Healthcare costs in the U.S. soared to $11,172 per capita in 2018, and have only increased in recent years. A good chunk of those costs can be attributed to health insurance. In 2018, the average American paid $3,400 for health insurance — almost twice as much as they paid in the mid-1980s. As that cost continues to rise, many Americans are looking for ways to lower expenses without sacrificing the quality of care. 

One of the fastest growing alternatives to costly traditional health insurance is  health sharing programs. By 2018, an estimated 1 million Americans had switched to health sharing, up from 200,000 Americans in 2010. To understand why people are turning to  health sharing, let’s take a closer look at what these innovative programs have to offer. 

Health sharing programs — also known as healthcare sharing — are non-profit organizations that distribute healthcare costs across all their members. Health sharing programs typically require members to share the organization’s belief systems, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.  

Many  choose health sharing programs to be part of a supportive community of people who share their values and embrace freedom. Along with a likeminded community and fellowship, members of healthcare sharing ministries also enjoy a wide range of advantages not found with traditional health insurance plans. 

Lower Costs 

By spreading healthcare costs across members,  health sharing programs can significantly lower your healthcare-related expenses and make quality care more affordable. Many  health sharing programs have also adopted telehealth options, which can drive costs down even further while making healthcare services more convenient and accessible.  

What’s more,  health sharing members are not required to comply with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and pay for medical services they won’t end up using. Instead, members have the option to choose from a variety of program levels based on their individual healthcare needs and budget. Because of these combined features,  health sharing program members can potentially save hundreds of dollars each month over traditional health insurance plans. 

Added Features 

Along with telehealth options, many health share programs offer their members a wide range of tools and resources to help them proactively manage their own health. This holistic, whole-person approach to healthcare includes dedicated care teams, online patient portals, and tools to help with mental health as well as healthy lifestyle habits. All of which make health sharing an attractive option for anyone who wants more control over their own healthcare as well as costs. 

More Flexibility and Choice 

Many Americans are attracted to healthcare sharing  because of the greater freedom and flexibility they offer. With a wide provider network,  health sharing programs give their members an excellent choice of doctors. In fact, 95% of medical care providers in the U.S. are part of  health sharing networks, and 90% of pharmacies accept health sharing programs.  

While traditional insurance plans offer a limited window to enroll — called Open Enrollment — members can join a  health sharing program at any time throughout the year. And with  health sharing, you have the freedom to live by your  beliefs and values without being financially penalized for doing so. You also have the freedom to make your own healthcare choices for you and your family. 

If you’re looking for an alternative to inflexible and overpriced traditional health insurance,  health sharing may be a good alternative for you. Explore your options and learn more