Last updated Mar. 12, 2023 by Charles Zemub
Health-sharing plans are insurance that allows you to share the cost of your medical expenses with other members. These plans aren’t for everyone, but there are situations where they make sense for both individuals and families.
In this article, we’ll explore health-sharing plans and how they work, what kind of coverage you can expect from them, and who might benefit from having one.
Liberty Share
Liberty Share is a Christian health-sharing plan that Liberty HealthShare operates. It has a monthly fee of $150, and its lifetime maximum is $1 million.
Liberty Share is a health sharing plan that Liberty HealthShare operates. It has a monthly fee of $150, and its lifetime maximum is $1 million. Liberty Share does not cover contraceptive devices, abortion services, or vasectomies.
Aliera Healthcare
- You’re a Christian.
- You want a health plan that will help you save money without sacrificing quality.
- You have a few extra bucks to contribute monthly for bigger savings on your medical bills.
If you’ve answered yes to these questions, Aliera Healthcare may be just what the doctor ordered. Aliera Healthcare is a health care sharing ministry focusing on reducing members’ out-of-pocket medical costs through various plans.
Aliera Healthcare is a Christian healthcare sharing ministry and National Christian Council on Health Care member.
The organization offers unique plans for individuals, families, and groups without deductibles or copays.
Christian Health Care Ministries
Christian Health Care Ministries has been a faith-based health-sharing ministry since 1982. It is a nonprofit organization with an annual deductible of $1,000 for single coverage and $2,000 for family coverage.
This plan has no individual or family maximum out-of-pocket costs. Coverage begins the first month after enrollment and does not have to be paid for upfront. In addition, there are no deductibles or other waiting periods before you start getting benefits from your plan.
If you enroll in Christian Health Care Ministries as a family, there are no restrictions on how many people can join (up to three adults and dependents).
But if you enroll as an individual or couple without children, there may be restrictions on who else can join your membership group; see their website for details.
Samaritan Ministries
Samaritan Ministries is a Christian health care sharing ministry without affiliation to any other church. It was founded in 1989 as a nonprofit Christian organization and now has a membership of over 200,000 families in the United States.
Samaritan Ministries offers memberships across several states, including Arizona, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.
Members contribute monthly or annually to the ministry while they receive medical care at discounted rates from participating providers who have agreed to provide discounts for Samaritan Ministries members.
Medi-Share
Medi-Share is a faith-based health insurance plan that functions similarly to other health-sharing programs. You can join if you are a Christian and must provide some proof of your religious affiliation.
In addition, you must be a member in good standing with your church or ministry before joining Medi-Share; the company will verify this information through its network of churches and ministries.
Medi-Share offers three different plans: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Bronze plan members share costs equally; members pay $6 monthly for medical expenses up to $2,000 yearly, while the company pays 80%.
The Silver plan has higher monthly premiums ($35) but lower out-of-pocket costs ($1,500 individual/$ 3,000 family). Gold plans have higher monthly premiums ($55-$65) and lower annual deductibles ($4K per individual/$ 8 K family).
Altrua HealthShare
- Costs: $0/year, $100/month, or $200/month
- Coverage: You may be eligible for coverage if you are a citizen of the United States or a legal alien who meets certain requirements.
- Benefits: Critical illness and accident coverage.
- Eligibility: To qualify, you must be 18 and make less than $50,000 annually (or less than 100% of the federal poverty level). If you are 65 or older, your income must fall below 125% of FPL.
- How to apply: You can start by filling out an online application here on our website! It’s super easy. Or call us at 1-800-FOR-HEALTH (36743) anytime between 9 am and 5 pm EST, Monday through Friday.
Our customer service team will guide you through each step until everything is completed. Remember, when applying for healthcare, it takes about two weeks for us to activate your membership, so, please allow this time frame before contacting us with questions about your status in our system.
Also, remember that during high volume seasons (such as tax season) we may experience longer wait times due to increased demand so please plan accordingly when calling us back later than expected.”
Liberty HealthShare
Liberty HealthShare is a health-sharing plan, but it’s also Christian. If you’re looking for a faith-based health plan that shares your values and beliefs, Liberty HealthShare may be the right choice.
Liberty HealthShare is one of America’s largest Christian health-sharing plans, with over 240,000 members. Membership is open to anyone who lives within their service area (Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, and Texas).
The monthly premium is $90 per month, while members pay $2,500 annually as a deductible if they need care beyond that amount during the year.
The Alliance
The Alliance is a nonprofit, Christian health-sharing plan. The Alliance aims to provide affordable health care for families and individuals who cannot afford traditional health insurance.
This program offers a savings plan for people who do not have access to traditional medical coverage or are not eligible for government programs like Medicaid.
The Alliance works similarly to other health-sharing ministries by pooling contributions from members together so that each member can receive medical care at discounted rates if needed.
Members pay annual membership fees and agree to live lifestyles that support the mission of The Alliance: “to be an agent of hope in the lives of those who are economically disadvantaged.”
They also agree only to use their membership when they truly need it. These are referred to as “truth claims” within the policy documents.
Members receive quarterly statements regarding their account activity to see how much money remains in their accounts after each cycle period ends (a quarter).
In addition, there are no penalties if someone uses his/her coverage less than expected during any given year; instead, he/she would simply have less money available when needed later on down the road (but still more than many other plans).
Zion Health sharing
Zion Health Sharing is a health care sharing program that has operated for over 20 years. In this article, we’ll detail the program and how it works.
