In Other's Words

When the Gardner family moved from Florida to Tennessee, they had traditional health insurance until they received notice that their insurance company was leaving the state.

Considering the needs of her family, Kimberly reviewed their healthcare options and decided to try healthsharing. She liked the transparency that Liberty HealthShare offered.

"I thought that I'd give being a member a try for a year," Kimberly said. Seven years later, she is still a member.

Because she wasn't familiar with healthsharing, she was initially worried that submitting an expense would be a “crazyexperience. However, she learned that the collaborative healthcare approach worked, and members shared her eligible medical bills.

"I would have a physical or a mammogram, and things would just get paid," said Kimberly.

“I love being a member. I tell all my friends," Kimberly said. "Each year when the Health Insurance Marketplace opens, I research my healthcare options to compare costs and determine that Liberty HealthShare will save the most on my healthcare," she noted. "With a family of four, I could pay $2,500 monthly on health insurance."  Instead, her contributions are under $1,000 a month.

She and her husband, Charles, have used their sharing program sparingly but found they needed to use it this year. Recently, Charles had two surgeries: one on his rotator cuff and the other on his thumb.

"It took 5 minutes for the thumb surgery, and the bill was $11,000. The bill was reduced to a fair price of $1,700," she said. "The difference in those amounts is insane."

Members helped ease Kimberly's medical burdens after she broke her hip, requiring 6 weeks of non-weight bearing to heal.

"I had three ambulance rides, two CAT scans, and spent multiple days in the hospital," she said. "I thought I would have to pay $200 a month on these bills for the rest of my life, but wow. They've all been paid."

The Gardners appreciate that Liberty HealthShare members take accountability for their health and help make program choices to benefit themselves and their sharing community. "Being part of a healthsharing community makes you feel more responsible to care for your health, and I appreciate that we are included. They are always expanding and adding features to our membership,” Kimberly said.

She and Charles plan to review the cost of Liberty Dental, comparing the dental sharing program to their current dental plan, and determine if switching makes financial sense.

For now, they are budgeting for their healthcare and accessing the savings members receive from Careington. Charles recently received a lower cost for a root canal. "You can find some deals with Careington."

As a holistic practitioner and someone blessed with good health, Karen Langston did not spend a lot of time exploring traditional health insurance options. At the suggestion of a colleague she investigated an alternative, the concept of healthsharing. It was a productive expenditure of time and effort which led her to join Liberty HealthShare in 2016.

“I knew absolutely nothing about healthsharing before looking into it,” said Langston. “As we explored our options, it appealed to us that we could share into helping people out with their health care costs, rather than paying into traditional insurance options.”

Throughout most of their membership with Liberty HealthShare, the Langstons did not experience health care issues which required sharing from their fellow members. That changed in August of 2024.

“My husband had to have shoulder replacement surgery,” said Langston. “It wasn’t until that time that I realized how powerful our membership with Liberty HealthShare was. Everyone we talked to was so helpful. They helped us through the process and reduced our stress level with their level of professionalism and compassionate communication. It was a breeze and helped us keep our sanity.”

The ministry’s record of repricing medical bills also impressed Langston. “I did not realize how successful the ministry could be in negotiating bills for a better rate. The repricing process has saved us a lot of money.”

Achieving savings is not the only reason the Langstons have had a positive experience as members of Liberty HealthShare.

“I will never go back to traditional health insurance again,” said Langston. “I have dealt with health insurance companies in the past and it was a nightmare. With Liberty HealthShare, it has been the exact opposite. The last four months opened my eyes to just how well we can be treated when it comes to managing medical bills. I am a fan for life.”

The chaotic, ever-changing state of healthcare in the country led John and Nancy Tillema to membership with Liberty HealthShare. It is a decision the Indiana residents have come to relish and share with friends and family who ask about their pathway to healthsharing.

"I owned an auto supply store and provided benefits for my employees,” said John Tillema.

“Things started to change in the marketplace and costs began to escalate. I started shopping around and considered the idea of healthsharing. I have been a believer all my life and asked the Lord for some guidance. Liberty HealthShare was truly an answer to prayer.”

Tillema has come to appreciate the affordability and compassionate support he and Nancy have received since becoming members.

“I’ve enjoyed being able to pick up the phone and ask a question,” said Tillema. “I don’t talk to recordings or have to leave voice mail messages. I can talk with someone who knows what I’m dealing with. They know me and can give me the direction I need. Healthcare issues are complicated, and healthsharing is so unknown. I have really benefitted from the opportunity to be helped by the staff at Liberty.”

Both John and Nancy are thankful for their positive experiences with the ministry.

“Nothing is perfect this side of heaven,” said Tillema. “We all know that. However, it’s obvious from our interactions that the people at Liberty care. I feel like I am part of something bigger than myself. People are praying for me, and I am praying for other people. There is tremendous comfort and peace in knowing that I am a connected to others in this way.”