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Imagine a world where individuals come together to share healthcare costs, creating a system that supports each other’s medical needs. This is not just a pipe dream; it’s a reality brought to life by Universal HealthShare, a unique alternative to traditional health insurance.
Short Summary
- Universal HealthShare is a health sharing program that pools contributions from its members to cover eligible medical expenses.
- It offers seven unique programs, with access to a comprehensive healthcare provider network and ancillary services such as vision, dental and chiropractic care.
- Universal HealthShare may be beneficial for individuals in good health who do not anticipate significant medical expenses. It is important to understand the policies regarding pre-existing conditions before joining.
Understanding Universal HealthShare: How It Works
Universal HealthShare is a health sharing program that operates on the principle of pooling contributions from its members to cover eligible medical expenses. The maximum annual co-share amount that a member can select in this program is $9,000, ensuring a cap on out-of-pocket expenses.
In addition, members in Colorado have access to FlexCare, a program that provides mental and behavioral health services, ensuring that high medical costs do not drain their bank accounts. This kind of innovative approach to healthcare stands as a testament to the uniqueness of the Universal HealthShare plan.
Exploring the Sharing Program
Universal Healthshare, a sharing ministry, offers a suite of seven different sharing programs catering to different needs and budgets, making it easier to manage your bank account.
Let’s delve into the intricacies of these programs and understand how they function individually.
Universal Health Fellowship
The Universal Health Fellowship is a non-profit entity that promotes the sharing of eligible health care costs among plan members united by shared ethical, moral, and spiritual principles. This not only fosters a sense of community, but also facilitates voluntary contributions towards healthcare expenses.
The Fellowship goes a step further in providing assistance to members, helping them procure hospital quotes and apply for available financial aid. This guidance is invaluable in navigating the sometimes complex landscape of healthcare and financial aid applications.
Provider Network and Ancillary Network
Keeping in mind the diverse healthcare needs of its members, Universal Healthshare provides access to a broad provider network. This network is comprised of healthcare providers who have agreed to provide medical services to the plan’s enrollees.
Additionally, Universal Healthshare offers ancillary services, which are generally not included in traditional health insurance plans. These services include vision care, dental care, and chiropractic care, expanding the coverage beyond just basic health needs.
Personal Benefits Managers
Personal Benefits Managers play a crucial role in the Universal Healthshare ecosystem. They assist members in managing their healthcare needs and expenses, providing personalized support. Understanding healthcare options can be a daunting task, and that’s where a personal benefits manager comes in. They guide members through the healthcare system and help them capitalize on the advantages of their healthcare plan. Having this personalized support can save members both time and money while ensuring they make the best healthcare decisions.
Eligible Medical Expenses and Health Care Costs
Universal HealthShare programs offer a broad range of coverage for various medical expenses and healthcare costs. From physician and hospital visits to prescription drugs and ambulance transport, Universal HealthShare members can rest assured that their healthcare needs are covered.
In addition to these medical expenses, preventive care, mental health services, and even vision and dental care are eligible under Universal HealthShare programs. This comprehensive medical care coverage ensures that members have access to a wide spectrum of healthcare services, providing them with peace of mind.
Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle: Requirements and Benefits
Universal HealthShare encourages its family and community members to lead a healthy lifestyle to be eligible for its benefits. This includes consuming a nutritionally balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and abstaining from smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle brings a myriad of benefits. It helps reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. It also promotes physical and mental health, boosts energy levels, and enhances sleep quality.
Universal HealthShare Reviews: What Members Are Saying
To understand the real value of Universal Healthshare, it’s crucial to hear from the members themselves. Reviews and testimonials provide an insight into the experiences of actual users, highlighting both the advantages and disadvantages of the programs.
However, it’s important to note that experiences can vary. For instance, some users have expressed concerns over the provider directory, stating that they were unable to find any physicians listed. Other issues raised include difficulties in getting reimbursements and problems with plan termination.
Comparing Universal HealthShare to Traditional Health Insurance
When compared to traditional health insurance, Universal Healthshare presents a unique approach. Unlike insurance where an insurer assumes responsibility for someone’s medical expenses, Universal Healthshare operates on a model where members share the cost of medical expenses.
The cost differences are also significant. Universal Healthshare programs generally feature lower monthly premiums than traditional health insurance plans. Additionally, Universal Healthshare offers more flexibility, permitting members to select their own doctors and hospitals, while traditional health insurance may have limitations on provider choice.
