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If you’ve ever explored alternatives to traditional health insurance, you’ve likely come across health share plans. They promise affordable healthcare solutions and are especially attractive for those who find traditional insurance too expensive. But are health share plans legit, and do they actually help with medical bills when you need them the most?
Let’s dive into how health share plans work and why many people are choosing them as a viable and trustworthy option for their healthcare needs.
What Are Health Share Plans?
Health share plans, also known as health care sharing ministries or medical cost sharing, are not insurance. Instead, they are nonprofit organizations that operate as a community where members voluntarily share medical expenses. Each member contributes a set amount monthly, and when medical needs arise, they submit those bills to the group for sharing.
This model allows for lower monthly costs than traditional insurance because health share plans often focus on preventive care and healthy living. Members typically agree to certain lifestyle standards, and the community shares in expenses for medical needs that align with those values.
The Big Question: Will They Help When It Matters?
One of the most common concerns people have is, “What happens if I face a major medical event? Will my health share plan really help with my bills?”
The short answer is yes, but it’s important to understand how these plans work to set proper expectations. Here are several reasons health share plans can be trusted to assist with medical expenses when you need them most:
1. Proven Track Record of Sharing Bills
Many health share organizations have been around for decades, successfully sharing billions of dollars in medical expenses. For example, well-known health shares like Zion HealthShare and Liberty HealthShare report millions of dollars shared each year for their members’ medical costs. These plans work because of the trust built within the community, and most members find their medical bills handled in a timely manner.
2. Clear Guidelines for Shared Expenses
While health share plans are not insurance, they are transparent about what types of expenses are eligible for sharing. Health share plans typically have guidelines for eligible expenses, including hospitalizations, surgeries, maternity, and more. Most of them exclude pre-existing conditions within the first year or two of membership, but after that, even these conditions are often eligible for sharing. By knowing and following the guidelines, members can confidently expect to have their bills shared when needed.
3. No Hidden Costs
Traditional health insurance often comes with complicated co-pays, deductibles, and out-of-network fees that make it hard to predict your real costs. Health share plans are refreshingly simple. There’s a set monthly contribution and a specified amount (similar to a deductible) that you pay before the community steps in to help with the rest. This predictability offers peace of mind, especially in major medical events where high costs are involved.
4. Member Advocacy
One of the standout features of health share plans is the advocacy many of them provide. Some health shares negotiate bills with providers on your behalf, ensuring that costs are kept as low as possible. This can result in significant savings, making it even more likely that the health share community will be able to assist with your expenses.
5. Freedom to Choose Providers
Unlike traditional insurance, where you’re often limited to a network of doctors and hospitals, most health share plans allow members to choose their own healthcare providers. This is especially beneficial in times of major medical need, as you won’t be restricted to certain hospitals or doctors based on your plan’s network.
Real-Life Examples
A member I know had a family history of cancer and needed genetic testing. Through their health insurance, the test would have cost $7,000, with a $2,000 out-of-pocket cost. Without insurance, the same test was only $250. The health share plan helped with the $250 with ease, and the member saved thousands by not going through insurance.
This kind of scenario highlights one of the biggest advantages of health share plans—they often help you get fair prices for medical services by avoiding inflated insurance rates.
Is a Health Share Plan Right for You?
If you’re self-employed, a small business owner, or simply someone looking to save on healthcare, health share plans may be the perfect solution. They offer a legitimate, affordable alternative to traditional insurance, with proven systems in place to assist with medical expenses when needed.
The key is to choose a reputable health share plan that fits your needs, understand the sharing guidelines, and be proactive about your healthcare. Many members of health shares report great satisfaction with how their plans have supported them during both routine and major medical events.
Final Thoughts
Health share plans are legit. They may not be insurance, but for many people, they offer a legitimate way to pay for large and unexpected medical bills! By choosing the right health share plan and following the community’s guidelines, you can rest assured knowing your medical bills will be shared when you need it most.
If you’re tired of paying high premiums for traditional insurance and want to explore a different path, health share plans might be the affordable, trustworthy option you’ve been looking for.
Ready to learn more?
If you are brand new to health sharing, you should start here to learn more about how everything works and how health share plans compare to traditional health insurance.
Once you have an idea of how everything works, I recommend checking out my post on the Best Health Share Plans. While there are plenty of health share plans to choose from, I narrow down the top plans and go into more detail so you can find the right plan for your health care needs.
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