Is Medi share considered insurance?
Asked by: Elissa Rodriguez | Last update: August 17, 2025Score: 5/5 (26 votes)
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.
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.”
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.
Do health shares count as insurance?
HCSMs are not insurance and can't guarantee the payment of claims; i.e., while they may share funds with members who have health needs, they are not legally required to do so.
Medishare vs Samaritan Ministries (Pros and Cons of each)
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 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.
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.
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.
Does Medi-Share cover international travel?
Bottom line up front: Yes, the Medi-Share 65+ healthsharing plan does help share medical expenses you may incur while traveling outside the United States.
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?
Welcome To The Medi-Share Family
With almost half a million members across America, the Medi-Share community is vibrant and strong. Join the most trusted health care sharing ministry where members have been faithfully sharing since 1993.
What is the difference between Medi-Share and samaritan?
Medishare receives the bills direct from the provider, Samaritan members receive the bills themselves and send those on to Samaritan to be shared.
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.
How do you qualify for Medi-Share?
Applicants and dependents provide medical and lifestyle information during the application process via an Online Medical Questionnaire (OMQ). The Head of Household should answer these questions for all members of the household. This helps determine qualification for Medi-Share membership and eligibility for sharing.
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.
Does Medi-Share count as insurance?
It is important to understand that MediShare plans are NOT health insurance. As a Christian Ministry, the concept is based on the Biblical princple of bearing one another's burdens. Please refer to the MediShare Membership Guidelines to see the fine print on how needs are shared and what limitations there are.
Do emergency rooms accept patients without insurance?
You'll be charged afterwards, whether you can pay or not. The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), a federal law passed in 1986, requires anyone coming to a hospital emergency room to be stabilized and treated, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.
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.
Is Zion health Mormon?
The Zion Difference
Unlike many other health sharing communities, we do not have any religious requirement to join. We provide a transparent, innovative, community-driven approach to managing healthcare costs that is open to individuals, families, companies, and organizations.
Can you have a health savings account with Medi-Share?
HSA and Medi-Share: Health Savings Accounts (HSA) only work with high-deductible health insurance plans, so members of health care sharing ministries are not able to take advantage of HSAs. Health care sharing ministry programs are not offered by an insurance company, and the benefit is not insurance.
Does Medi-Share cover weight loss surgery?
Does Medi-Share Cover Weight Loss Surgery? Yes, Medi-Share generally considers medically-necessary bariatric and/or liposuction and similar surgeries to be sharable medical expenses, though subject to some pre-existing condition restrictions. Elective weight loss surgery will not qualify as shareable with Medi-Share.
Does Medi-Share have vision insurance?
As part of your Medi-Share membership, you have 24/7 on-demand access to affordable, quality healthcare, as well as incredible savings on dental, vision and hearing services.
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.