren Medical Plan Study Committee:

"That the medical insurance component of the Brethren Medical Plan for active ministers be phased out while allowing BBT to continue to explore the viability of the Plan for the church-related agencies and members of the ministers' group who are currently retired or retire in the future and who are age 65 or older."

The BMP Study Committee's Second Recommendation

This was approved as submitted:

"That the long-term disability, life, vision and dental insurance elements of the Brethren Medical Plan continue."

The BMP Study Committee's Third Recommendation

The Annual Conference amended the third recommendation of the Brethren Medical Plan Study Committee to read:

"That Brethren Benefit Trust be directed to mutually assist in finding alternative medical coverage for those current participants who would not otherwise be able to obtain or afford medical insurance."

Brethren Benefit Trust recognizes that the members of the Minister's Group Medical Plan will have questions. Consequently, BBT has prepared the information on this website to better inform those affected by these recommendations.