Liberty HealthShare Official Blog

At Liberty HealthShare, we are taking the essential steps to help us avoid any potential disruptions or inconveniences the coronavirus may cause in servicing our members.

Within the Liberty HealthShare community, we prioritize health and financial stewardship as far as they depend on us as members, but we also understand that life can hold accidents, diagnoses, or health outcomes we didn't see coming. Trusting God with the fact that life is unpredictable while doing everything we can to remain healthy is just part of the journey. Bearing burdens for our fellow members when they are faced with an unexpected diagnosis or injury is why Liberty exists.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose. Galatians 2:20-21 (ESV) Much of scripture is worded bluntly, and it can sometimes be hard to swallow.

The winter blues are no joke. The sky is grey, the trees are bare and the constant thoughts about spring weather consume our days. Subzero temperatures, icy roads, and dreary weather are sure to bring even the happiest person down in the dumps. So what can you do when you're stuck inside and feeling blue? Throw on an apron and get yourself in the kitchen!

Depending on where you live, the weather may be showing little signs that spring isn't too far off. That's a hopeful signal, especially for those living in the areas that have been hardest hit by severe winter storms. Unfortunately, no matter what the weather does, we're still in the middle of what's commonly known as "flu season."

Last August, one of our members, Clifford Stoller, MD, wrote a guest post entitled The Truth About Back Surgery. In it, Dr. Stoller suggested that only a minority of back disorders actually require surgery. Taking on what has for a long time been conventional wisdom regarding the management and treatment of chronic back pain, he suggested a conservative approach as opposed to radical surgical intervention. A few months later, Jon. S., a member from Indiana, reached out to us because his experience with back pain so closely mirrored the statements Dr. Stoller made in his article.

Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:27-29 (ESV) Somehow, even after Jesus had performed miracle after miracle and fulfilled every single Old Testament prophecy concerning himself, his disciples still struggled with disbelief.

February 21st - 24th, Liberty HealthShare will sponsor and attend the American Conservative Union's Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington, D.C. This annual event draws thousands of attendees from all over the nation and we are excited to have a chance to interact with them.

When members join Liberty HealthShare, we understand they must undergo a "paradigm shift" in their engagement with the healthcare system, especially if they have previously used a third-party payer. That's why many of our blog posts are educational in nature - we know it takes some repetition and explanation in order for our members to understand and embrace the healthcare sharing mentality. We often get emails from members who simply want to say "thank you" to our staff and membership community for the part we have played in their health journey. It's always encouraging to us when we hear from happy members, but it's particularly rewarding when a member has obviously taken the time to understand and live out the stewardship values we hold dear.

Last Friday, January 19th, members of the Liberty HealthShare communications staff participated in the 45th annual March for Life, held in Washington, D.C. Starting at 1 p.m., we walked up Constitution Avenue with hundreds of thousands of other pro-life individuals to demonstrate our love and support for both pre-born babies and their mothers. The March culminated on the steps of the Supreme Court, the same building where abortion on demand was legalized in 1973. Ever since then, the March for Life has been held on or around the anniversary of Roe v. Wade to demonstrate that for those who believe life begins at conception, this issue is far from settled.

But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me. Psalm 13:5-6 (ESV) The Psalms are full of laments, many of which begin with the phrase, "How long, O Lord?" These verses from Psalm 13 immediately follow one such passage, but there is a noticeable shift in tone, beginning with the word "but."

Below is part 1 of a new blog series written by Sam, Liberty HealthShare's Social Media Specialist, as she tackles her new year's resolution to make meals from scratch. Follow her journey as she steps outside the microwavable, frozen meal box, and creates some healthy habits along the way.

January 19th is the 45th annual March for Life, held in Washington, D.C. The March is held every year on or around the anniversary of the Supreme Court's 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion on demand. What started in 1974 as a small, peaceful demonstration meant to mark this somber anniversary has grown to become the largest pro-life event in the world. On Friday, thousands of pro-lifers from all over the United States will gather on the National Mall for a concert and rally.

