Orlando Harmon
Medi-Share is a Christian healthcare sharing ministry that offers an alternative to traditional health insurance. Members voluntarily share each other's medical expenses, and it is not regulated as insurance. While it serves a similar purpose to insurance, it is not considered insurance and has no legal obligation to pay out. It is a non-profit organisation with a stable financial history and offers high-quality care at an affordable cost.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of service | Health insurance alternative |
| Purpose | Serves the same purpose as health insurance |
| Regulation | Not regulated as insurance |
| Legal obligation to pay | No |
| Members | Share each other's medical expenses |
| Monthly costs | $400 |
| Cost compared to health insurance | Less expensive |
| Eligibility | Unpublished list of conditions for which anyone on Medishare could be dropped, including being overweight or smoking |
| Coverage | Full coverage from A-Z after a deductible of max $2,500 |
| Customer experience | Positive and negative reviews |
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What You'll Learn
Medishare is a Christian health insurance alternative
Medishare is not insurance and is not regulated as insurance. CCM and Medishare members are not legally obliged to share the payment of any medical expenses incurred by other members. Medishare members are exempt from the individual mandate in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Medishare does not rely on exemptions from insurance regulation that are given to healthcare sharing ministries in certain states. However, Medishare has elected to publish notices regarding this.
Medishare members can present an 'insurance card' to healthcare providers, who can then bill Medishare directly. Members can also send bills to Medishare for payment. This is a simpler process than traditional insurance, with fewer complexities regarding plans, deductibles, and copays. Medishare members are also able to mail cheques directly to each other to cover medical expenses.
Medishare offers similar benefits to traditional insurance, with lower out-of-pocket expenses. Monthly premiums are invested in non-profit organisations, rather than commercial businesses. Medishare claims that members save money on healthcare compared to insurance, with a typical family saving $500 per month. However, some users have disputed this, stating that Medishare did not cover much of what they claimed to, and that they were charged almost $400 a month.
Medishare has its own network of healthcare providers, but members can choose to go out of network for a 20% surcharge. There is no network restriction with Medishare, and members can see any doctor or choose any medical facility.
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It is not regulated as insurance
Medi-Share is a Christian health insurance alternative, where members voluntarily share each other's medical expenses. It is not regulated as insurance and is exempt from the individual mandate in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
This is because Medi-Share is not insurance and has no legal obligation to pay out. It is a "cost-share" program, where members pool their money to share the cost of each other's medical services. There is no contract to enforce, and members are not bound by any legal obligation to share in the payment of medical expenses incurred by another member.
This means that, unlike traditional insurance, there is no guarantee that medical expenses will be covered. While Medi-Share claims to have covered every eligible need in the last 24 years, there are reports of members facing high medical bills as Medi-Share did not pay. For example, one user reports that they had to pay more for an ultrasound because they had Medi-Share, and another mentions that they were charged $20,000 for a 6-hour ER visit.
Medi-Share also has strict policies and an unpublished list of conditions that can result in members being dropped from the program, such as being overweight or smoking. This lack of regulation and clarity can lead to uncertainty and unexpected costs for members.
While Medi-Share may offer lower costs and a simple process, it is important to understand that it is not insurance and does not provide the same guarantees and protections as traditional insurance. Members assume the risk of potentially high medical expenses, and there is no recourse if Medi-Share does not pay.
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Members voluntarily share medical expenses
Medi-Share is a Christian health insurance alternative that has been in operation since 1993. It is a healthcare sharing ministry where members voluntarily share each other's medical expenses. It is important to note that Medi-Share is not insurance and is not regulated as insurance. There is no legal obligation for members or the organisation to share in the payment of medical expenses incurred by other members.
Members of Medi-Share contribute to each other's medical expenses in accordance with guidelines that have been adopted by the members and administered by Christian Care Ministry (CCM). While it is not insurance, it serves the same purpose as health insurance. Members can present an "insurance card" to healthcare providers, who can then bill Medi-Share directly for adjudication. Members can also send bills to Medi-Share, who will then take care of the payment process.
