Embarking on the journey of healthcare coverage can often feel like stepping into uncharted territory. With traditional insurance growing increasingly complex and expensive, many are finding solace in the alternative path of health share programs.  

As a member of a health share community, you’re part of a unique system where individuals pool resources to help pay for each other’s medical expenses. But in order to use your membership to its fullest, it’s important to understand how health shares function. 

Here are five key aspects you should explore to fully comprehend the intricacies of your membership and understand the importance of embracing it completely. 

What is a health share membership? 

Let’s start with the basics: a health share membership isn’t your typical insurance plan. In fact, it’s not health insurance. It’s a collaborative approach to handling healthcare costs, where members contribute a monthly amount that goes towards paying eligible medical expenses within the community.  

This model thrives on mutual support, shared beliefs, and common values, making it community-driven rather than purely financial alliance. 

Members contribute a monthly fee to be part of a health share community. It’s important to pay your monthly contribution in a timely manner for your medical expenses to be considered shareable.  

Know your health share’s guidelines 

Diving deeper into your membership means getting familiar with your health share’s guidelines and responsibilities. Each health share has its own guidebook regarding eligible expenses, sharing request submissions, and reimbursement protocols. Dedicating time to pore over your health share’s member guidelines is essential.  

What to look for in your member guidelines: 

  • Eligible Expenses: Understand the spectrum of medical expenses that are considered shareable, from preventive care to major procedures. 
  • Pre-Share Amount: Similar to a deductible, the pre-share amount is what you pay out-of-pocket before your expenses become shareable with the community. 
  • Provider Networks: Most health shares don’t restrict you to a provider network; however, some may ask that you visit providers in a preferred network. Unlike traditional health insurance, health shares will usually still share if you go out-of-network, but at a reduced rate.  

Focus on healthy living 

As a health share member, you agree to live a healthy lifestyle. By engaging in regular health maintenance activities, you can ward off significant health issues down the road.  

In recent years, health shares have started offering preventive sharing—which allows cost sharing for services like annual checkups and preventive screenings. Embracing the preventive services your membership supports will be beneficial for both your well-being and wallet. 

Health shares encouraging members to lead healthy lifestyles is a proactive approach to healthcare, aiming to prevent diseases before they start or catch them in their early, more treatable stages.  

Know the sharing request process 

Dealing with medical bills can seem intimidating, but understanding how to manage this aspect is a critical part of your health share membership.  

Ensure you’re reviewing bills for accuracy and adhering to your health share’s submission guidelines. Maintaining organized records of your medical interactions simplifies the sharing process and helps you leverage your membership effectively. 

If your health share has a reimbursement protocol, they will expect you to pay your medical bill and then submit a request to be reimbursed. Health shares will typically have step-by-step instructions on submitting a sharing request, so take time to read the fine print to make sure you’re submitting a request properly. 

If you have questions on the sharing request process, don’t be afraid to reach out to your health share! 

Engage with your health share community 

The essence of health share programs is the community. You’re more than a member; you’re part of a collective that values mutual aid and support.  

Many programs extend beyond financial assistance, offering resources like counseling or prayer networks. Engaging with these aspects and connecting with fellow members can amplify the support you receive, highlighting the true power of community. 

Getting a handle on your health share basics is key to maximizing your membership benefits. By getting to know the guidelines, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, adeptly handling medical expenses, and immersing yourself in the community, you will get the best start on your healthcare journey.