Solidarity HealthShare President Chris Faddis joins The BS Show to discuss Solidarity LEGACY, our new healthcare sharing program designed for individuals age 65+ enrolled in Medicare Parts A & B. With unlimited sharing, a $500 Annual Unshared Amount, and no pre-existing condition limitations, LEGACY helps Members manage eligible Medicare Part B out-of-pocket coinsurance costs while continuing to be part of a faith-based healthcare sharing community. Listen to the interview or read the transcript below.
Bob Sansevere (00:00):
We are joined by Christopher Faddis, co-founder and president of the nonprofit healthcare sharing ministry, Solidarity HealthShare, which is an ethical, affordable alternative to traditional health insurance and is faithful to the moral teachings of the Catholic church. Chris, the thing about Solidarity, well, many things, but one of them is you don’t stand still. You’re always doing something to add different layers and different packages for your members. And one of them that could be very exciting and helpful to people who are 65 plus is you’re offering Solidarity Legacy. And that’s basically for people. If you had known anything about Medicare, the primary coverage is good, but most people still face a 20% co-insurance. And you’re offering now for your members 65 plus who have Medicare and then enrolled are in Medicare A and B. And basically this is an opportunity to share in the Part B out-of-pocket co-insurance after Medicare processes their claims.
(01:01):
And I mean, it’s a way to not have to spend a lot of money out of pocket and it’s an alternative now to other types of plans and it could be a cheaper one for a lot of people as well.
Chris Faddis (01:13):
Yeah, I’m pretty excited about it, Bob. I think, as you know, we’ve done a senior discount on our regular plans for a long time.
Bob Sansevere (01:18):
Yes.
Chris Faddis (01:19):
,Which obviously if people want some more bells and whistles that aren’t included in Medicare, that’s a good option. But we’ve needed for a long time to be able to serve this population of folks who said, “Hey, we just need help with the out-of-pocket.” We really did a lot of research on what was out there, what we could do. Bob, a lot of our members, I think it’s about 25%, when they leave, it’s because they’re going on Medicare. We though, “Well, this is a way we can continue to serve those folks.” It’s a pretty simple program. You have a $500 out-of-pocket, your annual unshared amount, and if you’re under 75, you pay, I think it’s around 100 bucks a month, 98 bucks a month, something like that. Then all of those copays are shared with you. So you get your explanation of benefits from Medicare that says, “Hey, this hospital visit you owe $1,000, Medicare paid this much.” Then you just send that explanation of benefits in and then we share it.
(02:18):
There’s no repricing, there’s no negotiating, there’s nothing. It’s pretty simple. And then we’re able to have the members share that bill. That’s a great way to help manage those costs for folks and the out-of-pocket, the copays. Obviously, some years that’s really not much, but I mean it can add up if you’re going to your cardiologist and your internist and you have an ER visit, you know what I mean?
Bob Sansevere (02:39):
Yup.
Chris Faddis (02:40):
You really do add up pretty significantly.
Bob Sansevere (02:42):
Well, and the other thing that’s interesting or beneficial for people, on a lot of Medicare, people are paying their Part B where they pay to have that extra insurance. They’re paying 250 bucks or more a month. I mean, that’s a big savings for people because then you’re talking about what, 2,500 to 3,000 a year that you’re paying here, you’d be paying. Well, you have the 500 out of pocket and 98. I mean, you’re saving two thirds of it is going back into your pocket. That’s a big benefit because it does hit you a lot of people. Yeah, for sure. There’s more to this program too, because you also got a Solidarity Care card too that that’s an option, an add-on that they could have. Telehealth is part of it.
Chris Faddis (03:29):
Telehealth and the dental and vision discounts. Obviously, if you’re doing Parts A and B, you may have the Medicare prescription as well, but we also offer an add-on for generic prescription. It’s a $0 copay. I don’t remember the price we have for that, Bob, but you can add that on. It’s roughly a thousand generic prescriptions out there that will just be $0 copay at the counter and you just get them. So it’s a great way to help manage those costs. I know a lot of seniors, maybe they have Part D and they’ve got their prescription, but they’ve also got other programs. And many times you find out they’re paying a lot out of pocket for a lot of different programs to try to manage this one thing.
Bob Sansevere (04:08):
Yup.
Chris Faddis (04:09):
So we tried to give as best we could. This is where it’s simple. Now, the price does go up once you turn 75. There’s a higher tier for that. But again, I think it’s a manageable cost. I think it’s going to be a very simple program. It’s a way for people to stay a part of the Solidarity community, which we’re very excited about. Again, we always have the more comprehensive option if people want that.
Bob Sansevere (04:33):
Now, let’s say you have Medicare, you’re not on Solidarity now. I mean, people that aren’t on Solidarity now can still come and join the Legacy program, correct? Or just get the LEGACY program.
