Member Story: Melissa Searls

Melissa Searls', a Liberty HealthShare member since 2017, most recent holiday celebrations came right after a difficult season in her life. Her mother passed away.

"I was very blessed to have great Christian family," she said, reflecting on her upbringing in a small Ohio town.

She now resides with her husband, Dan, in Charlotte, North Carolina. She owns a spa, and he has retired from his career in the financial industry.

The Searls learned about Liberty HealthShare through a doctor. After joining, they loved being members and found that it worked for them.  

Together, they now point friends who need an affordable approach to healthcare towards the Liberty HealthShare community. Many they recommend to the ministry are self-employed therapists, like Melissa. Based on her own experiences, she believes that Liberty HealthShare's sharing programs are suitable for people like her who own a business and don't want to pay for an expensive health insurance plan.

"There is a niche of people that really need Liberty HealthShare. There are quite a few people that cannot afford insurance," she said.

"If you have insurance a doctor, clinic, or hospital will charge more than what someone would spend if they just paid their medical expenses themselves. It's just so sad," said Melissa. "It infuriates my husband because that's what drives all the cost up." 

Along with providing tools for their members to experience a fair pricing system that helps to drive healthcare costs down, Liberty HealthShare encourages members to avoid unhealthy habits and behaviors that drive up healthcare costs.

"I'm pretty healthy, so it's really peace of mind for me knowing that the community can be there for me if I get sick."

Being part of a like-minded sharing community where members care for one another is very important to Melissa.

"You never feel alone," she said. "We're all taking care of one another."

Members have their own online portal, ShareBox, where, in addition to accessing program details and other valuable member information, members can see how they support one another. Members can see where their monthly contribution goes to help other members in need.

"Honestly, it makes me feel good and like I'm caring for other people," she said. "Logging into my ShareBox and seeing people giving back makes me feel good and motivates me to do my part."

ShareBox is also where members request prayer and encouragement to one another. During her mother's illness, she asked other Liberty HealthShare members for prayer.

"During my mom's sickness, I pulled up the portal, and I was able to tell her that she was on the prayer list," Melissa recalled. "It means a lot to have something like that."