MEMBER MONTHLY FEBRUARY 2024
CONTENTS
A Note from CEO Dorsey Morrow
3
Member SharePower
4
Careington Dental Reminder
5
Medicare Checklist
6
Monthly Devotions with Pastor Wes
8
Health & Wellness with Amy
10
Frequently Asked Questions
11
Employee Spotlight
12
Liberty HealthShare Member Information
13
A word about the new format. Welcome to our new Member Monthly – your main source of announcements, member information, enriching articles, and spotlights on what makes Liberty HealthShare great. This whole magazine is focused on you! We are always moving forward and trying to find ways to serve our members. Switching the format of our monthly newsletter will allow us to do just that. We're pushing the limits of "interactive" with even more linked content and videos you can watch right here in the magazine. Explore around, watch the videos, and thank you for being one of our valued members. To get you started, here's a video featuring some of the people who make our ministry so special.
A Note to Our Members
from CEO Dorsey Morrow
A diverse set of responsibilities is one of the aspects of my role here at Liberty HealthShare that I truly enjoy. I take very seriously my responsibility to establish a vision for the future and to make the strategic decisions necessary to enable our workforce to flourish within our mission, vision, and values. I remain genuinely excited about how our plans are becoming a reality. We hope to launch our new dental program for members later on this calendar year. The shape and offerings of the program are being finalized and we will be able to share more in the weeks ahead. Our new marketing efforts are bearing fruit, causing consistent increases in the number of people wanting to learn more about all that Liberty HealthShare offers. Our willingness to constantly find ways to enhance the member experience has led to a focus on re-engineering procedures and protocols if it helps to meet the needs of our members. Two recent examples have been shared with you in recent newsletters. I encourage you to read those articles about all that your membership offers through the Careington Suite of Services and our partnership with the medical cost repricer, HST. Take a moment to read how these services will enhance your experience as a member of our ministry. I also enjoy confronting the challenges we face. As you may know, modern healthcare sharing is a relatively new development. Many people still don’t understand the premise as our members do. Many states have a “Safe Harbor” provision, but we still come across regulatory agencies that believe we are insurance. One of those is the Office of Superintendent of Insurance in New Mexico. We are fighting for citizens of New Mexico, and our members there, to be allowed to exercise their religious liberties and make their own healthcare choices, instead of being forced into a state insurance exchange. We are also complying with an investigation by the Attorney General’s office of the State of California.
This is part of a wide-reaching investigation including many of the larger healthsharing ministries. We are working to ensure they understand who we are, how we operate, and that we comply with the law in every aspect of our operations. You may be wondering where the funds for our legal matters come from. As you are aware, we separate member’s voluntary contributions into two broad categories: SharePower, that our members use to share into every eligible medical bill submitted, and administrative, which is used to keep the lights on, pay for accounting services, salaries, marketing, IT costs, building costs, and yes, even legal. Legal expenses involving the ministry at large are paid for out of our administrative budget. A quick look at our publicly available IRS Form 990 will show what we are paying towards legal expenses, and that we are prepared to defend our members’ religious freedoms to be a part of a Christian ministry that demonstrates their faith by sharing into each other’s medical burdens. As Christians, and as citizens of this great country, we are honored to serve our members, glorify our God, and protect the US Constitution. As a sidenote, since we are mentioning administrative funds, we have worked hard to keep our administrative costs low, which has resulted in our administrative rate being only 6%. To be on the Charity Watch “TopRated” list, an organization generally must have an administrative rate of 25% or less. We are constantly looking for ways to improve and become ever better stewards of the funds you have entrusted to us. We are making great progress on all fronts and are thrilled that you are with us as part of the Liberty HealthShare family. In His Love and Service,
Dorsey Morrow Chief Executive Officer 3
January
SHAREPOWER
Our monthly report of member's
shared resources
SharePower Received
$13,099,269
Medical Expenses Shared
$13,130,841
Medical Expenses Received
$10,591,564
The monthly amount of voluntary contributions available to share member's eligible medical expenses.
The monthly amount of voluntary contributions available to share member's eligible medical expenses.
The amount of eligible medical expenses submitted by members and providers after repricing, ineligibility and AUA Application. This amount may be reduced after additional negotiations.