The Availability of Universal Healthshare Across the United States
Universal Healthshare programs are widely available, although it’s important to note that there are some states where it is not currently offered. Universal Healthshare is not currently available in ten states: Alaska, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Washington. We are working hard to expand to these states soon.
However, it’s worth keeping an eye out for updates as the availability may change in the future.
Who Can Benefit Most from Universal Healthshare?
Universal Healthshare is ideally suited for individuals in good health who are exploring alternatives to traditional health insurance open enrollment. So, if you are in good health and do not anticipate significant medical expenses, Universal Healthshare could be a viable option for you.
However, it’s important to note that traditional health insurance may be a more suitable choice if you or a family member has significant pre-existing conditions that require immediate coverage.
Navigating Pre-Existing Conditions and Waiting Periods
One of the key aspects to consider before joining a health sharing program is understanding how it handles pre-existing conditions and waiting periods. Different healthshare programs have varying policies regarding pre-existing conditions.
For instance, the UHS SmartShare program has a 90-day waiting period before you can access the full range of benefits. However, there are exceptions to this, such as office visits for pediatric, specialty, primary care, or urgent care, and annual preventive and wellness care, which have no waiting period.
Summary
In conclusion, Universal Healthshare offers an innovative approach to healthcare, providing a community-driven alternative to traditional health insurance. With a range of sharing programs, extensive coverage, and a focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, it presents a viable option for many individuals and families. However, it’s essential to thoroughly understand the program’s nuances, including the handling of pre-existing conditions and waiting periods. As with any significant decision, it is always best to carefully research and compare various programs to find the one that best meets your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is universal HealthShare?
Universal HealthShare is a health care cost sharing program from Universal Health Fellowship based on ethical, spiritual, and religious beliefs and the tradition of community aid.
The program is designed to help members share medical costs with each other, while also providing access to a network of health care providers and other resources. Members are able to access discounts on medical services, as well as access to a variety of other benefits.
What are the problems of universal health coverage?
The main challenges of UHC include lack of accountability, poor health resource management, unequal power in healthcare decision-making, and unregulated and fragmented healthcare delivery systems.
The aging population is also increasing the risk of geriatric health issues, making the goals of UHC increasingly difficult to reach.
Is universal health care good?
Universal health care would provide cost savings and better health outcomes, as demonstrated by a June 2022 study which found the US could have saved $105.6 billion in COVID-19 hospitalization costs with single-payer universal health care.
Overall, it is clear that universal health care is beneficial.
What services does the Universal Health Fellowship provide?
The Universal Health Fellowship provides its members with assistance in procuring hospital quotes and applying for available financial aid.
Do I recommend Universal HealthShare?
I really want to help people find a great health share that cares about providing good customer service and financial relief when large and unexpected medical bills come their way. Health Sharing is a good option for those who are looking to save money and find an affordable alternative to health insurance.
I recommend looking at my article on the Best Health Share Plans. You will find which health share plans I recommend to help you on your search for affordable healthcare.
Write a Universal HealthShare Review
Are you a current or former member of Universal HealthShare? If you have any experience with Universal HealthShare, please write a review! Reading other people’s Health Share experiences is a huge when trying to make a decision about which Health Share to join. In fact, over 90% of people will read online reviews before they buy a product or service! Please consider writing a review!
Please don’t make the mistake of falling for this
I never write negative reviews but my Universal HealthShare plan is nothing more than a scam. This has been the biggest disappointment and struggle to navigate just to pay for EVERYTHING OUT OF POCKET. When I originally signed up, I spoke to somebody and told them EXACTLY what I needed coverage for (specifically therapy, psychiatry, and prescription coverage) and they upsold me on a plan that they promised fit all my needs. Unfortunately, I took their word for it. After searching through the list of providers available on the member portal and calling 15-20 providers, every single one of them told me they didn’t accept this insurance. YES- I even told them it was PHCS Multiplan. So then, i get on the phone with customer service asking why this is happening and they tell me mental health isn’t shareable so I have to pay out of pocket ($500 for each 40 min session) AND they told me I would have to pay out-of-pocket for my first prescription, and then every prescription after that would be covered. I call again today (new customer service agent) to ask them which pharmacy I should give my doctor for my prescriptions and they tell me “prescriptions aren’t covered under your plan” and try to upsell me on their “Rx Simpleshare” plan that will partially cover prescriptions that are on their formulary. So $350/ month over the course of several months all for nothing. They do not have your health and best interest at heart which is such a horrible feeling when you’ve made your needs very clear from the beginning. I feel so taken advantage of and so lost. Please don’t make this mistake.
