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If you’re considering joining a health share, it’s important to understand your responsibilities as a member. Health shares operate differently from traditional health insurance, and if you’re not familiar with how they work, you might end up paying for things that could have been shared!
But don’t worry—once you understand the process, it’s actually pretty simple. In this post, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know so you can make the most of your health share membership and avoid costly mistakes.
1. Your Monthly Share – Pay on Time to Stay Active
Your monthly share is your member contribution—the amount you send in each month to your health share so that medical expenses can be shared among members.
Think of it like a community pool: everyone contributes, and when someone has a medical need, the community helps.
Just like any membership—whether it’s a gym, Netflix, or your phone bill—you need to pay on time. Most health shares have a grace period, but if you miss payments, you could lose eligibility for sharing when you need it most.
👉 Pro Tip: Set up autopay so you never miss a payment!
2. Smaller Medical Bills – Your Responsibility
Unlike traditional health insurance, most health shares do NOT share in smaller medical expenses like:
- Regular doctor visits
- Prescriptions
- Urgent care visits
This means you should be prepared to cover these costs yourself. However, some health shares offer:
✔️ Discounts on prescriptions
✔️ Free or low-cost telemedicine services
✔️ Limited sharing for preventive care
Check your member guidelines to see what’s included in your health share plan.
3. The Initial Unshareable Amount (IUA) – What You Pay Before Sharing Begins
One of the biggest differences between health shares and insurance is the Initial Unshareable Amount (IUA) or Member Responsibility Amount (MRA)—the amount you pay before the health share steps in to share the rest of the eligible medical expenses.
Example:
Let’s say your IUA is $1,000 and you have a $5,000 medical bill:
✅ You pay $1,000
✅ The health share covers the remaining $4,000, as long as it qualifies for sharing
Since health shares don’t have traditional deductibles or co-pays, this is the key cost to understand before joining.
4. Submitting Medical Bills & Receipts – Don’t Miss the Deadline!
Unlike insurance companies, health shares do not automatically process your medical bills. Instead, YOU are responsible for submitting them.
What You Need to Submit:
✔️ An itemized bill from your provider (not just a balance statement)
✔️ Proof of payment (such as a receipt) if you’ve paid anything toward the bill
✔️ A sharing request submitted within the required timeframe
Most health shares require you to submit within 3 to 6 months of your medical event. If you miss the deadline, your bills might not be eligible for sharing—so don’t wait!
5. Negotiating Medical Costs – Ask for Discounts!
One of the best parts of a health share? You can choose where you go for care. You’re not limited to a provider network, and you can shop around for the best price.
Most providers offer cash pay discounts for self-pay patients. These can be as much as 20-50% off your bill!
✔️ Ask for a cash-pay discount when scheduling an appointment
✔️ Some health shares negotiate on your behalf, so check if yours offers this service
This is an easy way to reduce your medical costs—whether your health share is involved or not!
6. Understanding Member Guidelines – Know What’s Eligible for Sharing
Every health share has its own rules and guidelines about what is and isn’t shareable. Make sure you understand:
✔️ Pre-Existing Conditions: Most health shares have waiting periods before they’ll share in pre-existing medical needs
✔️ Lifestyle Requirements: Some health shares have guidelines regarding tobacco use, alcohol, and overall health
✔️ Preventive Care: Some share in wellness visits, while others don’t
Before seeking medical care, always check your guidelines so there are no surprises when you submit a bill.
Final Recap – What You’re Responsible for as a Health Share Member
✅ Pay your monthly share on time to stay eligible
✅ Cover smaller medical bills like doctor visits & prescriptions
✅ Pay your Initial Unshareable Amount (IUA) before sharing begins
✅ Submit itemized bills & receipts on time (usually within 3-6 months)
✅ Negotiate medical costs (or see if your health share will do this for you)
✅ Follow your health share’s guidelines to ensure your medical need is shareable
Is a Health Share Right for You?
Health shares can save you thousands compared to traditional health insurance, but they require a different mindset. Understanding your responsibilities upfront can help you avoid unexpected costs and make the most of your membership.
Want to learn more?
📌 Download my free guide: The Health Share Guide and Essential Checklist
🔹 Like this post? Share it with someone considering a health share!
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