JANUARY 2024
*Percentage of backlog reduced
JANUARY 2024
Percentage of pre-2022 backlog reduced
3% CUMULATIVE
Percentage of backlog reduced since January 1, 2022
2% CUMULATIVE
Percentage of pre-2022 backlog reduced since January 1, 2022
52% *INCLUDES: BALANCE BILLS RECEIVED IN 2022 WITH DATES OF SERVICE PRIOR TO THE MAY 2022 SHARING GUIDELINE CHANGE REGARDING THE ELIGIBLE SHARING OF BALANCE BILLS
60%
4
NOTE: THE BACKLOG INCLUDES MEDICAL EXPENSES THAT WERE SUBMITTED AND DETERMINED TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR SHARING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SHARING GUIDELINES BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2022, BUT HAVE YET TO BE SHARED. IT DOES NOT INCLUDE BALANCE BILLS RECEIVED IN 2022 FOR MEDICAL EXPENSES ELIGIBLE FOR SHARING BEFORE THE MAY 1, 2022 SHARING GUIDELINE CHANGES AND SHARED AFTER JANUARY 1, 2022. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SHAREPOWER RECEIVED AND MEDICAL EXPENSES RECEIVED IS MONEY THAT IS AVAILABLE TO BE APPLIED TO PRE-2022 BACKLOG. THAT TOTAL, HOWEVER, MAY NOT BE REFLECTED IN THE MONTHLY AND CUMULATIVE BACKLOG REDUCTION PERCENTAGES EACH MONTH, NEGOTIATIONS WITH PROVIDERS OFTEN RESULT IN DISCOUNTS AND THE ELIMINATION OF BALANCE BILLS IF A GROUP OF MEDICAL EXPENSES (SOME IN THE BACKLOG AND SOME FROM 2022 OR 2023) ARE ALL PAID AT THE SAME TIME, WHILE THIS CAN IMPACT THE REDUCTION PERCENTAGE FOR A GIVEN MONTH, THE NET EFFECT IS A FASTER OVERALL REDUCTION IN THE BACKLOG THAT MAY NOT BECOME APPARENT FOR SOME TIME.
Careington Dental
savings
Offers of up to 50%
Eligible Liberty HealthShare members can save up to 50% on their dental care by simply using their free Careington Dental Discount Program.
The Careington Dental Discount Program features: • Savings of 20% to 50% on most dental procedures including routine oral exams, cleanings, and major work such as dentures, root canals, and crowns. • 20% savings on orthodontics for children and adults. • 20% savings on specialist’s normal fees. Specialties include Endodontics, Oral Surgery, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontics, and Prosthodontics. • Savings on cosmetic dentistry such as bonding and veneers.
Using Careington Dental is as simple as telling a participating provider that you are a member of the Careington Dental Network. There’s no paperwork or forms to fill out and nothing to submit to Liberty HealthShare. The discounts are applied when you pay for services. To locate a participating provider and see their pricing, visit dialcare.libertyhealthshare.org.
REFER A
friend
Earn $150
Long a popular program for Liberty HealthShare members, Refer a Friend is a great way to share information about our ministry to friends, family, and colleagues for whom healthsharing might be a good fit for both their spiritual beliefs and an affordable way to manage their healthcare expenses. Plus, you can earn $150 for each referral. A current healthsharing member will receive a $150 Visa gift card for each referred individual who enrolls and maintains their membership for two consecutive months. The process is easy. Simply fill out the on-line form found in your ShareBox and click Submit. Our enrollment team will contact them and handle everything else.
watch this video to learn more
Information about how to use Careington Dental was included in Welcome Kits emailed to Liberty HealthShare members by Careington. If you can’t find your Welcome Kit, call Careington at 833-317-4347.
Careington Dental is not available to members of the Liberty Assist and Liberty Freedom sharing programs. Careington Dental is a discount program. It is not insurance. It is not available in Vermont or Washington.
*The Refer a Friend Program is not available in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, or New Mexico. The number of referrals in either Maryland or Montana is limited to 6 per member per year. 5
65 soon? turning
It's Time to Prepare for Medicare
Turning 65 soon? Whether you plan to retire or continue working, you have several choices to make regarding Medicare when you turn 65. This checklist will help guide you through the process.
FIND OUT when you are
eligible to enroll in Medicare Medicare enrollment begins 3 months before the month you turn 65 and ends 3 months after that month. It is a 7-month window.