This is a scam.
Universal HealthShare — The people you talk to are so very nice and they have the gall to hide behind this insurance being faith-based. This is a scam – they will tell you they have your doctor and have some details that sound convincing. They will tell you they cover every medical experience from the moon and back. Do not do this. I cancelled immediately after I got off the phone and actually did research I should have done before giving out my credit card. Also, learned from my brilliant nephew – if anyone asks for your security code on the back of your credit card over the phone – hang up.
Absolutely horrible company!
Absolutely horrible company! Initially my primary provider spent hours trying to authorize services. It was a nightmare for them. From dubious company information on my insurance card to getting people on the phone who were of any use. Finally after 4 months of enrollment and no claims they canceled my policy without any notification. My premiums were on auto-pay and I didn’t know I was canceled until I received an email today 5/9/23 that my policy will be canceled per my request on 12/10/22. Yes you read the dates right. Not only did I not request cancelation, but they drafted a premium payment on 12/22/22! My agent questioned them on all the above with no coherent response. Stay away from this company. They are either fraudsters or highly incompetent. STAY AWAY!
DO NOT PURCHASE THIS PLAN!!!
DO NOT PURCHASE THIS PLAN! I was unable to find any doctors listed under their providers list and I live in Manhattan. I emailed customer service on March 9th requesting to cancel my plan. When I checked my bank account today, I saw that they withdrew $395.69 from my banking account on April 15th.
When I called customer service, they said that they could go ahead and cancel my plan but refused to refund me. The customer service agent I spoke with stated that I should have called, however I do not see that a phone call is required for cancellation.
Copy and pasting the email I sent that was disregarded –
I am writing this so other people will not be scammed as well. Please beware!!
From: Bridget
Date: Thu, Mar 9, 2023 at 2:02 PM
Subject: Cancelling Health Sharing, Bridget
To:
Good afternoon,
I am writing to cancel my Health Sharing before my next billing cycle. I was misled as to what benefits were to be offered and many of the doctors listed on your website do not accept your plan. I would like to be refunded for my payments, due to the lack of medical care I have been able to receive through United Fellowship.
All my best,
Bridget
name to give doctor is multi plan Phcs once I understood that the plan worked perfect.
Multiplan.us That is where to locate doctors in network, Also PHCS is the oldest and largest PPO network in the USA I’m not paid to say this either i just have common sense. To say fraud at something just for not being able to understand it doesn’t make it a scam. Share plans are great for healthy people looking for options outside of open enrollment.
Fraud
This Universal Health Share is Fraud. I spent over 2000.00 dollars total for coverage for my wife and I. I was told that this coverage covered my Doctor and local Hospital. I showed the card that I finally got in the mail to my doctors office and they looked at it and informed me that they have never heard of it. I then filed a fraud claim since I went through my charge card to pay the monthly payment, which was over a 1000.00 dollars a month payment. I was later informed by my charge card that it was found that they weren’t fraud. Talk about pissed off. So I lost over 2000.00 dollars. Just because my charge card doesn’t know what the term FRAUD means. Don’t be a victim of fraud stay away from this FRAUD COMPANY…..
The shittiest health care coverage there is!
My experience with universal healthshare has been awful so far. It’s as if I didn’t have insurance since none of good healthcare providers, therapists have accepted this shitty insurance. It’s not worth paying $269 per month for an insurance that is not worth anything and that is in network. If I am paying this much I might as well get my money’s worth but I’m clearly not getting my money’s worth since I cannot use it to make appointments with good and high quality doctors who accept out of network insurance. I will be canceling this coverage and get a way better one. Your company sucks universal healthshittyshare! The good reviews below are from paid people. Don’t believe in their lies and get insurance elsewhere so you don’t get ripped off.
Response from Health Share 101
Hi Dana, I am so sorry you went through all that! Just to clarify, a Health Share plan is NOT Insurance.
I hope you find a more suitable option for your healthcare needs!
-Holly
