Medi-Share

Founded in 1993, Florida-based Medi-Share is a HealthShare administered by Christian Care Ministry. Medi-Share is one of the largest HealthShares in the United States, with over 350,000 members, and has shared and discounted over $8 billion of members’ medical expenses over the last thirty years. The organization is Christian-focused, in which members must attest to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and commit to their Statement of Faith to qualify for membership.

Health partners and health incentive

Prospective members who fall outside of Medi-Share’s health requirements are automatically enrolled in the “Health Partnership Program.” The purpose of this program is to minimize preventable health care costs so Medi-Share can provide affordable solutions to all of its members. Health Partners have access to an online health portal for content and resources, a personal health coach, and a registered dietitian nutritionist, but are required to pay an additional monthly fee of $99 for these services as well as their monthly share. Once the member meets the health requirements, they graduate from the program, and the fee is automatically removed. If members continue to improve their health conditions, they can apply for the health incentive discount.

Conversely, members who meet annual health standards may apply for a health incentive. For those whose applications are accepted, these health incentives save on the member’s monthly share amount.

Older members

Rather than aging out at 65, Medi-Share members can opt to join Medi-Share 65+, allowing them to pair their Medicare Parts A and B benefits with a discounted membership, both in terms of the Annual Household Portion (AHP) and the monthly share amount.

Member voting

Medi-Share members may vote on proposed changes to their guidelines. Annually or bi-annually, changes are submitted to the community and put to a member vote. If 67% of members approve of a proposed change to the guidelines, then that change will be implemented.

There is also a Medi-Share Steering Committee, made up of Medi-Share members, outside the direct control of CCM, which may make minor modifications to the guidelines for the community’s advantage, according to their guidelines.

Noteworthy

Here is some of the top information we believe potential members might want to know about this HealthShare.

Key considerations

• Members must open a new account with a CCM-designated financial institution to facilitate sharing
• Strict religious membership requirements

Membership requirements

• Members must profess to Medi-Share’s Statement of Faith
• Prospective members need to have abstained from the use of tobacco or illegal drugs for at least the 12 months prior to joining
• Prospective members and dependents provide medical and lifestyle information during application process via online questionnaire

Pros

• Members vote on additions and/or changes to guidelines
• Adoption expenses are shareable
• Membership options for seniors (65+)
• Expenses related to funeral costs are shareable up to $5,000
• Annual physicals with limited labs are shareable
• No yearly or lifetime maximum
• Access to Healthcare Bluebook provides transparency through pricing and provider quality rankings
• Maternity expenses shareable up to $125,000 per pregnancy
• Prescription, dental, and vision discounts

Cons

• Possible additional costs and required forms for out-of-network providers
• Dependents only qualify until age 23 (typical is 26)
• Three-year lookback period for pre-existing conditions
• Prescriptions for pre-existing conditions not shareable, with exceptions to blood pressure and cholesterol controlling medications

Ideal candidates

• Are devout Christians
• Those who are interested in combining HealthShare membership with Medicare

Find out more about Medi-Share in this video

Page Updated 05/22/2024