How Health Shares Actually Work (Step-by-Step)

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If you’ve ever wondered how a health share actually works in real life, you’re in the right place.

Most people have a general idea — that members help each other with medical bills — but they don’t really know what that looks like when you go to the doctor, submit a bill, or face something major.

In this post (and video below ?), I’ll walk you through exactly how a health share works — from your monthly contributions, to preventive care, smaller medical needs, and even major hospital stays or surgeries.

By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of what to expect if you decide to join a health share.

The Basics: Where Your Money Actually Goes

Let’s start with the foundation — because understanding this part makes everything else make sense.

A health share is not insurance.

When you’re a member, you’re considered a self-pay patient — but you’re not on your own. You’re part of a community of people who agree to help each other with large and unexpected medical expenses.

Each member sends money to their health share every month — sometimes called a monthly share or contribution.

The health share uses those funds to help pay other members’ eligible medical needs that month.

In short: your monthly share helps someone else’s medical bills, and when you have a big medical need, other members’ contributions help you.

That’s the heart of how a health share works — everyone pitches in a little each month so no one has to face major medical costs alone.

Preventive Care and Annual Checkups

Now let’s talk about preventive care — things like annual wellness visits, bloodwork, or screenings.

Here’s how this looked for my own family:

When I took my kids for their annual wellness visits, the front desk asked for an insurance card. I simply said, “I’m self-pay.” They handed me a form showing the reason for the visit, cost, and doctor’s signature — basically an itemized list.

I paid upfront, got a receipt, and submitted both to my health share. Within about two weeks, I received a reimbursement check for the full amount.

In our case, our health share allows one wellness visit per person each year, up to a certain limit (for example, $175). My kids’ visits usually cost around $140, so they were fully shared.

If one of them gets sick later in the year and needs another visit, that one wouldn’t be shared — since the one annual benefit was already used.

This setup has been flexible and simple for us, but keep in mind: each health share handles preventive care differently, so always check your specific program’s guidelines.

Smaller Medical Needs

So what happens when you have a smaller medical need — something that’s not preventive care?

Let’s say you hurt your hand and need x-rays and a splint, and the total bill is $600.

If that amount is below your Member Responsibility Amount (MRA) — sometimes called an Initial Unshareable Amount — you’d simply identify as self-pay, ask for a cash discount, and pay for it yourself.

That’s why your MRA is so important. It determines when your health share steps in to help.

Here’s an example:

If your bill is $4,000 and your MRA is $1,000 → you pay $1,000, and your health share shares the remaining eligible amount.
But if your MRA is $5,000, you’d pay the full $4,000 yourself.

There’s no one “right” number. It depends on your budget and comfort level — but remember, choosing a higher Member Responsibility Amount doesn’t always save much long term.

The monthly contributions might be lower, but if anything major happens, those savings disappear quickly.

Major Medical Events (Real-Life Example)

Now let’s talk about what health shares were really made for — the big stuff.

Imagine you slip down the stairs and break your ankle. You end up in the ER, and the doctor says you’ll need surgery and a short hospital stay.

Here’s what happens next:

Tell the hospital you’re self-pay and ask about discounts.
Once treated, request an itemized bill — that’s what your health share will need when you submit it.
Pay your Member Responsibility Amount and keep your receipts.
Submit your documents (itemized bill + proof of payment) to your health share.

Your health share will review the request to ensure it qualifies under the community’s guidelines. Once approved, the remaining eligible costs are shared — meaning the community’s collective funds help pay those large bills.

For example, if your total bill was $18,000 and your MRA was $1,000, you’d pay $1,000 and your health share would share the rest.

This is why it’s critical to choose a health share with no strict sharing caps or limits — you never want to hit a maximum while bills are still coming in.

Real-World Peace of Mind

To sum it up, here’s how a health share works from start to finish:

You contribute a set amount each month.
Preventive visits (if included) are reimbursed after you submit receipts.
For larger needs, you pay your Member Responsibility Amount, submit your documentation, and the community shares the rest of the eligible expenses.

Some health shares limit how much they’ll share per year or per incident — others (like mine) have unlimited sharing for major medical needs outside of pre-existing condition rules.

Once you understand this process, it’s easy to see why more people are choosing health shares as a simple, affordable alternative to traditional healthcare.

Watch Next: Who Should (and Should NOT) Join a Health Share

Now that you understand how health shares work, the next question is — is it the right fit for you?

In my next post (and video), I break down exactly who should — and who should not — join a health share.
Because while these programs can be an amazing option for many people, they’re not the best fit for everyone.

Click here to read or watch: Who Should (and Should NOT) Join a Health Share

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.