Health Plans

Provide Your Team Medical Coverage with Value and Values


Provide Medical Coverage with Value and Values

GuideStone is a church plan and non-profit entity, which allows us to offer unique benefits in our group health coverage, such as:

Biblical Values
Maintain your ministry’s biblical beliefs of life and family through our aligned plan design.
Benefit-Rich Plans
Gain access to group coverage (rich benefits, broad network, etc.) for as few as two participating employees.
Affordable Rates
Save an average of 28%* on monthly rates knowing that rates start low and stay low.

*Compared to estimated 2024 Texas, Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, small group community-rated exchange products. Results vary based on geography, demographics, network type, health status, carrier and state.

What We Offer

GuideStone offers a variety of plan designs to match your budget to your health care needs. No matter which one you choose, every health plan comes with GuideStone values. As you decide which plan is right for you and/or your ministry organization, consider three primary factors:

Budget
Staff needs
Plan benefits
Comprehensive Plans

Comprehensive plans offer a full range of benefits and access to Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield’s nationwide network of providers, offering you top-quality PPO coverage and care.

Consumer-driven Plans

Consumer-driven plans are qualified High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) designed to be paired with a Health Savings Account (HSA) - bringing together quality and affordability.

Protection Plans

Protection plans offer quality, budget-friendly health coverage. They provide scaled-down benefits in exchange for a lower monthly cost.

International Plans

International plans work with Cigna International to provide overseas staffers with the quality care they need through a fully vetted, global directory of network providers.

Medicare-coordinating Plans (Retiree Only)

Provide your retirees with a Medicare-coordinating plan that combines one-stop convenience with a great price, making their medical plan choice a simple one.

Premier Carriers and Networks

GuideStone works with Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna International, Express Scripts and others to deliver a provider and pharmacy network designed to serve your employees throughout the United States and your missionaries around the world. Your plan will provide access to one of the largest provider networks in the United States, along with international coverage that follows your team members around the globe.

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield®
With Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield’s broad PPO network (PPO Blue), GuideStone’s employees and their families will continue to enjoy access to top-rated doctors, hospitals, and other care providers across the country. That’s because wherever our members live, work, or travel, they get nationwide access to 2 million care providers through the BlueCard PPO program, with in-network coverage in every U.S. ZIP code — plus a worldwide provider network spanning 200+ countries at no added cost.
Express Scripts®
GuideStone also provides one of the leading pharmaceutical coverages available on the market. Express Scripts is the largest pharmacy benefit management organization in the United States and one of the country’s largest pharmacies, serving more than 85 million people. They offer deep discounts and flexible refill options, including retail pickup and mail-order delivery.
Cigna®
GuideStone covers every corner of the ministry globe. Cigna International medical plans are a must-have for any ministry that has employees working abroad. GuideStone’s international health plans provide missionaries the quality care they need through Cigna’s fully vetted, global directory of network providers.

Your ministry’s well-being is important to us.

GuideStone believes when the body of Christ is healthy, it’s free to transform the world — and we want to help guide and equip your ministry and its people to do just that. We designed these resources to empower your ministry and people toward Christ-centered well-being. Read about risk management, healthy eating, stress management, physical fitness, mental wellness, timely advice, overall wellness information and more.

Recent Wellness Articles
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GuideStone makes it easy for your insurance broker.

If your ministry works with an insurance broker, GuideStone can work directly with any third-party organization. Learn more about how GuideStone facilitates your insurance broker relationship.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the eligibility requirements for GuideStone Group Health Plans?

GuideStone Group Health Plans are available to evangelical churches, agencies, or institutions affiliated with, or sharing common religious bonds with, the Southern Baptist Convention. To qualify for GuideStone Group Plans, employers with two or more covered employees must contribute a minimum of 50% of the employee-only cost of medical coverage.

Employees may participate in a GuideStone group health plan if they work 20 or more hours per week and are paid, full-time employees of an eligible church, agency, or institution affiliated with, or sharing common religious bonds with, the Southern Baptist Convention.

What is the minimum group size required?

GuideStone offers group health plans for churches and ministries with two or more enrolled employees.

What is a church plan, and how does it benefit my ministry?

A church health plan is established and maintained by a church, a convention or an association of churches. GuideStone is a church health plan originally chartered by the Southern Baptist Convention that has expanded to offer coverage to the wider evangelical community.

Church plan benefits include:

  1. Church plans can be a lower-cost option.
  2. The plans provide smaller churches with access to group health coverage.
  3. They are created specifically for churches and ministries.
  4. Many church plans are self-funded, allowing groups to reap the benefits of self-funding without assuming the risks.
  5. Church plans have greater flexibility in calculating rates.
  6. These plans reflect biblical values regarding the sanctity of life.
  7. Church plans bring together benefits from several health care service vendors, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Express Scripts® and Teladoc®, allowing them to offer the best of the best.
Can GuideStone Group Health Plans save me money?

In 2020, groups who chose GuideStone Group Health Plans saved up to 31%* on average. We can offer low rates because we are not-for-profit. Our plans are priced to break even, and our sole focus is serving you.

*When compared to Texas, Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, small group community rated exchange products.

What types of health plans are available through GuideStone?

GuideStone offers more a variety of health plans designed to match your budget and health care needs. You can choose a comprehensive PPO plan, a consumer-driven plan — such as a high deductible health plan, a more budget-friendly protection plan, or an international plan for those serving outside the United States.

What is the network for GuideStone Group Health Plans?

GuideStone’s plans offer access to the Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield network of providers, one of the country's largest. More than 96% of hospitals and 95% of doctors and specialists in the United States and its territories contract with BCBS. That’s more than any other carrier. This recognized industry leader provides network discounts of more than 50%, saving your covered employees and their covered dependents money when receiving care from in-network medical providers.

International medical plan participants have access to Cigna’s fully vetted, global directory of network providers.

Does the GuideStone health plan offer telemedicine?

GuideStone plans include access to Teladoc, the first and largest telehealth provider in the United States. Teladoc is available with no out-of-pocket co-pays for those on PPO plans and protection plans. Individuals in High Deductible Health Plans are covered at 100% for Teladoc services after reaching their yearly deductible.

How soon can I get illustrative (ballpark) quotes?

Illustrative (ballpark) quotes are generally returned to you within 48 business hours.

 
 

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