Understanding How Healthshare Programs Work

• Healthshare vs. Health Insurance²

Here’s a brief overview of some of the pros and cons to consider if you are looking at healthshare programs:

• Monthly contributions, not premiums: Healthshare monthly contributions can be less than typical health insurance premiums.
• Managed costs: A healthshare provider’s push for greater affordability comes from the management of its membership base, administration costs, and regulatory requirements.
• Member requirements: Healthshare programs can have specific guidelines for members, such as requiring that members pursue a healthy lifestyle (e.g., avoiding smoking or excessive drinking.)
• Two million people: Healthshare programs are the choice for more than two million people, but they are not for everyone. They may not be the best fit for you if you have an immediate coverage need or ongoing medical issues.

Mutual Support

Unlike conventional health insurance, healthshare programs operate on the principle of shared responsibility and mutual support. Christians share those values, so it should come as no surprise to hear that a variety of programs are tied to churches and shared-belief systems. Here are some highlights about a couple of programs:

• Samaritan Ministries: A Christian healthcare sharing ministry. Members share each other’s medical expenses through financial support, prayer and ongoing encouragement. It’s not traditional insurance that requires regular payment for services. However, members are given guidelines for monthly share amounts.³
• Medi-Share Ministries: Also, a Christian healthcare sharing ministry. Like Samaritan Ministries, it’s designed to bring Christians together to share God’s blessing and to share each other’s burdens. Each month, members contribute toward the medical bills of Medi-Share members, and they are told which members their share dollars are helping.⁴

If you find yourself retiring earlier than expected, you might find yourself in a position where you are evaluating your healthcare choices. Healthshare programs might be worth a look, but it’s important to evaluate what health care choice is a good fit for your situation.