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 (ESV) Throughout history, humans have struggled to have a rightly ordered relationship with God. If we are prone to an extreme, it is usually to over-complicate worship and the Christian life.

Hello there! My name is Sam and I am a new member of the Liberty HealthShare community. I was also recently hired at Liberty as Social Media Specialist. I will now insert an obvious social media plug: if you have not followed us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Pinterest, please do so now!

As part of a new occasional book review series here on the blog, we recently published a review of Dr. Bob Cutillo's book, Pursuing Health in an Anxious Age. Dr. Cutillo was kind enough to speak with us about how his experiences as a Christian and a medical provider led him to write this book.

...we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:3-5 (NKJV) The new year brings an opportunity to reframe, set goals and resolutions, and write on a clean slate of sorts...in theory. The reality is, despite the symbolism of a new year, challenges are no respecter of calendars.

As part of a new occasional book review series here on the blog, today we are reviewing Pursuing Health in an Anxious Age (Crossway), by Bob Cutillo, M.D. We live in an age of unprecedented medical advancement, with broad access to interventions ranging from the preventative to the elective. We have much to be thankful for as prognoses improve and lifespans continue to increase. Certain preventions can bring peace of mind to those who otherwise face a genetic predisposition to disease. Pain can be managed and even, in some cases, eliminated. However, a Biblical perspective on the topics of health, pain, disease, and death is in some ways set against that of our culture.

These days, between computers and smartphones, most people spend at least a few hours online each day. Many also make purchasing decisions based on the multiple online sources of reviews, from business ratings on Yelp to subscription services like Angie’s List, and all the other review platforms that are available to us, including those on Google.

"For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind..." Isaiah 65:17 (ESV) This past week, we celebrated the birth of Emmanuel, God with us. We observed traditions and spent time remembering Christmases past. Now, as the New Year approaches, we look forward to the year ahead. It isn't always easy to view the days, weeks, and months ahead with eyes of anticipation and hope, especially if the days that came before were heavy and hard.

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn... Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” Luke 2:7, 34-35 (ESV) Nothing about Jesus' birth was ordinary, nor did His arrival occur in the way many expected it to.

Some Liberty HealthShare members interact with our staff on a regular basis, but some members have never submitted a bill or had any specific need that necessitates a phone conversation. If you're in the latter group, you may understandably feel a bit disconnected from us. You might even wonder whether we function like other larger organizations, where you are routed through automated attendants and multiple menus before you can even reach another human being.

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord...." Luke 2:8-11 (ESV) When the angel appeared to the shepherds that night 2,000 years ago, those men were, understandably, alarmed. At best, it must have been startling for angelic light to split the darkness of the sky, and at worst, any number of preconceived notions about the supernatural could have fueled their fears.

A string of hurricanes and wildfires devastated large areas across the nation this summer. Wildfires in California continue to leave destruction in their wake. Thousands of Liberty HealthShare member families live within the declared disaster areas, with many facing a daunting recovery process as they consider how best to move forward. As members of a Christian community, we are compelled to step up.

It’s hard to believe Christmas is only two weeks away. It seems like every year, the holiday sneaks up on us, and if we’re not careful, parties, shopping, and church commitments (to name a few) can conspire to steal our joy.

This time of year, we tend to see a significant increase in the number of member bills submitted for sharing. Though we cannot be sure of the reason for this, it is possible this is due at least in part to the third-party payer model and deadlines by which many of our members have previously functioned. Whatever the reason, we want to remind our members of a few important factors to consider before they submit more bills at this time of year.

Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord." Luke 1:41-45 (ESV) When the angel visited Mary to announce she would be the mother of the Messiah, he also shared the news that her cousin Elizabeth - thought to be barren - was six months pregnant, punctuating it with the pronouncement, "For nothing will be impossible with God."

When we’re just kids, running and playing with our friends is second nature. When we're free to choose how and when we will play, we have almost limitless energy, but as we get older, something shifts. Usually, no thanks to gym class, we no longer run because it’s fun, but rather because the teacher standing on the track is using his stopwatch to rate our performance.