If you followed the links I posted in this week’s money blog carnival roundup, you may be wondering what Samaritan Ministries can do for your health care expenses.

Here’s the direct link - and here’s the frequently asked questions.

Samaritan Ministries is a program that is set up for Christians to help each other with medical bills, while still maintaining personal responsibility for their finances. It is not an insurance company, it is a way to help you pay for health expenses as a “cash customer” to the hospital or clinic.

You are expected to cover the first $300 of a medical bill on your own.

Members also must be professing Christians who attend church on a regular basis and be accountable to a pastor or church leader for the needs they submit to the organization. There are other guidelines regarding pre-existing conditions and injuries from motor vehicle accidents. Be sure to read all the details so you understand how the program works.

One of the unique aspects of Samaritan Ministries is that participants not only have a network of people who will help pay for your medical bills — they also build up a network of people who will pray for the ill or injured person and the family during a medical situation.