Chris Faddis (04:45):
Brand new. Exactly. The other thing about this Solidarity LEGACY Program for Medicare is there is no preexisting conditions, Bob. So for folks, normally with the healthcare sharing, that is a limitation. In this case, that’s not a limitation. So they can join, they can be part of it, they can share those out-of-pocket expenses, and we’re happy to have them and be there to support them.
Bob Sansevere (05:07):
Again, it’s terrific to have that option. And as I mentioned a little bit ago, the fact that telehealth is part of that also, because that could be pricey. I mean, my doctor is, I think it’s more of a forced retirement. He had some health issues and I got to find another doctor. I was talking to someone about visiting with a new doctor and just to meet the doctor, they want whatever it is, 600 bucks. You know what I mean? It’s ridiculous. And I said, “Well, what about the rest of my family? Because they’re going to need new…” Well, they have to meet with her too. And I said, “We all have to pay. Can’t we all come together?” Everything. Yeah. So I’m not saying it’s a scam, but it’s not ideal. We’ll put it that way. Hey, let me ask this question. Can telehealth doctors, and I don’t know the answer because I’ve never inquired about it, and it might be a stupid question, but can a telehealth doctor not prescribe.
(06:00):
I know they can prescribe medications, but can they renew medications? I mean, do you have that ability where if they got a hold of whatever your meds are, and if you need monthly meds or every few months, they could then say, “Okay, we’ll re-prescribe it for you.”
Chris Faddis (06:15):
Yeah, it depends on the medication, but they can do that. It just depends on what you have. They’ll have to be able to have access to those records or have something.
Bob Sansevere (06:23):
Oh, of course.
Chris Faddis (06:25):
But yeah, that can happen. It will depend on the situation with our program just because they’re not in your doctor’s records and those kind of things, but it is possible for sure for them to prescribe. In fact, Bob, one of the first times I ever used DialCare was the first time I’d ever gone to Oregon and I got there and we were at the beach at first, so I didn’t have any issues. And then we went into Beaverton, Willamette Valley area where it’s very lush with trees and everything. And I don’t know, maybe two hours in, my allergies are just flaring up like crazy. I was able to call Dialcare and, well, first of all, I went to the pharmacy because in Arizona I can just go get Claritin D or Allegra-D, whatever. I could get those prescriptions with the decongestant. Well, in Oregon, they have such a drug problem, you can’t get them without a prescription. And so, I’m like, “What am I going to do?” Luckily I had Dialcare and that was the perfect example, but I know other people have certainly used it for needing a new prescription. Again, a lot of times it’s traveling and they forgot that their prescription was up for renewal and they’re out, so they’ve got to get it. So it is a great, great tool for those kinds of circumstances.
Bob Sansevere (07:36):
Absolutely. One thing about Dialcare, which is your telehealth, the savings I’ve had over the years by not going to. It used to be 300, 400 bucks. Now it’s like six to 700 just for a doctor’s visit. You could save on that just by calling Telehealth. And that makes it for many people, it makes Solidarity HealthShare worthwhile just to have that. It’s a great benefit to have that telehealth.
Chris Faddis (08:00):
Yeah, it really is. And again, I don’t think people use it enough, to be honest with you, Bob. It’s such a great way when you’re dealing with various things going on in your family, especially.
Bob Sansevere (08:06):
Oh, I know.
Chris Faddis (08:11):
And certainly it’s good to still have your doctor, your specialist like you’re talking about, but you don’t necessarily need to go to them every single time. Right now we’ve got family with kids with different illnesses and if it weren’t for the fact that one of my kids has a follow-up with their pediatrician, my wife would just be on the phone with telehealth and get it over with. But since they’re going in, you try to get that little bonus care while you’re already going in.
Bob Sansevere (08:36):
Well, and the other thing that can keep in mind, over the last few years, you’ve added things for young people to make it more affordable for them. And now you’ve added this LEGACY program, which is for People 65 plus. You’re really trying to basically appeal to every and help every age group out there to save money. I give kudos for that because it’s a great opportunity for people just to be able to look at it. And people need to go to solidarityhealthshare.org if you’re looking for an alternative to traditional healthcare because you’re going to find the pricing is much, much more reasonable.
Chris Faddis (09:12):
Yeah, definitely. Check out solidarityhealthshare.org. Visit, look at that Solidarity LEGACY program. And then also, yeah, Bob, as you said, for the young folks, look at the Solidarity Savvy Program because it’s a great, very comprehensive for young adults in their 20s, 18 to 29, but it really focuses on the things they really need, but is also comprehensive like our normal programs. I think it’s a great way, but affordable way for them to budget their healthcare in.
Bob Sansevere (09:41):
Absolutely. Solidarityhealthshare.org. Chris Faddis, president and co-founder of Solidarity. Chris, thanks so much. Take a quick break. The BS Show will be right back.