Bottom Line
If you are looking for an affordable way to manage your medical expenses, Medi-Share is the way to go. It is an entirely reliable platform that can help you take care of your medication and lead a healthier life.
The Pros:
- Surprisingly cheaper than regular health insurances
- You can join and become a member anytime
The Cons:
- Unavailability of a Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Some medical providers may disregard Medi-Share
- No tax deductions
Do you sometimes tend to worry about your healthcare costs? Various members united by their faith have opened a platform allowing members to take care of each other through financial contributions.
Since its introduction in 1993, Medi-Share, a non-profit organization, has shared and discounted over $875 million among its members.
This article is a detailed insight into Medi-Share to help you determine whether it could be an excellent option for you.
What Is Medi-Share?
It is a non-profit healthcare sharing ministry composed of Christians united by their faith.
Here is what happens:
Each member places their monthly share every month, and those with health expenses use that money to clear their bills.
Medi-Share generally works like typical health insurance where members select the amount they intend to contribute as a household.
The monthly share payment ensures your eligibility for assistance should you submit your bills to the community requiring help.
There is no guarantee that all your medical expenses will be covered through Medi-Share.
But, people who are particularly religious and generally healthy can enjoy Medi-Share’s services more.
How Does Medi-Share Work?
The following are the basics of Medi-Share and how it works:
● Annual Household Portion (AHP)
Medi-Share members choose an AHP, which is almost similar to an annual deductible.
Your portion’s size determines the amount you need to pay to keep you eligible for sharing medical expenses.
● Provider Fee
You will still need to pay the provider fee for doctor visits and emergency room visits when visiting the hospital.
● Health Incentive
Medi-Share allows families to take up to 20% off their monthly contribution should they qualify for the health incentive.
The qualifications include BMI, blood pressure, and weight/waist measurements.
● Preferred Provider Organization
Medi-Share is taking massive steps towards partnering with the preferred provider organization, PHCS.
All members are encouraged to seek services from providers within the PHCS network.
How Much Does Mediprima-Share Cost?
When joining Medi-Share, new members have to cater for several costs, including $50 for application, a $120 one-time fee as your first monthly payment, and the final one-time fee of $2 to set up your account.
Medi-Share works like a health insurance deductible with a monthly premium fee.
When you are a Medi-Share member visiting a Medi-Share provider, you pay the upfront costs, which are $35 for doctor visits and $200 for emergency room visits.
You can submit any other bills to Medi-Share’s Private healthcare Systems (PHCS) for payment consideration.
What Medi-Share Covers
Medi-Share members are eligible for the following medical expenses:
1. Doctor Visits
You can talk to virtual doctors at no cost. Medi-Share can also cover your costs when you see a doctor in person.
But here is the catch:
The physician you choose to see needs to be a member of PHCS, Medi-Share’s primary provider.
2. Emergency Room Visits
Despite catering for other expenses, members have first to pay a $200 provider fee.
3. Hospitalizations
When Medi-Share patients are admitted to a hospital, they must pay the $35 provider fee for every hospital visit.
4. Prescriptions
It covers FDA-approved prescription medication per suitable treatment for the first six months.
5. Maternity
For every pregnancy event, Medi-Share limits sharing of expenses up to $125,000.
Additionally:
Your AHP should not be less than $3,000, and you must have shared information from the month of conception to the delivery.
6. Disability Expenses
Disabled people register to Medi-Share’s Manna program, which replaces up to 80% of income lost in a year.
7. Final Expenses
Medi-Share also shares up to $5,000 of funeral expenses.
Other costs that Medi-Share covers include:
- Well-child care
- Adoption costs
- Senior assist
What Medi-Share Does Not Cover
Despite being composed of a Christian community, Medi-Share considers some expenses ineligible. They include:
1. Dental, Vision, And Hearing
These expenses are ineligible for sharing, but Medi-Share provides members with savings cards that offer the following exclusive discounts:
- Dental – save 20% to 60% on most dental processes.
- Vision – you can save up to 30% on glasses, eye exams, surgery, and contact lenses.
- Hearing – get a 30% to 60% discount on hearing aids
2. Routine And Preventative Care
It includes vaccines, immunizations, lab studies, mammograms, and colonoscopies.
3. Alternative Care
Medi-Share does not share expenses for acupuncture, vitamins, or experimental treatments.
4. Fertility/ Infertility Care
It includes infertility testing, birth control, and sterilization services.
5. Counseling
It consists of services like dietary counseling, genetic counseling, or lactation counseling.
Other expenses that Medi-Share does not consider sharing include:
- Mental or behavioral care
- Cosmetic operations
- Hearing aids
- Non-prescription drugs
Essential Considerations When Choosing Medi-Share
While Medi-Share is a Christian community looking to help each other, It is not a charity program for the needy.
It is vital for Medi-Share members to believers in leading an active Christian lifestyle.
The following are some key details to consider to understand how Medi-Share works:
● No Coverage For Unbiblical Medical Expenses
Suppose you get into an accident for drunk driving or contract an STD from an extra-marital affair. In that case, you should not expect any coverage since your actions go against biblical principles.
● Be Of Christian Faith And Regular Church Goer
Every member is expected to fill and sign a form declaring their faith and sharing their church information.
● Restrictions For Maternity Expenses
If you are pregnant, you can’t simply get into the program when you are several months due and expect full coverage.
Pregnant women are only guaranteed full coverage if they were participating in the plan before the pregnancy.
● Restrictions For Pre-Existing Conditions
People who discover a major underlying medical condition may choose to jump to the program for help.
Unfortunately:
Medi-Share does not work that way. Instead, you need to have been faithfully sharing for a minimum of 36 months to receive the $100,000 annually for pre-existing conditions.
If you have been consistently sharing for at least 60 months, you can get up to $500,000 per year.
Medi-Share Vs. Liberty HealthShare
Medi-Share (3.6) | Liberty HealthShare (3.7) |
---|---|
$50 application | Initial fee added to your monthly share |
AHP options from $500 to $10,000 | (AUA) Annual Shared Amount ranging $1,000 to $2,250 |
$35 for doctor visits and $200 for emergency visits | Doctor visits: $45 primary care and $100 specialty care |
Conclusion
Medi-Share is a community of members who choose to support one another by sharing medical expenses.
The platform is Christian-based and offers some very excellent offers. However, there are some ups and downs, such as the unavailability of HSA.