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So… is Medi-Share insurance?
A lot of people assume it is. After all, you send money each month, you get a member ID card, and there’s even a provider network they encourage you to use.
However, I want to make this super clear:
Medi-Share is not insurance.
In fact, if you go to Medi-Share’s disclosures, they say it directly: Medi-Share is not insurance, it’s not offered through an insurance company, and it’s not regulated as insurance.
Also, on their website, Medi-Share explains that they’re a nonprofit health care sharing ministry, where members voluntarily share medical expenses based on written member guidelines.
Why People Think Medi-Share Is Insurance
First, let’s be honest: it looks similar on the surface.
For example:
- You contribute monthly
- You receive a member ID card
- You’re encouraged to use a provider network
Because of that, it’s easy to assume it works the same way as insurance.
That said, if you’re in the “I need the real-world details” stage (like cost, how the guidelines work, and what it’s actually like to be a member), I break all of that down in my full Medi-Share review here: Medi-Share Reviews
(That review is where I go deeper into the practical stuff people care about once they understand the “not insurance” part.)
Why “Not Insurance” Actually Matters
Here’s why Medi-Share being not insurance matters:
Insurance is a legal contract.
It’s regulated as insurance, and the insurance company is legally responsible to pay according to the policy rules.
Medi-Share is different.
Instead, it’s a membership in a faith-based health share community, and everything is based on written member guidelines – what’s eligible for sharing, what’s not, and how the sharing process works.
In other words, what you’re joining is structured differently from the start.
“Okay… So Is It Just Hoping for the Best?”
No, and this part is really important.
Even though Medi-Share isn’t regulated as insurance, you’re not just crossing your fingers.
When you join, you agree to a written membership agreement — and Medi-Share agrees to it too.
That agreement operates under your state’s general contract law.
So, you can read ahead of time:
- what’s eligible for sharing
- what isn’t eligible
- what documentation they need
- how the process works
And if a medical bill is eligible based on the guidelines, Medi-Share will share it through the member community.
The One Thing I Want You to Take Away
If there’s one thing you get from this post, it’s this:
If you’re considering Medi-Share — or any health share — you need to read the member guidelines.
Why?
Because that’s where you’ll learn what’s considered eligible for sharing… and what’s not.
And even more importantly, health shares are not all the same.
For instance:
- Some are more flexible
- Some have more restrictions
- Some have different requirements
- Some have different sharing rules and processes
So please don’t assume every health share works like Medi-Share… because they don’t.
Final Thoughts
Medi-Share isn’t insurance. It’s a health care sharing ministry with written guidelines that explain how sharing works.
So before you join anything, do yourself a favor: read the member guidelines.
That’s how you avoid surprises and make sure you’re choosing something that actually fits your situation.
Health shares are not insurance and do not offer insurance coverage. Membership in a health share does not guarantee the payment or reimbursement of medical expenses. Each organization operates under its own membership guidelines, which determine what expenses may be eligible for sharing. This publication is for informational purposes only and is not provided by an insurance company. For state-specific notices and full program details, please visit the respective health share’s official website.
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