Medi-Share offers tailored programs to meet the healthcare needs of its members at every stage of life, providing high-quality care at an affordable cost. Members can save up to 50% on their healthcare compared to health insurance. There is also full coverage for maternity care after a deductible of a maximum of $2,500, which can be reduced. There are no network restrictions, meaning members can see any doctor or choose any medical facility, hospital, or surgery center they prefer.
Medi-Share is a non-profit organisation, with members' monthly premiums invested in non-profit organisations rather than commercial businesses. This means that members' money is not used for advertising or other commercial purposes. While Medi-Share does not assume legal responsibility for members' medical expenses, it has been reported that they have consistently shared or discounted eligible needs.
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It is a non-profit organisation
Medi-Share is a non-profit healthcare sharing ministry. It is not insurance and is not regulated as insurance. Instead, members voluntarily share each other's medical expenses in accordance with guidelines adopted by the members and administered by CCM (Christian Care Ministry, Inc). Medi-Share members are exempt from the individual mandate in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
As a non-profit, Medi-Share is community-oriented and faith-based. It has pursued a biblical model of sharing for its Christian community for over 30 years. Members across the nation save up to 50% on their healthcare compared to health insurance, with the average monthly sharing of medical needs totalling over $40 million.
Medi-Share is an alternative to traditional health insurance, and it is marketed as such. It is often referred to as a "cost-share" program, where members share the cost of each other's medical services. Members can present an "insurance card" to healthcare providers, who then bill Medi-Share directly. Members can also send bills to Medi-Share themselves. While it is not insurance, it serves the same purpose, and members receive an insurance-like experience.
Medi-Share is a stable, well-organised non-profit with a long history. It is important to note that, as a non-profit, members are paying for its advertising costs. While it offers a simple process and high savings, it is not without its drawbacks. Members must be comfortable with the idea that other members are not legally obligated to share their medical expenses.
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It is a cheaper alternative to traditional insurance
Medi-Share is a Christian health insurance alternative that is generally less expensive than traditional health insurance. Members voluntarily share each other's medical expenses, and it is not regulated as insurance. It is a cost-share program where members pool their money together to cover each other's medical services. This means that members are not legally obligated to pay for each other's medical expenses.
While Medi-Share is not insurance, it serves the same purpose and offers similar benefits to traditional insurance. Members can present an "insurance card" to their doctor and have bills sent directly to Medi-Share for adjudication. However, it is important to note that Medi-Share has its own network of providers, and going out of network may result in paying a higher percentage of the bill.
Some people have reported positive experiences with Medi-Share, with one user stating that they were comfortable with the program and gladly recommended it to others. This user also noted that every eligible need had been covered in the last 24 years, either through sharing or discounting. Another user shared that Medi-Share covered everything for their mother-in-law's stroke after their version of a deductible.
On the other hand, some users have reported negative experiences, with one user stating that Medi-Share covered very little of what they claimed to cover and charged them almost $400 a month. This user felt they would have paid less if they had just paid out of pocket for each medical visit. It is important to note that Medi-Share has certain disqualifiers and an unpublished list of conditions that can result in members being dropped from the program, such as having a heart attack, being overweight, or smoking.
Overall, Medi-Share can be a cheaper alternative to traditional insurance, but it is important to carefully review the terms and conditions and understand the potential limitations and disqualifiers before joining.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Medishare is not commercial insurance. It is a Christian health insurance alternative that is generally less expensive than traditional health insurance.
Medishare members voluntarily share each other's medical expenses in accordance with guidelines adopted by the members and administered by CCM. Members can present an insurance card and have the facility and provider bills sent directly to Medishare for adjudication, then they are sent a lump sum.
Medishare is a non-profit organisation with no legal obligation to pay out. It offers similar benefits to commercial insurance, with much lower out-of-pocket expenses.
Medishare is not regulated and is not recognised as insurance by medical providers. It has been described as cumbersome and lacking a personal touch.
