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When you’re thinking about joining a health share, there’s one thing you absolutely need to do before signing up:
? Read through the Member Guidelines.
I know… they’re long, boring, and full of legal jargon.
But trust me — they’re really important if you want to have a good experience as a member of any health share community.
Lately, I’ve seen a lot of reviews from people who clearly didn’t read the guidelines before joining — and it shows. Taking a little time upfront to understand what you’re agreeing to can save you from a lot of frustration later on.
Why Member Guidelines Matter
The member guidelines outline everything about how the health share works — what’s sharable, what’s not, and what you can expect as a member.
If you skip this step, you may end up disappointed or confused about what’s eligible for sharing.
Here’s what to look for when you read them:
1. What’s Sharable (and What’s Not)
Every health share defines what counts as an eligible medical expense.
That means you’ll want to know exactly which kinds of bills can be shared with the community — and which ones can’t.
Once you read through it, ask yourself:
- Does this make sense to me?
- Am I comfortable with these guidelines?
- Is this how I want my healthcare handled?
If something feels off or unclear, that’s your sign to dig deeper or ask questions before you join.
2. Caps and Limitations on Sharing
This is a big one that a lot of people overlook.
Some health shares have caps — limits on how much they’ll share for certain medical needs like surgeries, hospital stays, or maternity expenses.
For example, you might see a $100,000 limit and think, “That’s plenty.”
But when you start looking at real costs for major surgeries or extended hospital stays, you might realize that cap could run out faster than you think.
Also, some health shares have separate limits for things like:
- Motorcycle accidents
- Maternity or newborn care
- Specific procedures
If those are relevant to you or your family, make sure you’re joining a program that fits your needs.
There are health shares — like Zion HealthShare — that have no annual or lifetime caps on sharing for eligible medical expenses.
3. How Pre-Existing Conditions Are Handled
This might be the #1 factor in deciding whether a health share is right for you.
Each organization defines pre-existing conditions slightly differently, but generally, it means any illness, pain, or diagnosis (even undiagnosed symptoms) that existed before joining.
Here’s how it usually works:
- Some health shares never share expenses related to pre-existing conditions.
- Most others phase in sharing over several years:
- Year 1: Nothing shared
- Year 2: Limited sharing
- Year 3–4: Increased sharing
- Year 5+: Often treated as a regular, non-preexisting condition
If you currently have a condition or think you may need related care soon, this is something you must understand before joining. It may even determine whether a health share is a good fit for you at all.
4. How and When Medical Expenses Are Paid
Not all health shares handle payments the same way.
Some will:
- Pay your medical provider directly (for example, calling the hospital and paying by card).
Others will: - Reimburse you after you’ve paid the bill yourself.
Neither method is wrong — it’s just a matter of personal preference.
But what’s even more important is the timeline.
Every health share includes a statement in their guidelines about how long it can take for eligible expenses to be paid or reimbursed.
For example:
- Some say up to 90 days
- Others say 45 days
- A few process everything in as little as 10 days
That’s good information to know before you join.
I recently read a review from someone upset that their bills took 45–60 days to be paid. But when I checked that health share’s guidelines, it clearly said payment could take up to 90 days.
The health share actually did exactly what they promised — but the member didn’t know that because they never read the guidelines.
What I Wish Everyone Knew Before Joining
Reading the member guidelines isn’t fun — but it’s one of the smartest things you can do before joining a health share.
It helps you:
✅ Set realistic expectations
✅ Avoid unpleasant surprises
✅ Choose the right program for your situation
Ultimately, it’s the difference between being frustrated and having an amazing experience with your health share community.
? Next Step:
If you’re trying to decide which health share might be the best fit for your family, watch my full video series where I walk through how they work, what to watch out for, and which ones offer the most value for your money.
? Click here to start watching the videos
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.
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