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Melita Christian Fellowship Hospital Aid Plan

EIN 81-1012267 · Tempe, AZ

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak13 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

A HEALTH CARE SHARING MINISTRY THAT PROVIDES AN ALTERNATIVE WAY TO FUND HEALTH CARE COSTS WHILE PROTECTING AND PRACTICING OUR CATHOLIC BELIEFS.

Income
$11.4 million
Spending
$13.4 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
-0.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 93%
Employees
72
Volunteers
4
Highest pay
$353,844, secretary and ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 13 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (religion, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 115% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 46 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (religion, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $10.5 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION'S REVENUE DOES NOT INCLUDE THE $17,006,251 DEPOSITED IN MEMBERS INDIVIDUAL SHARING ACCOUNTS.THE ORGANIZATION IS A HEALTHCARE SHARING MINISTRY THAT ENGAGES IN RELIGIOUS AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES, PROMOTES HEALTH, AND ADVANCES SOCIAL WELFARE. THE HEALTHCARE SHARING MINISTRY WAS INITIALLY FOUNDED BY THE MELITA CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP AND LATER EXPANDED TO INCLUDE PERSONS WHO FOLLOW CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHINGS. MEMBERS ARE JOINED TOGETHER BY A SHARED RELIGIOUS FAITH AND COMMON GOAL OF MUTUAL AID AND FINANCIAL SHARING. BECAUSE JESUS CHRIST COMMISSIONED HIS DISCIPLES NOT ONLY TO PREACH THE GOSPEL BUT TO HEAL THE SICK (MATTHEW 10:8), CONCERN FOR THE BODY IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE FOR CHRISTIANS, PARTICULARLY FOR CATHOLICS. INFORMED BY CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING, THE ORGANIZATION ASSISTS ITS MEMBERS IN ACCESSING MEDICAL CARE, EVEN AFTER A MEMBER DEVELOPS A MEDICAL CONDITION. THE ORGANIZATION'S HYBRID REPRICING STRATEGY THAT INCLUDES REFERENCE-BASED DISCOUNTS ON MEDICAL BILLS, MEDICAL BILL REVIEW, SINGLE CASE AGREEMENTS, AND PREFERRED PROVIDER RELATIONSHIPS HELPS TO REDUCE THE TOTAL COST OF MEDICAL EXPENSES ON BEHALF OF OUR MEMBERS. MEMBERS SUBMITTED $67,685,206 IN ELIGIBLE MEDICAL BILLS FOR SHARING TO THE ORGANIZATION. THE ORGANIZATION'S DISCOUNTING EFFORTS REDUCED THE BILLS BY 65% TO $23,554,371. SINCE ITS INCEPTION, THE ORGANIZATION HAS HELPED FACILITATE THE SHARING AMONG MEMBERS OF MORE THAN $168 MILLION, IN SATISFACTION OF OVER $451 MILLION OF MEDICAL EXPENSES, WHILE ALSO WORKING TO PROTECT THE CONSCIENCE RIGHTS OF ITS MEMBERS AND PROMOTE THE COMMON GOOD OF ALL BY ADVOCATING FOR MORE TRANSPARENT PRICING IN THE HEALTHCARE MARKETPLACE.MEMBERS OF THE ORGANIZATION SUBMIT A MONTHLY CONTRIBUTION CONSISTING OF A MONTHLY SHARE AMOUNT, ADMINISTRATIVE FEE AND PROGRAM SERVICES FEE. PREVIOUSLY, THE MONTHLY SHARE AMOUNT WAS REPORTED ON THE 990 AS INCOME TO THE ORGANIZATION SINCE THE MONEY FOR SHARING WAS DEPOSITED INTO A CUSTODIAL ACCOUNT ON BEHALF OF THE MEMBERS. STARTING IN SEPTEMBER 2020, THE MONTHLY SHARE AMOUNT RECEIVED FROM MEMBERS WAS DEPOSITED INTO SEPARATE MEMBER ESTABLISHED ACCOUNTS AT HELD BY A THIRD-PARTY BANK. THE ACCOUNTS ARE OWNED BY THE MEMBER AND THE BANK ACTS AS A FIDUCIARY FOR THE MEMBER. SINCE THESE NEW ACCOUNTS ARE HELD AS A FOR BENEFIT OF (FBO) ACCOUNT ON BEHALF OF THE MEMBER BY THE CREDIT UNION AND THE SHARING DOLLARS CAN ONLY BE USED FOR SHARING MEDICAL EXPENSES AMONG ALL OF THE MEMBERS, IT WILL NO LONGER BE REPORTED AS INCOME TO THE ORGANIZATION BUT WILL STILL BE REPORTED ON THE 990 AND THE YEARLY AUDITS AS SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION.THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES SERVICES TO OUR MEMBERS TO ASSIST THEM IN ACCESSING MEDICAL CARE TO INCLUDE A HYBRID REPRICING STRATEGY THAT INCLUDES REFERENCE-BASED DISCOUNTS ON MEDICAL BILLS, MEDICAL BILL REVIEW, SINGLE CASE AGREEMENTS, AND PREFERRED PROVIDER RELATIONSHIPS TO REDUCE THE TOTAL COST OF MEDICAL EXPENSES ON BEHALF OF OUR MEMBERS. WE ALSO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR CARE NAVIGATION, CARE COORDINATION, NURSE MEDICAL REVIEW, BALANCE BILL DEFENSE, PASTORAL CARE SUPPORT, AND MEMBER EDUCATION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Worth knowing.

    The IRS does not require this organization to file annual returns.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since July 2016.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.