Have you ever found yourself struggling to afford the rising costs of healthcare? If so, you’re not alone. Many individuals and families are turning to healthcare-sharing ministries (HCSMs) as an alternative to traditional health insurance.

HCSMs are faith-based organizations that operate on the principle of members sharing healthcare costs with one another. By pooling their resources, members can often access healthcare at a lower cost than traditional insurance plans. When a member has a medical expense, they submit the bill to the HCSM, and the organization uses the money contributed by members to pay for that expense, up to a certain amount determined by the specific plan.

While HCSMs offer an alternative to traditional insurance, it’s important to note that they are not the same. HCSMs are not insurance companies and are not regulated by state insurance departments. As such, they may have different requirements and restrictions than traditional plans. Members should carefully review the plan documents to understand what expenses are eligible for sharing and what limits there may be.

In addition to sharing medical expenses, many HCSMs also provide resources to help members live healthy lifestyles. These can include wellness programs and discounts on health-related services. However, it’s important to note that HCSMs typically require members to adhere to certain lifestyle requirements, such as abstaining from tobacco and drugs, and may have religious affiliations.

At the end of the day, HCSMs can be a great option for those seeking an alternative to traditional health insurance. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at six HCSMs: Liberty HealthShare, Altrua HealthShare, OneShare Health, Medi-Share, Samaritan Ministries, and Christian Healthcare Ministries. It’s important to carefully review the details of each plan to determine which one is the best fit for your unique healthcare needs.

In this blog post, we will take a closer look at six healthcare-sharing ministries: Liberty HealthShare, Altrua HealthShare, OneShare Health, Medi-Share, Samaritan Ministries, and Christian Healthcare Ministries.

 

 

Christian Healthcare Ministries

Christian Healthcare Ministries is a non-profit healthcare-sharing ministry designed for Christians who are committed to following Biblical principles. The monthly share amount ranges from $90 to $235 for individuals and from $180 to $560 for families of three or more. Members are responsible for an annual unshared amount (AUA) ranging from $1000 to $5,000, depending on the program. Christian Healthcare Ministries allows members to choose any doctor or hospital, and there are no network restrictions.

 

 

Medi-Share

Medi-Share is a non-profit healthcare-sharing ministry designed for Christians who are committed to a healthy lifestyle. The monthly share amount ranges from $64 to $343 for individuals and from $145 to $1,098 for families of three or more. Members are responsible for an Annual Household Portion (AHP) ranging from $3000 to $12000, depending on the program. Medi-Share has a network of healthcare providers, and members must choose a provider within the network.

 

 

Samaritan Ministries

Samaritan Ministries is a non-profit healthcare-sharing ministry that offers two programs: Samaritan Classic and Samaritan Basic. The monthly share amount ranges from $99 to $168 for individuals and from $263 to $596 for families of three or more. Members are responsible for an Initial Unshareable Amount (IUA) of $400 to $1500. Members are free to choose any doctor or hospital, and there are no network restrictions.

 

 

Liberty HealthShare

Liberty HealthShare is a non-profit healthcare sharing ministry that offers three sharing levels: Liberty Complete, Liberty Plus, and Liberty Share. Each level has its own monthly share amount, starting at $119 for individuals, $238 for couples, and $499 for families. Liberty HealthShare members are also responsible for an annual unshared amount (AUA) of $500 for individuals, $1000 for couples, and $1500 for families. Members are free to choose any doctor or hospital, and there are no network restrictions.

 

 

Altrua HealthShare

Altrua HealthShare is another non-profit healthcare-sharing ministry designed for Christians who are committed to living a healthy lifestyle and following Biblical principles. Altrua offers three sharing levels: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. The monthly share amount ranges from $136 to $617 for individuals and from $265 to $1,145 for families. They have a category for couples or as they call it Member Plus 1, that starts at $200 and can reach up to $1075. Members are responsible for a Member Responsibility Amount (MRA) ranging from $500 to $7500, depending on the sharing level. Altrua HealthShare has no network restrictions and allows members to choose any doctor or hospital.

 

 

OneShare Health

OneShare Health is a non-profit healthcare sharing ministry that offers three programs: Basic, Classic, and Complete. The monthly share amount starts at $89 for individuals. Members are responsible for an annual unshared amount (AUA) ranging from $5000 to $10000, depending on the program. OneShare Health allows members to choose any doctor or hospital, and there are no network restrictions.

 

Solidarity HealthShare

Solidarity HealthShare: Solidarity HealthShare is a non-profit health care sharing ministry based on the principles of the Catholic faith. Members share in each other’s medical expenses, with the monthly share amount ranging from $64 to $227 for individuals and from $384 to $658 for families. Members are responsible for an annual unshared amount (AUA) of $3000 for individuals and $12000 for families. Solidarity HealthShare provides access to a network of healthcare providers who share the same ethical and moral values.

 

Zion Health

Zion Health is a healthcare-sharing ministry created for Christian members who embrace the idea of pooling resources to cover medical expenses. The monthly cost of sharing ranges between $103 and $268 for individuals and $295 to $790 for families. Members are accountable for a yearly unshared amount (AUA) that varies from $1000 to $5,000, depending on the selected program. Zion Health offers the freedom to choose any doctor or hospital, with no restrictions on network providers.

 

 

In conclusion, healthcare-sharing ministries offer a unique alternative to traditional health insurance for those who are looking to share healthcare costs with like-minded individuals. While they may not cover all medical expenses and have certain restrictions, they can be a viable option for those who are committed to living a healthy lifestyle and following Biblical principles. Each of the six healthcare sharing ministries we discussed – Liberty HealthShare, Altrua HealthShare, OneShare Health, Medi-Share, Samaritan Ministries, and Christian Healthcare Ministries – has its own unique features and requirements, so it’s important for potential members to carefully review the plan details before making a decision. Ultimately, whether or not an HCSM is the right choice will depend on individual healthcare needs and personal beliefs.