A Community Approach to Healthcare Expenses

Healthcare costs seem to be steadily on the rise. Many individuals and families are seeking alternative solutions to traditional health insurance. One increasingly popular option gaining traction is health cost sharing, a concept rooted in community support and mutual aid.

Some prominent companies that we have heard of are Samaritans, Medi-share, and Crowd Health. Health cost sharing operates on the principle of individuals pooling their resources together to cover each other's medical expenses. Unlike traditional insurance, where premiums are paid to a central entity, health cost sharing involves members contributing a monthly share amount directly to the eligible member to cover their medical expenses.

At the heart of health cost sharing companies is the sense of community. Members join together with a shared purpose: to support one another in times of medical need. This communal approach fosters a sense of involvement and mutual care, often extending beyond just financial assistance to include emotional and moral support as well.

One of the key advantages of health cost sharing is flexibility and affordability. Monthly share amounts are often lower than traditional insurance premiums, making it an attractive option for individuals and families looking to manage their healthcare expenses more effectively. Additionally, many health cost sharing companies offer customizable plans tailored to individual needs, allowing members to select coverage options that align with their health and budgetary requirements.

Furthermore, health cost sharing is often rooted in shared values and beliefs, with many organizations operating on principles grounded in faith or specific ethical or philosophical guidelines. This can create a sense of belonging and shared identity among members. It also may open up coverage for alternative treatments that may align with the particular community that would not have otherwise been considered an expense covered by a traditional insurance provider. 

It's important to note that health cost sharing is not insurance, and as such, it may not be subject to the same regulations, laws and consumer protections. Members typically share medical expenses out-of-pocket and submit claims for reimbursement, which means the member may need to pay for expenses up front prior to reimbursement. Luckily many healthcare providers also like avoiding using insurance and will provide significant discounts and payment plans.

The appeal of health cost sharing continues to grow, particularly among those seeking an alternative to the complexities and rising costs of traditional health insurance. By embracing a community-driven approach to healthcare expenses, individuals are not only finding financial relief but also a sense of belonging and support in their journey toward wellness.

Here are two practical examples:

1. You want to see a functional medicine doctor for your condition and where this would not have been covered by traditional health insurance, it's shared because this is how YOU choose to have your care. 

2. We realize we are biased but we believe our method is the best way to do physical therapy and with health sharing, our one-on-one, personalized physical therapy services are sharable because the community is invested in seeing you better. 

My family personally uses Samaritans Ministries and members have shared over $50k of Britt's medical expenses. Even though this is a huge amount, we firmly believe that because we were able to seek out care and professionals who had Brittany’s best interest at heart, we also prevented thousands and thousands in healthcare costs and saw healing faster than she would have otherwise experienced.