We’ll also describe some of the most common benefits and concerns people have about this unique type of health insurance and its advantages over traditional insurance plans.
Founded in North Carolina in 1989, Zion Health Sharing is a Christian healthcare sharing program described as “a community of people who share a commitment to faith in God and love for one another.”
The company serves members throughout the United States and Canada through its network of affiliated doctors.
Zion differs from other health care sharing programs because it includes a layer of Christian teaching with its services.
The group’s website features a section called “Jesus on Health Care,” where visitors can find quotes from the Bible to read on subjects like suffering and healing, along with videos about how to live with integrity and honor God and their fellow man.
Christian healthcare ministries
Christian healthcare ministries are nonprofit organizations that provide services to the poor and uninsured.
Many of these organizations have religious affiliations and are supported by churches, but they are also available to people of other faiths.
Christian healthcare ministries exist throughout the US but have no central authority.
Each operates independently and has its own policies, practices, and beliefs about everything from eligibility requirements to the treatment methods offered.
Some focus on emergency care or specific services such as women’s health or addiction counseling.
Others concentrate on general wellness and prevention, while others still provide long-term care for those who otherwise cannot afford it.
There are dozens of different types of Christian healthcare ministries in America today, with many more continuing to come into being each year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Health Sharing Program?
Health-sharing programs are a new way to cover healthcare costs. They’re also an uncommon option for covering healthcare costs.
That’s because health-sharing programs aren’t insurance or tax-exempt savings accounts, either.
They’re a blend of the two, which creates all sorts of confusion. The best way to understand them is to consider how you use your money.
You might save some money in your bank account for emergencies or other important purposes, but you also spend money on things like groceries and leisure activities. Health-sharing programs work the same way.
Are health share plans a good idea?
Health share plans are a good idea for many people. Especially if you are in the young, healthy bracket, this might be a great option for you.
There are several different health share plans out there. Still, at the most basic level, they all work the same way: you pay a fixed monthly fee to access an enormous network of doctors, hospitals, and medical facilities nationwide.
Your membership lets you see any doctor in the network without additional fees or paperwork. You just need to call up the provider and coordinate an appointment.
Each health share plan has its own network of coverage providers, so you’ll have to research to find a provider that fits your needs and makes sense for your budget.
How much is Medi-Share monthly?
Medi-Share is a Christian health care sharing ministry, meaning members share each other’s medical bills.
It’s a great option for Christians who feel led to live their faith by helping those in need, and it’s also a great option if you’re looking to save money on your health insurance without compromising your morals.
Medi-Share charges an affordable $270 per year (or $20 per month), plus the cost of co-payments from doctors’ visits. This monthly fee covers all medical expenses for the entire family; no deductibles or hidden fees exist.
Medi-Share is not insurance but rather a health care sharing ministry. Members pay into the medical fund, and each time you need medical care, the cost of that care is shared by all members who have paid into the fund (including yourself).
This means that if someone else in your community has their appendix removed and spends $10,000 on surgery, then you’ll pay $10.
How expensive is Medi-Share?
Medi-Share is not a cheap health insurance plan. It’s actually significantly more expensive than the Affordable Care Act and other private health plans.
A single person earning $20,000 a year will pay just over $200 monthly in premiums for Medi-Share. This includes an additional $65 to cover the cost of dental care (more on this later). In total, this represents about 40% of their income.
This can be reduced if you’re willing to pay more and get less coverage. A couple that earns $120,000 and pays $570 per month will have their medical expenses paid for, but they’ll also need to pay for their own dental coverage.
Medi-Share does not cover many common pre-existing conditions. This means that if you or your family members have medical issues that were diagnosed in the past, you might want to consider another plan.
The most common pre-existing conditions include heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and arthritis. If you have one of these conditions, it doesn’t necessarily mean you wouldn’t qualify for Medi-Share.
It just means you’ll have to pay an extra charge and your regular premium. If you’re looking at a plan with a low monthly premium, be sure to ask if any extra fees are attached.
If you’re considering a plan with a high monthly premium, check the fine print and ensure it includes all the coverage options you need.
Can I cancel Medi-Share anytime?
Yes, you can cancel Medi-Share anytime and still be covered by the plan for the remainder of the year. You won’t have to pay anything for coverage, but you will have to pay the full cost of any medical services you receive until your cancellation date.
You do not need a physician’s referral or a note from your physician requesting the cancellation if it’s due to non-payment or non-coverage of premiums.
If you want to retain your membership, you must keep paying your monthly dues on time (no later than the 15th of each month) and ensure that all other members in your household are doing the same.
In fact, if even one member misses a payment, they’ll all be dropped from their coverage. If you want to cancel because of non-payment, you must pay for any medical services received up until your cancellation date.
If the plan was sold through an agent or broker, contact them immediately and inform them that you are discontinuing coverage.
If you cancel your coverage, you must pay for any medical services received up until your cancellation date. If the plan was sold through an agent or broker, contact them immediately and inform them that you are discontinuing coverage.
Summary
Health-sharing plans are a great option for those who don’t have insurance through work, can’t afford it, or have been denied coverage by an insurance company.
They allow you to share the cost of medical bills with other members of your community, which makes them ideal for people who want to stay healthy without spending too much money on premiums and deductibles.
Understanding exactly what these plans entail before signing up is important because they aren’t right for everyone.
