Liberty HealthShare Official Blog

We are all too familiar with the unrealistic New Year’s resolutions and how quickly they can fail. Here's a few simple tips and resources to help you reach your goals this year.

This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. 1 John 4:10 (New Living Translation)

We often receive questions from our members about the purpose of annual renewal fees. Without understanding the context of this yearly addition, many members contact us feeling confused and frustrated by the extra dollars added to their monthly share amount. There is no need for alarm, and we hope to equip members with the info they need to be savvy consumers both within the Liberty community and the greater context of medical health.

At the beginning of the year, our Social Media Specialist Sam Long resolved to begin a new journey of learning to enjoy the kitchen. She has written a blog series over the last several months about following healthy recipes and cooking from scratch. Join her on her most recent quest to conquer the world of quinoa, and enjoy a sweet bonus recipe in honor of Independence Day!

One of the most beautiful aspects of a sunny summer morning is the birdsong. Dozens of avian species have beautiful and unique sounds that greet the early riser. Jesus told his followers that God cares for the needs of sparrows, and you can hear their delight in his provision when they raise their voices. Long before Jesus's Sermon on the Mount, David worshiped God in the wilderness and used the same bird imagery to describe God's tender care.

We often say that the adjustment to a healthsharing mentality from a third-party payment system mentality can be a drastic one. New members don't always understand our push for personal responsibility and a community mindset right away. It is our privilege to come alongside and equip members because we believe it honors the biblical standard of caring for one's neighbor.

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 (English Standard Version)

As part of our Human Interest series on Liberty HealthShare staff members, we interviewed Leslie Brunk (pictured with her son), the supervisor of our Member Services department. She and her team function as the front line of Liberty's member care. Members call with questions about anything from the Sharing Guidelines to doctor appointments and talk to someone under Leslie's direction. Many members speak with Leslie when their complex medical circumstances require her hands-on guidance and expertise.

Yahweh your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will bring you quietness with His love. He will delight in you with shouts of joy. (Zephaniah 3:17 Holman Christian Standard Bible)

We believe that combating health care costs begins with caring for personal health. This value is at the core of our healthsharing model, as we encourage our members to take on responsibility for healthful choices before there are ever medical bills to share. To this end, we offer the HealthTrac Program to incoming members with pre-existing conditions like Type 2 diabetes, obesity, or smoking, that can be alleviated by healthy lifestyle changes. Members are paired with a personal health coach who helps them create and work towards achievable fitness and diet goals until they graduate from the program as fully integrated members of Liberty HealthShare. One of our members, Carla, reached out to us with her experience in the HealthTrac program since joining Liberty, and it is our pleasure to share her story.

Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass. Joshua 21:45 (ESV)

In today’s fast paced digital age, it can be a chore to keep your personal information safe from those who would misuse it. We want to equip you with these tips from our IT Security Team to thrive as a member of both Liberty HealthShare and the digital world.

From time to time, a member reaches out to us with a particular perspective and an offer to share his or her knowledge with fellow members. This was the case with Marcia W., a member and chef from New Jersey who was gracious enough to pass along some information on her experience of eating "close to the earth," along with a recipe for our readers to try. We followed up with Marcia and asked her to share a little bit more about how her philosophy regarding food relates to her Liberty HealthShare membership.

At Liberty HealthShare, we are privileged to invite members to take back control of their healthcare in an industry where costs are skyrocketing beyond foreseeable limits. It can be daunting to navigate the intricate policies and red-tape that mark our national healthcare system. Many people choose to forfeit their say in their healthcare costs by opting for a third-party insurance rather than pushing for the best possible cost and care.

Being a member of Liberty HealthShare means that you are a part of a nationwide community that supports one another through shared costs and shared commitment. A great way to meet your fellow members in person is to attend one of our regional Member Meet-ups. Our most recent member meet-up was held on the evening of May 30th at a restaurant in San Antonio.

Pre-Notification Quick Facts: Ask First | Be Informed | Control Cost

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ. Philippians 3:8 (ESV)

But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. 2 Corinthians 4:2 (ESV)

When we discuss preventative medicine and ways we can take responsibility for our health, annual wellness visits might come to mind as a means to accomplishing both. It seems to be part of the conventional wisdom most of us abide by, at least in theory. We may not make that visit every year, but we know we should. Or should we?

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? Psalm 56:3-4 (ESV)

At Liberty HealthShare, we encourage our members to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Physical fitness is an important aspect of a healthy lifestyle and we want to provide an opportunity for members to reach fitness goals as a group.

Last week, we sent an e-mail to all members, announcing a recent transition in leadership here at Liberty HealthShare. In case you missed it, here's the text of that e-mail and a special video message from Larry Foster, our new CEO.

Up until a few weeks ago, it seemed warm weather would never arrive for the northern part of the United States. Thankfully, it seems spring (and in some places, summer) temperatures have finally arrived and even better, it looks like they are here to stay! However, along with longer, warmer days, comes a need to consider sun safety and the risk of skin cancer.

...I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. 1 Corinthians 9:22-23 (ESV)

It's amazing what a warm bowl of chicken noodle soup can do for a person when they are sick. Even just saying the words "chicken noodle soup" somehow magically makes the immune system perk up. After a few weeks of traveling, inconsistent sleep, and everyday stress, I was bound to attract any germs that were floating around waiting to attack a vulnerable immune system.

But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (ESV)

Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil. Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands! Psalm 90:14-17 (ESV)

Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? Romans 2:3-4 (ESV)