Frequently Asked Questions About Health Share Plans

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What is a Health Share?

A Health Share is a non-profit organization where health care costs are shared among members who have common beliefs. Health Shares are a proven and effective alternative to Health Insurance.

Health Share members have a common goal of sharing in one another’s medical expenses. A Health Share provides an organized way of making this happen.

While most Health Shares today have a religious component (also known as a Health Share Ministry), there are also Health Shares that do not require a religious affiliation to join them.

Is a “HealthShare” and a “Healthcare Sharing Ministry” the same thing?

Whether you call it a Health Share, Healthcare Sharing, Healthcare Sharing Ministry, Health Share Ministries, or Medical Cost Sharing company…they all pretty much mean the same thing. They are a non-profit organization of like-minded individuals that agree to share in one another’s medical burdens. As stated before, the ministries require a religious affiliation, but not all HealthShares.

Do ALL HealthShares require you to sign a statement of faith?

No. Zion Health and Sedera are the two HealthShares that do not require any religious association in order to join them. Zion HealthShare, for example, welcomes people of all faiths and has chosen to create a community of members who all agree to be proactive about their health.

How is a Health Share different from Health Insurance?

A Health Share is not the same as Health Insurance, which makes the rules and regulations different for each other.

Here are some of the main differences between Health Share Plans and Health Insurance:

Health Share Plans are not required to share in Minimum Essential Coverage benefits, like Health Insurance plans.
Health Share plans are typically designed for larger unexpected medical needs and is also a big reason why Health Share plans are much more affordable.
Health Share organizations decide what medical expenses are shared with the community, and how the medical bills are paid.
Each Health Share chooses who can join their community, based on similar beliefs or ideologies.
There are usually restrictions or waiting periods for pre-existing conditions. Look into a Health Share plan if you have a pre-existing condition that you are concerned about.

Can you help me understand the different HealthShare terminologies?

While every HealthShare company has their own name for some of these things, here’s some ways to help you understand.

Health Insurance	HealthShare	Notes
Deductible	Member Responsibility Amount (MRA), Initial Unshareable Amount (IUA), etc. Every HealthShare has their own terms for this.	This is the amount the member would need to pay BEFORE the HealthShare will “share” in any medical expenses. Typically, the larger the member’s responsibility amount is before the HealthShare “shares” in anything, the lower the monthly contribution amount.
Monthly Premium	Monthly Contribution	This is the amount the member will contribute each month to go toward’s the community’s medical needs.
Claim	Need or Eligible Medical Event	Members will typically submit a “Need” to request “Sharing”. The HealthSHare will review it (make sure it’s an eligible medical need for sharing), and start the process.
Explanation of Benefits (EoB)	Explanation of Sharing (EoS)	Each HealthShare has a Membership Guidelines that goes into detail on what is and isn’t an eligible “Need” for “Sharing”.
Covered/coverage	Share or “Sharing”	The HealthShare will “share” in a member’s medical “need” after they have paid the “Initial Unshareable Amount”.

How does a Health Share work?

Members contribute money each month to the HealthShare community to help those in need. When they have an eligible medical need, they pay their member responsibility amount and then the HealthShare community pays for the rest of the medical needs (which can be unlimited or capped, depending on the HealthShare).

Is Joining a Health Share right for me?

Generally speaking, Health Share plans are designed to help you with larger unexpected medical expenses. That means that smaller medical bills that are less than your set member responsibility amount, would be paid by you.

For most people, a Health Share is still a great alternative to Health Insurance. In the long run, you save money each month and still have that security knowing that larger eligible medical bills will be “shared” once you’ve paid your member responsibility.

Who are the most popular Health Share organizations?

Check out my reviews for each of the following health shares! You also have the option to adding your own score and review, or you can read what other people have said about each health share. Check ’em out!

Christian Health Share Plans

Jewish Health Share Plan

United Refuah Reviews

Secular Health Share Plans

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.

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.