By Jason Coon
Catholic ministry leaders carry many responsibilities at once: caring for employees, making wise financial decisions, protecting the mission of the organization, and remaining faithful to the Church’s teaching in a world that often pulls in the opposite direction.
Health benefits and the Catholic employer health ecosystem are important ways leaders care for their people. But benefits administration is also complex—and the truth is, many organizations do not realize how much risk can exist in a plan simply because the language is unclear.
That is why I want to ask a simple question:
Do you know what your health plan covers—on purpose?
Not what you believe it covers.
Not what it “normally” covers.
But what it truly covers in writing, and how that coverage is being administered.
When plan language is unclear, confusion is almost guaranteed.
Over time, Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs) can become difficult to interpret, especially when:
- plan language is recycled from year to year
- exclusions are missing or incomplete
- terms are broad enough that they can be applied in unintended ways
- administrators interpret language differently from what leadership expects
Created by Uwe Kils (iceberg) and User:Wiska Bodo (sky).
Sometimes this creates what we call “silent coverage”—services that may be paid, even though the organization did not knowingly choose to include them. In the worst case, a silent coverage can include services that conflict with the organization’s Catholic convictions. It’s a bit like an iceberg — you see what’s floating above the water, but you don’t see the dangerous parts hidden below waterline that can sink a ship.
This is not said to create fear, but to name a reality: when plan language is unclear, the plan can begin to lead—rather than leadership.
Why this Matters for Catholic Employers
Catholic organizations do not exist simply to function efficiently. They exist to witness— boldly and consistently—to the truth about the human person, the dignity of the body, and the moral responsibilities of care.
When health plan decisions drift away from clarity, it becomes harder to protect that witness. Not because leaders do not care—but because ambiguity creates vulnerability.
And eventually, it shows up in the place many leaders least expect: the moment an employee asks a question.
Most employee questions are not meant to be confrontational. They are often sincere, asking questions like: Why doesn’t our plan cover this? Why did it cover that? Isn’t this considered healthcare? How does this reflect our mission?
If leaders aren’t prepared, they can feel cornered, and how they respond in the moment can harm the organization in one of two ways:
- Unintentional discouragement — A leader answers quickly and says something that weakens the mission or sounds dismissive of Catholic teaching.
2. Unintentional misrepresentation — A leader tries to explain the plan but unknowingly gives an answer that does not match the SPD or the way claims are being processed.
Neither outcome happens because leaders are careless. It happens because health plans have become complicated, and clarity requires intentionality.
Stewardship as a Leader
Stewardship is not only about what you provide, it is also about what you permit.
Catholic benefit stewardship includes making sure your plan:
- reflects your true intent
- protects the organization’s mission and identity
- provides employees consistent guidance
- prevents silent drift into coverage that creates moral and operational conflict
This is why reviewing your SPD is not “just paperwork.” It is a form of leadership and stewarding your mission.
Take a First Solid Step
At CBA, we want member organizations to feel supported—not overwhelmed.
If you haven’t reviewed your SPD recently, start with this simple goal: Make sure your plan language is clear enough that leadership can speak with confidence.
Because when your plan is unclear, leaders are left trying to interpret mission-sensitive questions in real time. But when your plan is clear, leaders can respond with calm, unity, and truth.
This week, we’ll be sharing with our members a new, custom-built health plan review tool and guidance designed to strengthen this clarity and alignment in practical ways.
For now, I encourage you to take the first step toward steady confidence: Know what’s in your health plan—on purpose. And email me to book your health plan review for 2026 today.