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One of the biggest questions people ask me is simple:

“Do health shares actually help if something big happens — like cancer?”

The short answer is yes.
Health shares do help with major medical needs, including cancer, as long as the condition isn’t pre-existing when you join.

That means you can’t wait for symptoms, testing, or a diagnosis and then join a health share. You need to join before you need it. But if something unexpected happens after you’re a member, your medical needs are shared according to your community’s guidelines.

Here’s the simplest way to understand it:

If you join today and are diagnosed next week, the cancer is considered pre-existing.
If you’ve been a member and then receive a diagnosis, the cancer is not pre-existing and can be shared.

You don’t need to be a member for years. You just need to join before signs or symptoms begin.

Health Shares and Cancer: What You Should Know

Health shares exist to help members handle large, unexpected medical needs. That includes hospital stays, surgeries, and cancer treatments.

When members join early, before they need care, the health share model works exactly as designed. Members come together to help one another with major medical events.

Below are examples from several well-known health share communities. These stories show how different programs have helped members facing cancer.

Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM)

Many CHM members have shared experiences where CHM walked with them through major, unexpected medical needs — including cancer. Several families describe getting help throughout the entire treatment process, along with support during other large medical events like surgeries or maternity. Many long-time members say CHM has been consistent, reliable, and there when they needed them most.

Impact Health Sharing

Impact members have shared multiple stories about receiving help during cancer treatment, including surgeries, testing, and other large expenses. Many say the process was straightforward and that Impact walked with them through every step of their diagnosis and care. Members often highlight how smoothly their eligible needs were shared during a very stressful time.

Medi-Share

Medi-Share members often talk about how smooth the sharing process is during a major diagnosis. Some describe having their cancer-related bills handled without issues, along with regular check-ins from the staff and strong emotional support throughout treatment. Several members say the experience felt more personal — and far more supportive — than what they received with traditional insurance.

Liberty HealthShare

Liberty HealthShare members have also shared positive experiences during cancer treatment. Some describe receiving help with large bills, as well as assistance negotiating hospital charges and navigating the cost of major care. Members often mention how helpful Liberty was during the hardest parts of their diagnosis and how grateful they were to avoid the overwhelming medical expenses that usually come with cancer.

Samaritan Ministries

Samaritan members frequently talk about the community aspect — the prayers, notes, encouragement, and the feeling of not going through a diagnosis alone. Several members have shared long-term experiences where Samaritan supported them during major medical events, including cancer and complex treatments like transplants. Many say the combination of financial and emotional support made a huge difference.

Zion HealthShare

Zion HealthShare members consistently highlight clear guidelines, simple processes, and fast turnaround times — especially during major medical events. Several reviews mention help with multiple surgeries, chemotherapy, and imaging within the same year, along with a highly supportive member team. Many say the experience felt organized, compassionate, and predictable during a very overwhelming medical journey.

So Yes — A Health Share Can Help With Cancer

A health share is not insurance, but many communities provide strong financial and emotional support during major medical events.

If you are already a member when a diagnosis occurs, your health share can help with those eligible medical expenses. That’s the purpose of these programs — members lifting the burden together.

But it only works if you join before you need it.

Want to Understand How Health Shares Work?

If you’re deciding whether a health share makes sense, it helps to understand the differences between each one. Not all health shares work the same way.

I created a short video series that explains:

How health shares work
What they pay for
How they handle major medical events
What to expect as a member
How to know if joining one makes sense for you

Start here → What to Do If You Can’t Afford Health Insurance

Most people say this series completely changes the way they think about healthcare — and helps them feel confident about their next step.

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.