Healthsharing plans, in contrast, have much more flexibility in plan design. Free from Affordable Care Act and other regulations that force them to pay for coverage that few or no members will actually need, they can reduce costs. But just how much money can Healthsharing save?

For example, health sharing plans frequently limit or exclude costs related to alcohol or drug addiction treatment, gender reassignment surgery, elective abortions, maternity care for unwed mothers, and injuries arising from drunk driving incidents – even as a passenger. 

Healthshare plans also limit adverse selection by imposing waiting periods before costs related to treatment of pre-existing conditions become shareable.

They also frequently impose a waiting period before they will share costs for surgeries except for those arising from accidental and unforeseeable accidents.