Is Medi-share considered insurance?
Asked by: Lew Koss III | Last update: July 9, 2025Score: 4.1/5 (9 votes)
Does Medi-Share count as health insurance?
This program is not traditional health insurance; instead, it functions as a cooperative, where members contribute monthly “shares” that are used to help pay the eligible medical bills of other members. These funds can be used by any member to payfor paying their medical bills.
Is Medi-Share real insurance?
Simply put, no Medi-Share isn't insurance, but most people wouldn't really be able to tell a difference. While it essentially serves the same purpose as health insurance, they are very clear that it is NOT insurance. They call it, “Christian Healthcare Sharing.”
What type of plan is Medi-Share?
Medi-Share Complete is a comprehensive alternative to health insurance. Medi-Share provides you with access to quality health care at an affordable monthly cost. With annual household amounts from $3k to $12k, Medi-Share Complete has options that fit your needs and budget.
What does Dave Ramsey say about Medi-Share?
After praising Christian healthcare sharing ministries in general, calling most of them "very reliable," Mr. Ramsey singles out Medi-Share's "great reputation." He then points out correctly that Christian health insurance alternatives are not insurance and don't face the same regulations as insurance companies.
Is Medishare Considered Health Insurance? - CountyOffice.org
What are the disadvantages of Medi-Share?
One of the major drawbacks of a health share plan is limited coverage. Unlike traditional health insurance, these plans may not cover chronic conditions, pre-existing conditions, or expensive treatments.
What kind of health insurance does Dave Ramsey recommend?
The Ramsey team and Dave Ramsey himself recommend high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) whenever possible. That way, you can enjoy lower monthly premiums, and you'll qualify to open a Health Savings Account (HSA). You can use those savings to cover health expenses and even invest.
Does Medi-Share cover emergency room visits?
In terms of practicalities, Medi-Share shares in doctor's office and emergency room visits as long as they are deemed eligible according to Medi-Share's member-voted guidelines. After an event, your provider submits your bills to Medi-Share.
What is the difference between health sharing plans and health insurance?
Some health share plans require new members to pay into the program for a year before newcomers have the option to share their health costs with the other members. Traditional insurance usually pays its portion of a claim and bills you for the rest, but health share plans reimburse you after you've paid up.
How much does it cost to have a baby with Medi-Share?
How much does MediShare cover for a single pregnancy event? Sharing is limited to $125,000 for any single pregnancy event, including antepartum care, the cost of delivery and complications to the mother and/or child(ren), and postpartum care.
Can you go to any doctor with Medi-Share?
A: Medi-Share uses a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) called PHCS. This means that members can choose from a network of over 4,400 hospitals, 79,000 ancillary care facilities, and 700,000 individual healthcare professionals nationwide.
How many people use Medi-Share?
As a faith-based program, members pray for each other and have agreed to share in expenses that align with their Christian faith. Each month, more than 400,000 Medi- Share members across America share more than $50 million of one another's medical expenses, approximately $650 million in medical bills annually.
Does Medi-Share cover pre-existing conditions?
Pre-Existing Conditions with Medi-Share
Here's how Medi-Share defines pre-existing conditions, which is a good guideline for other alternative plans: Medi-Share won't deny you for a pre-existing condition, but there may be a “phase-in” period before you'll get full coverage.
Is Medi-Share real insurance?
Medi-Share is not insurance. Medi-Share is a Healthcare Sharing Ministry as outlined in the Patient Protection Affordable Care Act. Each Medi-Share member is solely responsible for the payment of his or her own medical bills at all times.
Does Medi-Share pay for prescriptions?
Are prescriptions eligible for sharing? The cost of CMS or FDA approved testing, treatments, and up to six months of FDA approved prescription drugs per eligible condition will be considered for sharing.
What is the difference between Medi-Share and traditional insurance?
A key difference lies in how the costs are shared. As previously mentioned, health insurance premiums are paid to an insurance company which then pays for your health care costs. With Medi-Share, your monthly share amounts go directly toward sharing in other members' eligible medical needs.
Is sharing the same as insurance?
Health Care Sharing vs Health Insurance
Health care sharing is not insurance, but the plans count as insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). That means more affordable healthcare benefits while avoiding the tax penalty for going uninsured. Other pros of health care sharing over insurance include:Lower cost.
How do Medi-share plans work?
How Medi-Share Works. Each month, your monthly share is matched with another's eligible medical bills. Through a secure online portal, Medi-Share publishes the bills eligible for sharing and coordinates the direct sharing of medical costs between members.
Is healthcare coverage the same as insurance?
Healthcare and health insurance are terms that are often used interchangeably. However, healthcare, which typically includes elements like emergency room visits, preventative medicine, and prescription drugs, is far different than health insurance which provides coverage for medical services.
What will Medi-Share not cover?
No max-out-of-pocket limit – While Medi-Share covers most things you would expect a regular health plan to, it doesn't cover mental health, substance abuse counseling, and a few other areas. Remember, there is no coinsurance, so you're paying nothing for covered treatment after your deductible/AHP.
Is Medi-Share a high deductible health plan?
Medi-Share does not have deductibles in the traditional insurance sense, but it does have an annual household portion, which functions similarly to a high deductible.
Does Medi-Share count as insurance for taxes?
Since Medi-Share is a health sharing organization, and not a traditional Affordable Care Act-qualified insurance product, your monthly membership costs are not deductible on your individual income tax return.
What insurance does Suze Orman recommend?
One of my key life insurance rules is this: Stick with term life insurance. Unless you have someone in your family with special needs, there is typically no need to buy whole life, or universal life, which are referred to as “permanent” policies and cost a lot more.
What insurance company do millionaires use?
Chubb Insurance Masterpiece
Chubb is a premium insurer that specializes in serving successful families and individuals. With over a hundred years of experience in 50+ countries around the world, Chubb is a household name among high net worth individuals.