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When talking about health shares, I have to be very careful with my words—not just for accuracy, but for legal reasons too. There are certain terms I can’t use because they are tied to health insurance, and health shares are NOT insurance.
In this post, I’ll break down the banned words, why they matter, and what I say instead to make sure people understand exactly how health shares work.
Why Health Shares Use Different Terms
Health shares are not insurance, and that’s an important distinction. Using insurance-specific terms like “covered,” “premium,” or “deductible” could make people think they function the same way as traditional health insurance—when they don’t.
That’s why every health share uses its own unique terminology to describe how medical cost-sharing works. It’s not just about being accurate—it’s about avoiding legal confusion and ensuring people know exactly what to expect.
So, let’s go over some of the biggest differences and the words I can’t use when explaining health shares.
The Words I CAN’T Say (And What I Say Instead!)
1. ❌ “Christian Insurance” → ✅ “Christian Health Share”
A lot of people refer to health shares as “Christian insurance,” but that’s not accurate or legal.
Even though many—not all—health shares are faith-based, they are NOT insurance and cannot be marketed or described as such.
When people hear “Christian insurance,” they assume it works like a faith-based insurance policy with legal guarantees and regulatory protections. But in reality, it’s a voluntary sharing community.
Instead, I say:
✅ A Christian health share membership
✅ A faith-based community that helps with medical expenses
✅ A health share based on Christian principles
2. ❌ “Deductible” → ✅ “Member Responsibility Amount (MRA) or Initial Unshareable Amount (IUA)”
In a health share, members don’t have a deductible. Instead, they have a Member Responsibility Amount (MRA) or Initial Unshareable Amount (IUA).
While different health shares use different names, they all mean the same thing—it’s the amount you pay before the health share will start sharing in your medical expenses.
One important thing to know? Choosing a higher IUA or MRA usually means a lower monthly contribution.
3. ❌ “Monthly Premium” → ✅ “Monthly Contribution”
Health share members don’t pay a premium like in insurance. Instead, they make a monthly contribution.
This contribution goes directly into the community fund to help share in the eligible medical needs of other members. It’s not a payment to an insurance company—it’s a way to participate in a community that helps each other with medical expenses.
4. ❌ “Claim” → ✅ “Need” or “Eligible Medical Event”
If a health share member has a medical expense they’d like to submit for sharing, they don’t file a claim—they submit a need.
A need is simply a request for the health share community to assist with medical expenses. Once submitted, the health share reviews the need based on its membership guidelines to determine if it qualifies for sharing.
Each health share has different rules on what’s shareable and how needs are processed—so reviewing the guidelines is key!
5. ❌ “Covered” or “Coverage” → ✅ “Shared” or “Eligible for Sharing”
Health shares do not “cover” anything because they are not insurance. Instead, they “share” in eligible medical needs.
If someone asks, “Is this covered?” I always clarify:
💬 “Health shares don’t cover anything, but this service may be eligible for sharing, depending on the membership guidelines.”
If a medical expense meets the guidelines and the member has met their IUA or MRA, the health share community steps in to share that need.
This small language shift helps people understand what to expect!
6. ❌ “Explanation of Benefits (EoB)” → ✅ “Explanation of Sharing (EoS)”
Instead of receiving an Explanation of Benefits (EoB), some health share members may get an Explanation of Sharing (EoS).
This document outlines how the medical need was shared among members and what, if anything, remains the member’s responsibility.
Each health share’s membership guidelines determine what is eligible for sharing.
Think of the member guidelines this way —it details what’s shareable, what’s not, and how the process works.
7. ❌ “Catastrophic” → ✅ “Health Shares Help with Large, Unexpected Medical Expenses”
One word that surprises people—I can’t say “catastrophic” when describing health shares.
Why? Because “catastrophic coverage” is an insurance term that refers to high-deductible insurance plans. Health shares are not insurance, and calling them catastrophic could make people think they work the same way.
There is one health share that offers a “Catastrophic Plan,” but they include clear disclaimers stating they are not insurance and explain exactly how it works.
To stay legally accurate, I—and most health shares—avoid the word “catastrophic.” Instead, I say:
✅ Health shares help with large, unexpected medical expenses
✅ Health shares provide a community-based way to handle major medical costs
Why This Matters
You might be wondering, “Why does it matter if I say ‘covered’ or ‘catastrophic’?” The answer is simple—clarity and transparency.
Health shares aren’t insurance, and using insurance terms could make people think they work the same way—or worse, that a health share is insurance when it’s not.
And honestly? That might be the best part! As a health share member, I love knowing that my monthly contribution helps real people with medical expenses—not just adding to an insurance company’s profits.
That’s what makes health shares different, and why I’m so careful with the words I use!
Health shares offer a unique, community-based way to manage medical costs—but they are not insurance. That’s why using the right words matters.
If you have any questions about health shares, drop them in the comments! I’d love to help.
What do you think about these language differences? Let me know below! ⬇️
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