It is a self-funded group plan, and as a church plan it has some flexibility within federal regulations and reduces the administrative burden for congregations.
We invite you to consider the options for how your congregation can participate, and the benefits for each option.
Confirm your eligibility (see below), and then fill out this Request for Information Form (in English o español) and submit it to Everence at denise.henke@everence.com.
This Plan Overview / Descripción General del Plan provides a summary of The Corinthian Plan for 2026.
The expandable sections below provide additional information important to congregations and area conferences (the employers).
How to enroll:
When Can We Enroll?
If your congregation is currently participating at any level (through a minimum contribution if you have no eligible employees, or a waiver fee for eligible employees waiving coverage, or enrolled in health insurance), you can add coverage for eligible employees or dependents within 90 days of date of hire or change in eligibility. Coverage, and premiums, will back-date to the date of hire or change in status.
Outside of the Open Enrollment period (November 1-December 31 for coverage beginning the next January 1), if your congregation is eligible but not yet participating, you can begin coverage for eligible employees or dependents outside of open enrollment, subject to medical underwriting.
Open enrollment: Each year from November 1-December 31, for coverage beginning January 1, any currently participating congregation or other MCUSA congregation can enroll. Watch the website and newsletter and other MCUSA communications for more information.
Questions? We recognize there is a lot of nuance here around eligibility and enrollment. The Summary Plan Description will have additional details, and of course please contact the Director at SusanB@MennoniteUSA.org or Everence at denise.henke@everence.com with your questions.
Denominational Foundation. In 2007, the sense of urgency to provide consistent health coverage for pastors and church workers was affirmed by the Delegate Body of MC USA in San Jose, CA. At the Assembly the Delegates approved a resolution stating: “We request the Executive Board to oversee the development and implementation of a plan whereby all…congregations participate together in an arrangement that covers all our pastors with basic health insurance.”
Theological Foundation. This led to the development of The Corinthian Plan, with the name symbolizing a vision that would go beyond “normal” health care coverage offered at that time. The Corinthian Plan seeks to live out a sharing and mutual aid in Christian community that is foundational to its core values and structure. Specifically, The Corinthian Plan references II Corinthians 8: 1 -15; 9: 6-15. These Scripture verses call the newly forming church to recognize the needs of in their community in such a way that those with means would share with those in need.
Faithful Commitment. The Corinthian Plan launched coverage for pastors and other church workers January 1, 2010 with around 67% participation of MC USA congregations.
Congregations have shown a faithful commitment to the understanding that The Corinthian Plan is not just a group pool for health coverage, but it is a program of sharing that has allowed broader health care access for congregations, pastors, and church workers.
Practical Benefits. In addition to the theological and denominational foundations of participating in The Corinthian Plan, there are practical benefits as well.
More than $3 million dollars has been shared through The Corinthian Plan since its inception in 2010 to assist congregations carrying The Corinthian Plan health coverage!
Subsidies reduce the monthly premium for qualifying congregations, allowing health coverage to be offered to their staff. The subsidy benefit covers a cross-section of MC USA congregations, from rural to urban to new church starts and long-standing congregations.
The subsidy money comes directly from each congregation participating in The Corinthian Plan. It is a form of mutual aid. Each congregation pays $10 x average attendance for an annual figure.
Are you a congregation that struggles to afford the premiums for your staff? Read these Subsidy Guidelines, Subsidy Application, and contact the Director for more information.
The Corinthian Plan offers a comprehensive benefit plan that you can offer your eligible pastor and other church employees. The 2026 Plan Details page will give specific information about the options. Here are the basics:
There are a lot of details related to each of these benefit options. Please refer to the 2026 Plan Overview and the 2026 Plan Details page for more information, or contact Denise at denise.henke@everence.com with your questions.
Importance of Benefits when Hiring. Hiring a new pastor is an exciting time, but also filled with many new tasks and details for lay leaders in the congregation (the employer). Maybe your previous pastors had Medicare coverage, or were covered through a spouse’s plan, and you didn’t need to provide health insurance, but you’d like to provide insurance for your new hire.
Providing health insurance for your pastors and staff is part of providing for their well-being. Mennonite Church USA envisions all congregations provide access to health coverage for their pastors and staff. We strongly recommend that a family health coverage plan be provided for the pastor and the pastor’s family, and that congregations play the full premium as they are able. If enrolled with The Corinthian Plan, congregations must pay at least 50% of each participant’s premiums, and if not able to cover the full premium, are encouraged to be as generous as possible.
During the search and hiring process: As you develop your salary and benefits package for a new hire, you can request a quote from Everence to know how much premiums would cost. (Fill out the Request for Information form (in English o español) and submit it to Everence at denise.henke@everence.com. There is a base rate which is adjusted by the age, sex, and location of the participant. The quote will include rates for self-only coverage, or with a spouse and/or dependents.
You can enroll your new staff within 90 days of hire, and the coverage (and premiums) will backdate to their date of hire.
Continuation of Coverage. If staff enrolled in The Corinthian Plan leave their position, they are eligible for Continuation Coverage (similar to COBRA) for 18 months, or until becoming entitled to Medicare benefits. Premiums plus a 2% administration fee will be billed to the covered employee on a month-to-month basis. (See the Summary Plan Description for more information.) When you submit the Cancelation Form, we can start this process for you and your staff.
Porting Coverage. A benefit of The Corinthian Plan and its nationwide provider network through Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield is that if an employee moves to a new congregation, they can take their coverage with them, and they wouldn’t need to start over on a new deductible, as long as coverage continues until the new effective date. If there is a gap between employment, the employee should be on Continuation Coverage until starting with the new congregation.
If the new congregation isn’t already participating in The Corinthian Plan, they can join without delay. If the new congregation has other employees who would be eligible for The Corinthian Plan, they would need to enroll in or waive coverage when the new employee porting coverage begins.
Effective pastoral ministry contributes to vitality in the local church. What can a local congregation do to create an environment for effective pastoral ministry? Mennonite Church USA has identified five key areas that, when done well, can contribute to pastoral health, effectiveness, and longevity in ministry.
One of those is The Corinthian Plan. Another is this Checklist for Cultivating Pastor Wellbeing. We invite you to use this checklist to engage with your pastor(s) in conversations about creating a healthy and fulfilling work environment.
When a congregation supports its pastor’s wellbeing, the whole church benefits.
About the Reporting: The Affordable Care Act (ACA) created new reporting requirements which require your church to file information with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) about the health plan coverage it offers.
The Section 6055 reporting will be accomplished using Forms 1094-B and 1095-B.
How to File: In January, Everence will mail each congregation with someone enrolled in health coverage some instructions and covered person information to assist you. You must complete IRS Forms 1094-B and 1095-B.
In 2026, to avoid a penalty for the congregation, you, on behalf of the congregation, must:
Please refer to these instructions, samples, and forms (also included in the Forms and Documents section below):
