Here are some of the ways a HealthShare is different than Health Insurance:

• A Health Share is a nonprofit organization.
• A Health Share has open enrollment all year long.
• Health Share Plans are not required to share in Minimum Essential Coverage benefits, like Health Insurance plans. Depending on which state you live in, you may need to have MEC Insurance in addition to your Health Share membership.
• Health Share plans are typically designed for larger unexpected medical needs and is also a big reason why Health Share plans are much more affordable. 
• Health Share organizations decide what medical expenses are shared with the community, and how the medical bills are paid. 
• Each Health Share chooses who can join their community, based on similar beliefs or ideologies. 
• With a Health Share, there are usually restrictions or waiting periods for pre-existing conditions.
• Health Share plans typically do not have network restrictions.
• Most people save up to 30-60% on their healthcare costs when they join a Health Share.