You can remain a part of the Liberty HealthShare community after you turn 65. Once you have enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B, you can transition to a sharing program designed to fill in the gaps Medicare doesn’t pay—Liberty Assist. If you have employer-sponsored health insurance and will not be retiring, ask if your insurance will continue after you turn 65. You might be able to delay signing up for Medicare until you stop working. If you are under 65 and have been on Social Security disability for 24 months, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare.
before your 12
MONTHS
BIRTHDAY
Begin learning about Medicare and your options. Lots of information is available at medicare.gov. You can even sign up to get news and updates there. Download the “Medicare & You” handbook at: https://www.medicare.gov/medicare-and-you for reference.
before your 9
MONTHS
6
BIRTHDAY
If you will be enrolling in Medicare but not retiring and your employer contributes to a Health Savings Account (HSA) on your behalf, ask to have these contributions stopped no later than 6 months before your 65th birthday to avoid a tax penalty.
before your 6
MONTHS
BIRTHDAY
Schedule a call with a Liberty HealthShare Enrollment Specialist to learn about your options to convert your membership to the Liberty Assist sharing program when you turn 65. Research the various Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage programs available in your area. Compare costs: Liberty Assist is just $87 a month at ages 65-69, and that’s less than the national average for Medigap plans.
before your 4
MONTHS
BIRTHDAY
Check with your medical care providers to see if they accept Medicare and if they “balance bill” you for amounts Medicare doesn’t pay. Understand Medicare out-of-pocket costs including premiums, deductibles, and co-pays.
before your 1-3 MONTHS
BIRTHDAY
Make your final decisions and, if you will be enrolling in Medicare, begin filling out the forms to sign up. You must be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B to be eligible for Liberty Assist.
Watch this video to learn more! If you have questions, call one of Liberty HealthShare’s Enrollment Specialists at 855-585-4237. 7
Monthly Devotions
with
Pastor Wes
Pastor Wes Humble - Executive Director of Ministry, Community Relations, and Events
Be Careful With Your Heart Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.
Hebrews 3:12-13 NLT
Recently we celebrated Valentine’s Day and as always there was a lot of interest in hearts. Candy hearts, chocolate hearts, paper hearts, cut-out hearts, and balloon hearts were everywhere. The Hebrew writer was also very interested in our hearts, or the seat of our affections and emotions. The world we live in does its best daily to destroy our hearts. We are bombarded with information, advertising, entertainment, and temptations that are aimed at our affections. They are purposeful and often calculated to pull us in one direction or the other. Even people can have that effect on us as well. We must guard our hearts if we are to remain faithful to God. Our hearts are not to be trusted, and so the writer says, “be careful” and “make sure.” Be sure of your heart and its affections. Test it and prove it daily. Be honest so that you can move back toward God if you need to. Don’t be afraid to do the examination. Jeremiah the prophet wrote these words: “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives.” (Jeremiah 17:9-10 NLT). Pause every day and truly examine your heart. Allow the Holy Spirit to show you your motives. Do everything you can to defeat the influence and pull of anything that moves you away from God. Love God first and foremost. Put God first on the throne of your heart. Pray this prayer from Psalm 139: 23-24 (NLT) often:
8
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Amen.
let us pray together For those who have been in the hospital and are going home on hospice. We pray that they, their family, and their friends will be comforted by God’s peace. For those who are waiting on test results. We pray that the doctors find answers and restore their health. For those who have lower back and hip pain. We pray for improved flexibility and minimum pain. For those who are living with Parkinson’s disease. We pray for strength, balance, and support for daily life. For those who have had heart surgery. We pray for restoration and healing. For children who have suffered a sports injury. We pray for complete healing and the ability to play sports again. For family members who need healing in their body. We pray for wholeness that glorifies God. For friends and family who don’t yet know God. We pray that each would search for Him with all their heart, strength, soul, and mind. For those battling breast cancer. We pray for remission and peace. For families experiencing housing difficulties. We pray for restoration and abundant support. For those who are changing careers. We pray for wisdom, guidance, and provision for their decisions. Amen and amen.
