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About Solidarity HealthShare
Solidarity HealthShare is a Health Care Sharing Ministry that is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides an alternative way to fund health care costs while protecting and practicing your Catholic beliefs. It is ethical, affordable, and exempt from the fines (taxes) of the Affordable Care Act.
Members also agree to a common set of beliefs that help determine which medical costs the community will share towards. With Solidarity HealthShare, guidelines on the medical expenses that members share towards are primarily guided by the moral teachings of the Catholic Church. These beliefs help define what is and is not eligible for sharing.
Is Solidarity HealthShare the same as Health Insurance?
It’s important to know that Solidarity HealthShare is NOT Health Insurance. Solidarity HealthShare is a health care sharing ministry, which is an alternative to Health Insurance. Solidarity HealthShare provides an organized way for members to share in one another’s medical bills.
How Does Solidarity HealthShare Work?
Solidarity HealthShare members are responsible with paying their Monthly Share Amount. This monthly share is then used to pay for the health care needs of other members. When members have a health care need (and have already met their Annual Unshared Amount), other members will pay for their health care needs.
How a Health Share is different from Health Insurance
Here are some of the ways a Health Share is different than Health Insurance:
- A Health Share is a nonprofit organization.
- A Health Share has open enrollment all year long.
- Health Shares are month-to-month and can be cancelled at any time.
- Health Share Plans are not required to share in Minimum Essential Coverage benefits, like Health Insurance plans. Depending on which state you live in, you may need to have MEC Insurance in addition to your Health Share membership.
- 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.
- With a Health Share, there are usually restrictions or waiting periods for pre-existing conditions.
- Health Share plans typically do not have network restrictions.
Benefits of Joining a Health Share
Save Money: One of the biggest benefits to joining a Health Share is the amount of money you save. in fact, most people save up to 30-60% on their healthcare costs when they join a Health Share.
No Network Restrictions: Another benefit of joining a Health Share that you typically do not have any network restrictions to worry about. You get to go to the right doctor or healthcare facility that works best for you.
No Contracts: You can join a Health Share year-round and can cancel at anytime.
Ideal Candidates for Joining a Health Share
A Health Share is perfect for those that meet the following criteria:
- Under 65 years old
- Lives a healthy lifestyle and generally a healthy person
- Believes in the concept of sharing in one another’s medical burdens
- Wants to save money on their healthcare costs
- Wants help available to them in case of larger unexpected medical bills
- Needs flexibility to join or cancel at any time
- Wants to have the freedom to choose which medical professional they can see (without network restrictions)
Which Health Share Should I Join?
There are a lot of great options to choose from! You can read more about Solidarity HealthShare and you can find out which Health Share I think is the Best Health Share for Individuals and Families.
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