If you’ve heard of Medi-Share, you’ve likely seen claims that it can help with health care expenses.
Wondering how it actually works? We examined the program’s structure and limitations to determine whether Medi-Share is a suitable choice. Below is our assessment.
What Is Medi-Share?
Medi-Share is a medical cost-sharing ministry run by Christian Care Ministry, composed of members who come together based on shared Christian beliefs.
Like other faith-based sharing programs, it depends on members contributing financially and supporting one another, including through prayer.
The mechanics resemble conventional health insurance in some ways. Members select an amount they’ll cover themselves (called the Annual Household Portion, or AHP) before they can request the community’s help with bills.
A monthly share payment functions similarly to an insurance premium, maintaining your eligibility for help when medical needs arise.
There’s no guarantee Medi-Share will pay your medical costs, and there are numerous exclusions to review before joining.
If you can comply with its requirements and you’re generally healthy — note that many preventive services and mental health treatments aren’t covered — you might consider this alternative to traditional insurance.
How Much Does Medi-Share Cost?
First, the initial charges: the application fee is $50, and there’s a $120 one-time member fee collected with your first monthly share. You’ll also pay a $2 one-time fee to create your “sharing account.”
Monthly payments are structured a bit like choosing a deductible and premium level in regular insurance.
For illustration, we modeled pricing for a 30-year-old woman in Florida enrolling just herself. Share amounts are adjusted each year based on the oldest household member.
If she opts for a $12,000 Annual Household Portion — the amount of medical costs she must cover before seeking sharing assistance — her standard monthly share would be $120. (For the first year she qualifies for a 30% discount, lowering the monthly share to $84. That promotional discount was available through June 30, 2022; Medi-Share may run other discounts later.)
If she satisfies certain health and fitness criteria, she might earn a Healthy Monthly Share rate, trimming the cost by 5% to $80 per month at the discounted level.
Many people will find a $12,000 AHP to be high. The Florida example also shows options for a $9,000 AHP ($114 discounted monthly share, $162 without the discount), $6,000 AHP ($139 discounted monthly share, $198 without discount) and $3,000 AHP ($181 discounted monthly share, $259 without discount).
Note: If you enroll as a family, you’re responsible for a single Annual Household Portion rather than separate per-person deductibles common in some insurance plans.
How Does Medi-Share Work?
As a member, you pay a monthly share akin to a premium. Members who have already met their AHP and require financial help with eligible medical bills can receive funds contributed by others.
When you seek care from a Medi-Share network provider, you’ll pay $35 for routine doctor visits or hospitalizations and $200 for emergency room visits.
Give your member ID card at the time of treatment. Your provider then sends the remaining charges to Christian Care Ministry to request discounts and to determine whether those charges qualify and how they apply to your AHP.
After your household reaches the AHP, you can submit eligible bills for sharing consideration.
Christian Care Ministry operates as a 501(c)(3), but your monthly shares are not tax-deductible.
Note: Once you turn 65 and become eligible for Medicare, you can leave Medi-Share or transition to the Medi-Share 65+ plan, which has a $500 Annual Household Portion.
Do You Need to Be Religious to Use Medi-Share?
Medi-Share emphasizes a community where members support each other and also expects members to align with its interpretation of Christian lifestyle standards.
“Medi-Share members and their dollars do not pay for abortions, drug addictions, or any other unbiblical lifestyles,” the FAQs state.
Certain medical conditions, such as heart disease, high cholesterol, or diabetes, can place applicants into the required Health Partnership Program, which pairs you with a health coach and carries an additional $99 monthly fee.
What Does Medi-Share Cover?
Eligible medical expenses — subject to Christian Care Ministry’s judgment — count toward your AHP.
Plans include an annual physical exam. Telemedicine consultations are free of charge.
Prescription medications may be eligible for sharing, but only for up to six months over a member’s lifetime.
Maternity care and even adoption-related expenses can qualify for sharing. Testing and treatment for COVID-19 are also eligible.
Behavioral and mental health services are excluded. That includes psychiatric and psychological care, plus “counseling or care for learning deficiencies or behavioral problems” such as ADD or autism.
A significant limitation: routine preventive screenings aren’t eligible for sharing.
For example, if your doctor recommends a screening colonoscopy based solely on age, you generally cannot submit it for Medi-Share payment. If symptoms justify the test, the program may approve payment.
Dental and vision services are also excluded, though Medi-Share promotes discount programs for dental and vision care.
What if You Have an Ongoing Health Condition?
While Medi-Share may appeal to generally healthy individuals, people with chronic illnesses are usually better served by Affordable Care Act-compliant health insurance for comprehensive coverage.
“The primary purpose of Medi-Share is to help share members’ burdens,” the program explains. “Burdens are those unexpected medical bills you are unable to plan for (ie. broken bones, cancer, etc). Low monthly share amounts enable you to budget for your family’s routine care, which can be planned.”
So, Is Medi-Share Legit?
Our verdict: Medi-Share is a legitimate program with a sizable membership supporting it and similar ministries.
However, it is unlikely to be the most economical health-care choice for most households. The best candidates are in excellent health and have substantial savings to cover routine medical costs out of pocket.
One important caveat: Medi-Share and other cost-sharing ministries aren’t regulated in the same way as ACA plans.
Consequently, whereas traditional insurance often lays out guaranteed coverage limits and specific benefits, Medi-Share members may not be able to determine in advance which medical bills the ministry will approve.
Although Medi-Share may not be the optimal financial option for many, it provides an alternative for people without employer-provided insurance or for those who find individual ACA policies unaffordable.
