About The Corinthian Plan

It is a question of fair balance between your present abundance and their need… in order that there may be a fair balance.

2 Corinthians 8: 13-14

History of The Corinthian Plan

In 2007, the sense of urgency to provide consistent health coverage for pastors and church workers was affirmed by the Delegate Body of Mennonite Church USA. 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.”

That resolution led to the development of ‘The Corinthian Plan’, a name chosen to reflect a vision that went beyond standard coverage. Rooted in the mutual aid principles of 2 Corinthians 8–9, the plan was designed not just to provide basic coverage, but to make a genuine investment in the health of pastors and church leaders.

Read more about the history here .

Mutual Aid

II Corinthians 8: 1 -15 and 9: 6-15 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. The Corinthian Plan is a tangible way for Mennonite congregations to participate in this form of mutual aid. The innovative design demonstrates mutual aid in two ways:

  • Community Rating means all participating churches share the benefit of low claims and the impact of high ones–none bear catastrophic costs alone. This was especially important before the passage of the Affordable Care Act, when those with pre-existing conditions could be priced out of coverage.
  • The Fair Balance Fund is funded by each congregation at an annual amount of $10 x average weekly attendance, and provides direct subsidies to congregations that cannot afford the full cost of coverage.

Did you know? The Corinthian Plan has provided over $3 million in subsidies to date for congregations–both new and old, urban and rural–through this prophetic vision of mutual aid in practice.

Read more about Mutual Aid & Our Values here.

Governance:

The Corinthian Plan is a ministry of Mennonite Church USA and part of the Church Vitality team. It is overseen by the Church Benefits Board which is appointed by Mennonite Church USA. It contracts with Everence to provide third-party administrative services.

FAQ and Required Notices:

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is The Corinthian Plan a Health Care Sharing Ministry, or is it more like traditional health insurance?

A: The Corinthian Plan is a self-funded church plan — much closer to traditional health insurance than to a Health Care Sharing Ministry (HCSM). Here’s how they differ:

The Corinthian Plan:

  • Complies with the Affordable Care Act and provides a defined, guaranteed level of coverage
  • Does not exclude anyone for pre-existing conditions
  • Claims are processed through Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield with a standard provider network
  • No balance billing surprises or lifetime benefit maximums
  • Offers the stability and predictability of a group plan administered by Everence

Health Care Sharing Ministries:

  • Are not insurance and are not required to comply with the ACA
  • May appear lower cost, but typically come with significant restrictions on what claims are reimbursable
  • Can exclude members based on pre-existing conditions or lifestyle factors
  • May apply balance billing, lifetime maximums, or caps on reimbursements
  • Reimbursement is not guaranteed; it depends on the pool of available funds

For congregations seeking reliable, predictable health coverage for their pastors and staff, The Corinthian Plan offers the accountability and security of a regulated plan, along with the added value of mutual aid, wellness support, and denominational grounding.

Q: With the Affordable Care Act in place, is The Corinthian Plan still needed?

A: Yes, and here’s why.

The Corinthian Plan actually predated the ACA, launching in 2010 with a commitment that no one would be excluded for pre-existing conditions, before that protection existed in law. We were glad to see the ACA extend that protection to everyone, and we’ve continued to evolve alongside it.

The ACA made individual health coverage more accessible, but it didn’t eliminate the value of what The Corinthian Plan offers:

Competitive coverage. Our current plans are comparable to gold or silver level marketplace plans, at competitive rates, and with the added advantage of a group plan structure that individual marketplace shoppers don’t have access to.

Real advantages for congregations. Rather than leaving each pastor or staff member to navigate the individual marketplace on their own, The Corinthian Plan allows congregations to offer group-style coverage — a meaningful benefit in attracting and retaining ministry staff.

Distinctives that go beyond coverage. Wellness incentives, mutual aid through the Fair Balance Fund, and being rooted in the Mennonite Church USA community are not things you can find on the marketplace. These distinctives led Mennonite Church USA and the Church Benefits Board to affirm that The Corinthian Plan is worth sustaining.

The ACA changed the landscape, but it didn’t change the call to care for the people who serve our congregations.

Q: There are so many details and documents. Where do I start?

A: Start with a conversation. Contact Director Susan Burkholder at SusanB@MennoniteUSA.org — she’s happy to answer questions, walk you through what’s relevant to your congregation’s situation, and point you to the right resources.

Required Notices