Is Joining a Health Share right for me?

While every HealthShare is going to be different, here are some things to consider before joining a Health Share.

• How often you go to a Doctor’s office – Each Health Share has something similar to a deductible that members will need to pay before the Health Share will “share” in any medical expenses. So any Doctor visits that costs less than your Member Responsibility Amount is the member’s responsibility. Keep in mind that some Health Shares will “share” in some preventative care like annual wellness visits.
• If you have pre-existing conditions – Most Health Shares have a waiting period (meaning you need to be a member for a year or longer) before a medical need for a pre-existing condition is considered “shareable” with the community. If you have a pre-existing condition that is chronic and costs a lot more than what you are able or willing to pay, you may be better off staying with Health Insurance. Check to see if a Health Share has waiting periods, phased-in sharing, or exceptions for certain conditions.
• Religious affiliation requirements – Most Health Shares are faith-based and require members to live according to certain religious or biblical beliefs. Not living by those standards set by the Health Share will determine whether a medical need is eligible for sharing with the community. For example, if you are not married but you or your partner become pregnant, a faith-based Health Share will not share in any maternity bills since it’s not eligible for sharing with unwed parents (It is something members agree to before they join). For some, this is a selling point to join that particular Health Share, for others, there are non-religious Health Shares that do not have faith-based requirements.
• Affordable Care Act (ACA) Compliance – While most Americans can join a Health Share without any worries of being ACA Compliant, there are a few states that have individual state mandates: For those living in a state or district that has a state mandate, you can simply purchase that meets the minimal Health Insurance requirement and you can still join a Health Share. When preventative care is needed, it would be covered through your Health Insurance. When a larger unexpected medical need arises, it would be shared with the HealthShare community.   

What are the Benefits of Joining a Health Share?

• Save Money. This is the number one reason why most people choose to join a Health Share over Health Insurance.
• Community. Members choose a community that fits their personal beliefs or lifestyle choices.
• Less or no Network Restrictions. HealthShare members typically enjoy more freedom to choose which Doctors or healthcare providers they want to see. For preventative services, most HealthShares seem to have a network that they work with.
• Nationwide or Worldwide sharing. HealthShares usually have sharing available to people all throughout the United States and even abroad. HealthShares are a great option for those who love to travel.