If you would like prayer for yourself or a family member from our Pastoral Care Team, you can request prayer inside your PrayerBox found inside your ShareBox. 9
Health & Wellness
An extra note from Amy
with Amy
Amy Hagen - BSN, RN, and VP of Medical Services
With the advent of social media and the reality of our ever-shrinking world, it is tempting to think that we have more relationships than ever. However, recent studies show that an increasing number of US adults say they don’t have close friends or relationships. Let’s take some time this month to explore the importance and impact of meaningful relationships for both our physical and mental health. The benefits of meaningful relationships are staggering. According to the American Psychological Association, those with friendships are not only less likely to suffer from depression and anxiety, but they are also less likely to die from all causes. And aside from, you know, staving off death, studies from the University of Utah report that loving relationships can reduce pain as well as bolster our immune systems. In addition to the obvious effects of feeling connected and reducing isolation induced mental illness, there sure are a lot of benefits to having friends! On the inverse, those without friendship and connection have an increased risk of premature death. The American Medical Association reports from a recent survey that 36% of all Americans feel intense loneliness. Due to its significant outcomes, it’s important to take loneliness seriously. Just as friendship can help combat a menagerie of ill health effects, loneliness can lead to higher risks of health issues like heart disease and high blood pressure. So how can you find meaningful relationships? Looking for groups in your area that participate in hobbies that you enjoy is a great place to start. Additionally, finding volunteer opportunities is an excellent way to interact with people who share your values and passions. Finally, if you haven’t already, consider joining a church community to connect with others through intentional worship and community (which is as great as Psalm 133 says)! As you can see, it’s important to try and cultivate meaningful relationships in your life – the ripples can reach further than you would think! Thankfully, as believers, we have the benefit of the love of God and the friendship of Jesus, the one who did the ultimate act of friendship, as written in John 15. And here at Liberty HealthShare we are grateful for the community that we have as we share into one another’s burdens! 10
F A
Frequently Asked
Q
questions
• F
Each month, we gather the questions that our members ask the most. As a supplement to the work of our wonderful team of member specialists, check back here each month to get your queries answered.
A Q •
Why is there a 60-Day Lookback rule?
F
This guideline was put into place to protect our active sharing members and their SharePower by discouraging people from joining Liberty HealthShare for a short period of time, submitting a significant number of medical expenses, and then leaving. This forced our members to share expenses of people who were not interested in being a part of our sharing community.
A Q •
As stated in our Sharing Guidelines (Section IV.A.3), expenses incurred or submitted within 60 days of a member’s change in active status are not eligible for sharing. Our ministry takes seriously the biblical mandate to “share one another’s burdens,” and we take seriously the need to protect our members and their SharePower.
F A Q •
How much does it cost for each member on my program beyond 4?
F
For each member on a sharing program beyond 4 there is an additional monthly share amount of $65. This was effective on January 1, 2024. An email notification of this, along with a 3% increase in monthly share amounts, was sent to members on November 1, 2023. Additionally, a table outlining the changes was made available in the Resources/Membership Information section of your ShareBox.
A Q •
These modest increases were necessary to help offset the skyrocketing cost of healthcare and inflation.
F A
Has the login process for the HST Connect website changed?
Q •
According to HST Connect, the service will be transitioning to utilizing MultiFactor authentication to improve online security. With this change, the username portion of a member’s HST login information is replaced with their email address.
F A
When logging into HST Connect, members should now use the primary member's email and password, not their username. If you haven’t yet registered with HST Connect, you can easily do so by visiting hstconnect.com/lhs and clicking on the “sign up here” link.
Q 11
At first blush, many would not understand the complexity and importance of Nina Esway’s position as Front Desk Attendant. A more nuanced look, however, illustrates how this self-described introvert has flourished in this role as the first face many encounter when they visit Liberty HealthShare, all while maintaining strict security standards dictating entry into the building. A Canton native, Esway recently completed her first year with the ministry and enjoys the varied responsibilities associated with her role.
employee
SPOT LIGHT
“I love my job,” said Esway. “I love being able to be the person who welcomes visitors to Liberty HealthShare. That first impression is so important. I also enjoy being at a central place where my colleagues are coming and going throughout the day. It gives me an opportunity to help them with anything they may need and to understand the good things happening as a result of our hard work.” Additionally, Esway takes great pride in the way she enforces the organization’s strict HIPAA compliant security procedures related to entry into the building. “I work very closely with our security staff, and we take that responsibility extremely seriously,” said Esway. “It’s sometimes difficult for people to understand, but we must be very guarded about who enters our facility. You have to be firm and consistent, while still being polite.” Esway matriculated to Liberty HealthShare after a career that included lengthy stops at Blue Cross Blue Shield, Canton City Schools, and Canton Montessori School.
