Churches are built on community and care of others in that community. They reach out to help those in need, guide people through life’s ups and downs, and provide a place of hope and peace. But while churches focus on helping others, it’s just as important to take care of the people who serve within them. Pastors, ministry leaders, and staff dedicate their time, energy, and hearts to the church team that they work in and serve on. They work long hours, often sacrificing their own well-being for the sake of their congregation.
One of the biggest challenges many churches face is providing health benefits. Traditional group health plans can be expensive, and budgets are stretched very thin right now. That doesn’t mean churches can’t offer some valuable support to these church leaders. Supplemental health insurance is an affordable way to help staff handle unexpected medical expenses, giving them peace of mind and financial protection when they need it most.
Taking Care of Those Who Serve the Church
Ministry work is a calling rather than a job. The people who work in a church do it because they believe in the mission. Many church staff members juggle many responsibilities, working long hours to serve their congregation. They counsel families, lead worship, plan events, and keep church operations running smoothly. They are always giving of themselves.
Offering church health insurance is hard on those church budgets, but providing supplemental health insurance to cover out of pocket healthcare costs is one way a church can give back to its staff. It’s a way to say, “We see the hard work you do, and we care about your well-being.” When employees know their church values them, they feel supported and encouraged to continue their ministry. A little bit of help with medical expenses can go a long way in showing appreciation.
Bridging the Gap in Coverage
Not every church can afford to provide full health insurance, and even when they do, many plans have gaps in coverage. High deductibles, limited coverage, and out-of-pocket costs can make simple medical care expensive for employees. Some staff members may rely on spouses' insurance, some on the ACA Exchange, while others may not have any coverage at all.
Supplemental health insurance can help fill those gaps even though they don’t replace traditional group health plans. They do provide financial resources when medical costs arise. Whether it’s covering hospital stays, emergency care, or even a serious illness, having a extra support can make a big difference.
Attracting and Keeping Great Staff
A strong church staff helps keep a ministry running smoothly. Churches want to bring in the best senior pastors, ministers, and support staff to serve their community. But hiring and keeping great people isn’t just about faith. It’s also about making them feel valued.
Many church employees accept lower salaries because they love the work, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have real-life needs. Offering benefits, even small ones, can help churches attract and keep dedicated staff members from higher job satisfaction. When employees know their health is valued, they are more likely to stay committed to their work and remain with the church long-term.
Churches, just like any other workplace, need a strong team to function well. Providing benefits to help cover healthcare expenses shows that the church cares about the people behind the ministry, not just the work they do.
Protect Staff from Unexpected Medical Costs
Medical emergencies don’t wait for a convenient time. A sudden accident, a cancer diagnosis, or a hospital stay can happen to anyone at any time. When it does, the impact can be overwhelming to the financial stability of the family.
Unexpected medical bills can be a heavy burden for all of us, but especially church employees. Hospital stays, treatments, and time off work can add up quickly. Creating a supportive environment to help cover some of the healthcare costs can help provide financial stability.
Supplemental health insurance can help protect staff from these unexpected expenses. By providing cash payments that can be used for medical bills, groceries, or other daily expenses while recovering, your church community extends help at a fraction of the cost a special collection would require.
How Churches Can Provide Supplemental Health Insurance
Understanding why churches should offer supplemental health benefits is important, but knowing how to do it is just as valuable. There are three key types of supplemental insurance that can provide meaningful support to church staff without overwhelming the church’s budget. These three types of individual coverage can be packaged together or offered simply as a stand alone form of protection.
Accident Insurance helps cover medical expenses related to unexpected injuries created by accidents. We all know that accidents happen. This type of insurance helps pay for emergency room visits, hospital stays, and other treatment costs after an injury. It can also provide cash benefits that employees can use for lost income, transportation, or any other expenses related to recovery. But it is important to remember that it does not replace workers compensation insurance!
Critical Illness Insurance offers financial help when an employee is diagnosed with a serious illness like cancer, a heart attack, or a stroke. These life changing types of conditions can lead to long hospital stays, expensive treatments, and time away from work.
These plans come in two different distribution formats. One is a lump sum upon diagnosis and the other is a reimbursement for out of pocket expenses along the treatment plan. The best news is that they have a positive impact on the finances of the affected staff member.
Indemnity Insurance provides cash benefits when an employee receives medical care that is clearly defined by the policy. Whether it’s a planned surgery or an unexpected emergency, healthcare expenses can be expensive. This coverage helps ease the financial burden by giving employees money to cover medical bills created while your full time staff are getting the care they need. It’s a simple way for your church community to provide support when staff members need it most.
Supporting Church Staff with the Right Benefits
Churches don’t have deep pocket, but that doesn't mean they can't offer meaningful support for healthcare expenses to their employees. Providing a way for your people to have the personal care they need for their health is important!
Supplemental health insurance plans are an affordable way to provide financial protection, peace of mind, and appreciation for those who serve. These plans help bridge the gap in healthcare coverage, ease financial stress, and reinforce the church’s mission of care. The local, Texas agents that work at Insurance For Texans help church leadership provide these options everyday through our True Texas Church Insurance program.
We work with your senior leadership to understand your unique needs, desires, and budget constraints to find customized solutions for all church sizes across Texas. If you are not ready for a traditional group health plan solution, it is ok. Our experienced church insurance experts can help your church find authentic care for your church team.
Click the button below to start a conversation to help you find a plan that works for your ministry and the people who make it thrive.