MtM

Statement on MtM medical insurance policy (updated: April 1, 2020)

In order to provide for unexpected medical needs of our sabbatical participants and to safeguard the interests of sending dioceses and religious congregations, the Ministry to Ministers Sabbatical Program (MtM) requires that all participants have medical insurance that meets the standards of the U.S. Affordable Care Act.

All participants sponsored by U.S. dioceses or congregations are required to submit an Ecclesiastical Sponsor form, completed and signed by their bishop or superior or his or her delegate, that includes an attestation that the participant is included in the diocese’s or congregation’s medical insurance plan.

All participants sponsored by dioceses or congregations outside the United States are required to enroll in the student medical insurance plan offered by Oblate School of Theology (OST). In regard to this requirement, please note the following:

• The student medical insurance coverage must be purchased through OST at an additional cost to the participant or his or her congregation or diocese

• The only guaranteed exception to this policy is if a participant from outside the U.S. is included in the medical insurance coverage of a U.S. diocese or congregation. In this case, the sponsoring diocese or congregation in the U.S. must provide documentation that attests to the participant’s inclusion in the U.S. medical insurance package.

• If a participant believes that the international medical insurance coverage provided by his or her congregation or diocese is sufficient for their stay in the United States, the participant may apply for a waiver through the office of the Registrar at OST (breyna@ost.edu). The liaison with our medical insurance provider will determine whether the coverage package meets the standards of the Affordable Care Act. If so, a waiver will be granted.

• For participants receiving a partial scholarship to attend MtM, OST medical insurance coverage may be included in the financial assistance package.

• Additional information about the OST medical insurance policy may be found on the school’s website, www.ost.edu. On the home page, select the drop down menu on the “My OST” tab. Click on “Student Resources,” then on “Health Insurance.” The web page provides the cost of medical insurance for the current academic year. The page also includes links for the “waiver application form” and the “summary of benefits” documents.

Please be aware that medical insurance has always been a requirement for participation in the sabbatical program. All that the policy does is to ensure and verify that adequate medical insurance coverage is actually in place for all of our participants.

If you have questions about this policy, please contact us either by email (mtm@ost.edu), by mail (Ministry to Ministers Sabbatical Program, 109 Oblate Drive, San Antonio, TX 78216), or by phone (210-349-9928)