Health Sharing Ministries as alternative to health insurance

by Dawn Pitman
(Navarre, FL)

Our church has opted out of traditional health insurance and instead recommend (not required) that our pastors join a health sharing ministry such as Samaritan Ministries.

They pay a monthly "share" amount to another member of the health sharing ministry for needed health costs.

Can this be considered a non-taxed benefit whether included in our pastors pay to cover that expense or paid for by the church directly. I'm thinking either way it's taxable but wanted to confirm.