NEinswaay
Front Desk Attendant
“I really enjoyed my time in the schools,” said Esway. “I was able to contribute to each organization in a variety of ways. It made me feel like I was making a difference.” When not at work, Esway enjoys time with her three grown children: son, Jack, and daughters, Olivia and Gianna. “We love the beach. It’s been a few years since we’ve been able to get there so we’re looking forward to an upcoming trip.”
I love my job. I love... being a central place [for]
As Liberty HealthShare’s gatekeeper, Esway starts each day with a positive frame of mind.
my colleagues;
“I’m a morning person and I can’t wait to get here most days,” said Esway. “I know the importance of doing all parts of my job well.”
opportunity... to
it gives me an understand the
good things
happening as a result of our 12
hard work.
Important Liberty HealthShare
Member Information
HST Connect: Provider Network Visit hstconnect.com/lhs or call 855-585-4237 Provider Submits Medical Billing to: EDI Payor ID: 90753 Liberty HealthShare PO Box 35691 | Canton, OH 44735 Nominate A Provider If a provider is not in the PHCS network and you would like to nominate a provider, please provide this link to the provider: https://www.multiplan.us/members/ ShareBox Important Membership Tools • Access Sharing Guidelines • Review medical expenses • View your AUA and sharing history • Check status of submitted expenses • View/change contact information • PrayerBox - request and provide prayer Prenotification If your provider prescribes a non-urgent treatment, testing procedure, or surgery, please send us a prenotification request form found in your ShareBox. An electronic prenotification form is available for your provider in our Provider Portal. Urgent prenotifications should be called into our Prenote department at855-585-4237.
Member Services Need Member Services support? We encourage you to use ShareBox or call us at 855-585-4237. You may also email us at info@libertyhealthshare.org. We will address your inquiry as soon as possible.
How to Update Your Membership It’s important to keep your membership information, such as your address and contact information, up-to-date in your ShareBox. This can help improve sharing times for you and all of our members. Log into your ShareBox.
On the left-hand side click on “MEMBERSHIP,” and review your email, phone, and address to ensure they are correct. You can also make program changes, update your sharing name, or update your share funding. Enrollment Anniversary On the anniversary of your enrollment date, you will be charged $75 in renewal dues in addition to your suggested monthly share amount. Submit Medical Expenses Within 180 Days Providers need to submit an expense within 180 days of your medical service. You can monitor submitted expenses in your ShareBox. Depositing and Cashing Checks When you receive a check from Liberty HealthShare, please deposit or cash it as soon as possible. When an expense is matched to a contribution, the funds are immediately available. However, as a security precaution, checks may not be deposited after 90 days, so it’s important to deposit or cash a check when it’s received. Member Payments All monthly shares should be sent via ShareBox. If you are unable to access your ShareBox, mail your monthly share to the following address: Payee: Gospel Light DBA Liberty HealthShare Payment Address: PO Box 771972, Detroit, Michigan 48277-1972
Telehealth, Discount Program Reminder New members should look for and access their digital Careington “Welcome Kit” for our cost savings tools, telehealth for physical and mental health, and discounts on prescriptions, dental and vision care, and LASIK surgery. Our cost saving programs, located on the dashboard section of ShareBox, are provided to members of Liberty Unite, Liberty Connect, and Liberty Essential for free. Liberty Rise members are offered these services, but pay a fee to the telehealth provider when they utilize it. If you have questions, please call 833-317-4347. This program is not an insurance company nor is it offered through an insurance company. This program does not guarantee or promise that your medical bills will be shared or assigned to others for payment. No other member will be compelled to contribute toward the cost of your medical bills. Sharing toward any medical bill you might have by another member is completely voluntary. This program should never be considered a substitute for an insurance policy. This program is not regulated by any state insurance agency, and your liabilities are not covered by any fund, public or private. Whether or not you receive any payments for medical expenses and whether or not Liberty HealthShare continues to operate, you are always liable for any unpaid bills.
4455 Hills & Dales Rd. NW | Canton, OH 44708
13
vision
To build a healthcare sharing community which exemplifies Jesus Christ and empowers like-minded people to manage their health care journey.
mission
Shepherd the Christian tradition of healthcare sharing through prayer, education, personal responsibility, and stewardship of the community's resources.
values
Faith-based Member-focused Accountable Innovative Compassionate