Medical sharing or Christian healthcare ministries are relatively straightforward in the way they work. People of faith apply to be a member of the Christian healthcare share program and meet certain eligibility requirements. Once accepted, members choose the share program that best meets their medical and financial needs. Members then make a monthly contribution to the program based on the program chosen and receive a member ID card that reflects per-visit consult amounts and prescription costs from providers within the contracted networks. Before receiving medical services, Members present their member ID to the In-network provider and then pay any per-visit consult fee. When a member receives services for an eligible medical need, benefits are applied and a share request is submitted to the membership. Eligible medical needs are handled by the program in accordance with specific program guidelines.

Health sharing, or Medical sharing and Christian healthcare ministries, have been around since the 1980s. When the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was enacted many of these medical sharing programs were NOT subject to the individual mandate tax penalty, as they qualified as health coverage. With the 2019 reversal of the Obamacare tax penalty to $0, these health share programs, including emerging ministries, are exploding in popularity.

Although Christian health sharing is not insurance, it is recognized by the HHS as “coverage” and is a legitimate alternative to health insurance for many individuals and families. Members who choose health sharing are clearly advised that these programs are not health insurance.

While medical health sharing programs help with healthcare costs, medical health sharing programs are not insurance plans. Medical health sharing entities are non-profit, charitable organizations that are designed to help members pay for medical expenses by utilizing funds from other members.

Health insurance plans must comply with the Affordable Care Act. This means that insurance health plans must accept all sorts of people with all sorts of medical issues. This can drive up the total cost of insurance plans and put comprehensive plans out of financial reach for many Americans.

Medical health share programs, on the other hand, are not bound by ACA requirements and therefore can be more selective in their approval of members, which can ultimately result in cost savings for the entire membership.

Medical health share plans or Christian healthcare ministries are relatively straightforward in the way they work. People apply to be a member of the health share program and often need to meet certain eligibility requirements. Once accepted, members choose the share program that best meets their medical and financial needs. Members then make a monthly contribution to the program based on the program chosen. Before receiving medical services, Members present their member ID to the in-network provider and then pay any per-visit consult fees. When a member receives services for an eligible medical need, benefits are applied and a share request is submitted to the membership. Eligible medical needs are handled by the program in accordance with specific program guidelines. Health care sharing is not insurance, but the plans can count as insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). 

Medical health share plans are relatively simple in the way they work. People apply to be a member of the medical healthcare share program and meet certain eligibility requirements. Once accepted, members choose the share program level that best meets their medical and financial needs. Members then make a monthly contribution to the program based on the program chosen. When receiving medical services, Members present their member information to the In-network provider and pay any per-visit consult fee. When a member receives services for an eligible medical need, benefits are applied and a share request is submitted to the membership. Eligible medical needs are paid by the program in accordance with specific program guidelines.

Medical health share plans or Christian healthcare ministries are relatively straightforward in the way they work. People apply to be a member of the health share program and often need to meet certain eligibility requirements. Once accepted, members choose the share program that best meets their medical and financial needs. Members then make a monthly contribution to the program based on the program chosen. When receiving medical services, Members present their member ID to the in-network provider and then pay any per-visit consult fees. When a member receives services for an eligible medical need, benefits are applied and a share request is submitted to the membership. Eligible medical needs are handled by the program in accordance with specific program guidelines. Health care sharing is not insurance, but the plans can count as insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  Health share plans offer healthcare with a range of benefits that are typically more affordable and more flexible.

There are many medical health share providers each with varying programs options and benefits. Compare health share reviews and programs here.