Can you afford a Heart Attack in America?

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How Does a Health Share Membership Work in Case of a Major Event Like a Heart Attack?

When it comes to health expenses, especially for something as serious as a heart attack, many people assume that traditional health insurance is their only option. However, there’s a lesser-known but increasingly popular alternative: a health share membership. This nonprofit approach provides a community-driven solution that offers many advantages over traditional insurance, particularly in terms of cost and simplicity.

Let’s dive into an example to see how a health share membership can handle a major medical event, like a heart attack, and how it compares to traditional insurance.

The Scenario: A Health Share Member Has a Heart Attack

Imagine you’re a health share member and you suffer a heart attack at home. You’re rushed to the emergency room by ambulance, spend five days in the hospital, undergo an EKG, have surgery, receive post-surgery physical therapy, and need prescriptions for ongoing care.

The total medical bill for all of these services amounts to $77,500. In a traditional insurance setup, you might be facing complicated payment breakdowns, including high deductibles, co-pays, and co-insurance percentages, leaving you with an unpredictable final bill.

How Health Shares Make It Simple

With a health share membership, it’s much simpler. There are no co-pays, no co-insurance, and no confusing deductibles. You’ll know exactly what you need to pay upfront—referred to as the Initial Unshareable Amount (IUA), which is a fixed amount that members are responsible for before the community steps in. The rest of the eligible medical expenses are shared by the community.

For example:

• Your IUA might be $1,000, meaning you pay that first $1,000 out of pocket.
• The remaining $76,500 would be shared by the health share community.

This transparency and simplicity can be a huge relief when dealing with a stressful medical situation. Instead of worrying about whether or not your insurance will cover specific treatments or negotiating with various providers, you focus on your recovery while the health share handles the rest.

Major Benefits of Health Share Membership in a Crisis

1. Clarity in Costs: With health shares, you know what you’re responsible for right from the start. No hidden fees or confusing bills.
2. No Networks: Health shares allow you to see any doctor or specialist of your choice without worrying about “in-network” restrictions.
3. Faster Processing: Since health shares are often more community-focused, many members report faster sharing of their medical expenses compared to traditional insurance claim processes.
4. Cost Savings: Monthly contributions to a health share are typically much lower than the premiums for health insurance. This can result in thousands of dollars saved annually, especially when considering the high deductibles and co-pays of traditional plans.

How It Works in Real Life

In the example provided, the member’s heart attack led to a hospital stay and various treatments, with a total bill of $77,500. After the member pays their $1,000 IUA, the health share community steps in to pay the remaining $76,500. The member doesn’t have to worry about co-pays or complicated billing structures—just one simple payment and the rest is handled by the community.

Want to Learn More?

Want to know if a health share membership is the right fit for you? You can learn more about the Health Share basics or you can dive deeper into your options and find the perfect plan by checking out my Best Health Share Plans blog post. In it, I break down the top health share programs, their benefits, and how they compare. If you’re ready to take control of your healthcare and save big, this guide will help you make an informed decision.