Healthcare sharing is a means to pay for medical expenses and stay inside your budget while also assisting other Christians and upholding your Christian convictions. It's also logical for singles to take advantage of a medical cost-sharing program. This is because it gives you complete control over your healthcare expenses.
It's vital to keep in mind that healthcare sharing is not the same as insurance. Instead of paying a monthly premium, your monthly share will be donated to a fellow health sharing member in need. Then, when it's your turn, you can ask members to split the expense of your medical care. All of your medical expenses are divided among community members, and it's a liberating way to take care of your health while also helping others.
So, let’s take a closer look at some of the reasons why healthcare sharing makes sense for singles.
Healthcare Sharing Background
If you become anxious every time open enrollment rolls around, or if you aren't eligible for an ACA tax credit, you may find yourself torn between paying expensive monthly premiums or going without coverage altogether. This is where healthcare sharing enters the picture.
Christian health sharing ministries, faith-based healthcare sharing, medical cost-sharing and Christian care ministries are all terms used to describe non-profit health sharing organizations. Members send in shares on a monthly basis, which are allocated to or on behalf of other members with medical needs (as per program standards).
Singles and Shared Medical Expenses
Individual health insurance costs more than $450 per month on average across the country. Many people acquire health insurance through a group plan sponsored by their work or union, but others have to buy it on their own. You are acquiring an individual plan if you purchase your own health insurance. Finding the perfect plan, especially if you're under 30, might be difficult.
Healthcare sharing ministries can be a great option for people who:
- Are generally in good health
- Are not eligible for a tax credit based on income
- Are experiencing a lack of access to insurance through an employer or government program
- Aren’t able to get coverage from missing open enrollment
- Can’t afford current health insurance premiums
Plus, with medical cost-sharing, you get to pick the provider at the price that’s most affordable to you.
What’s Shared in Healthcare Sharing Programs?
Each ministry will have its own set of eligibility requirements, but Liberty Healthshare members* share these types of conventional or naturopathic physician visits, including:
- Wellness and screening appointments
- Clinic visits
- Urgent care/emergency room visits
- Hospital care (inpatient or outpatient)
- Physical therapy
- Speech therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Respiratory therapy
- Home health care
- Medical testing
- X-rays
- Ambulance transport
- Vaccinations
- Prenatal and maternity care
You can even get help with pre-existing conditions.
So, if you’re single and are thinking about medical cost-sharing, contact us today. Or download our free Healthshare Buyer’s Guide. You’ll learn more about what makes medical cost-sharing a more affordable option for healthcare for so many people.
*Eligible care is dependent on the program you are enrolled in. Please see What is Shared and Not Shared for each program in our Sharing Guidelines.
