by Jason Coon
At the Catholic Benefits Association (CBA), our mission is to safeguard the religious liberties of our members in healthcare, and for the first time, we’re extending our focus to include employment law. As our culture shifts away from the religious rights and freedoms enshrined in the Constitution, we are dedicated to staying vigilant on government policy.
These freedoms are vital as they empower Catholic organizations to develop healthcare solutions that reflect our faith and uphold our religious principles.
Over the past seven years, I’ve observed a significant trend: while new Catholic health and wellness innovations are emerging annually, these solutions are often not reaching Catholic business owners and non-profit organizations.
Frequently, health benefit consultants and brokers continue to rely on traditional insurance market offerings or those marketed by the insurance companies themselves. While these services can be excellent, they often lack the sensitivity, flexibility, and responsibility needed to align with the unique values of Catholic organizations. Moreover, there is a noticeable absence of Catholic marketplace vetting to ensure that solutions are both faith-aligned and priced competitively.
Product Integrity and Faith Alignment
Recently, a CBA member reached out regarding an issue with an online physical therapy service. Although the service was chosen to address the rising costs associated with musculoskeletal disorders, an employee found a faith-related discrepancy in the onboarding process. The service’s intake form included gender categories beyond the traditional male and female options, which conflicted with Catholic beliefs. When our member raised this concern, the vendor refused to adjust their process and rather provided an ideological response as to why they would not change their processes for their Catholic client.
In response, our member contacted CBA looking for alternative solutions and ultimately selected a provider that respected their faith and offered the necessary faith-aligned experience. This situation highlights the importance of vetting solutions more fully and to include the vendors internal processes as well. In this case, as mentioned, that was to vet the onboarding process.
Catholic Telehealth Solutions
It’s crucial to be aware of the affiliations of your telehealth provider. We discovered that many health plans include telehealth services partnered with organizations like Planned Parenthood, which provides abortion pill services. We promptly alerted our members through our consulting and medical plan review services. We recommended a Catholic telehealth solution, My Catholic Doctor, which aligns with our values and has been adopted by several members as a result.
Challenging the Status Quo
Three years ago, I addressed how Catholic organizations have been constrained by the standardization of health plans and business practices, stifling creativity and innovation. In our current era, there is a renewed call for awareness, creativity, and innovation. We must move beyond a “set it and forget it” mindset to embrace new possibilities.
The Need for a Catholic-Centric Health and Wellness Marketplace
Catholic innovation is thriving today. CBA is committed to promoting and introducing cutting-edge solutions that may benefit our members. From entrepreneurial labs like Sent Ventures and events such as the Catholic Creatives Summit, to initiatives like the OSV Challenge, Catholic innovation is on the rise. The Napa Institute Summer Conference also plays a vital role in empowering Catholic leaders to renew the Church and transform the culture.
In the coming year, CBA’s Healthcare Benefits Consultative Solutions team will work to raise awareness among our members about innovative healthcare solutions through an online platform. It’s time to develop a new generation of healthcare experiences—one that is deeply rooted in Catholic values.
Are you interested in reducing costs on your health plan? Enhancing Catholic identity within your organization’s benefits? Exploring a unique Catholic wellness program for mind, body, and spirit? We are already engaging with CBA members in exploring these solutions and eager to share those experiences and connections with you. If you are searching for Catholic solutions reach out today!