How Do Healthcare Sharing Programs Work?

Faith-Based Alternatives to Traditional Health Insurance

Summary: Healthcare sharing programs are faith-based communities where members voluntarily share medical expenses. Each month, members contribute a set “share amount,” which helps pay for eligible medical needs of others in the community. Unlike insurance, these programs are non-profit, transparent, and rooted in biblical principles of stewardship and mutual support.

A Different Way to Manage Healthcare Costs

Healthcare costs in the United States continue to rise, leaving many families searching for alternatives to traditional health insurance—options that align with their faith, offer financial flexibility, and foster community.

One increasingly popular solution is healthcare sharing, also called medical cost sharing. These programs are not insurance but rather faith-based, community-driven approaches to managing medical expenses.

In this article, we’ll explore how healthcare sharing programs work, what makes them different from health insurance, their history and values, and the advantages they can provide for individuals and families. Whether you’re looking for affordability, freedom to choose your provider, or a faith-centered community, understanding how healthcare sharing works can help you make a confident, informed decision.

What Is a Healthcare Sharing Program?

A healthcare sharing program is a membership-based community where individuals and families contribute money each month. These voluntary contributions, called monthly shares, are provided to other members to help them pay for eligible medical expenses.

Unlike health insurance, healthcare sharing programs are usually operated by non-profit religious organizations. They are not insurance plans and therefore are not regulated by state insurance laws. Instead, they function through a voluntary sharing community of mutual aid among members who share common beliefs and values.

Key Distinctions from Health Insurance

• Non-profit structure
  Contributions are not made for the benefit of private interests, such as shareholders, but to meet the medical needs of fellow members.

• Voluntary sharing
  Members voluntarily help one another with medical expenses.

• Faith-driven mission
  Most programs, including Liberty HealthShare®, are rooted in Christian principles of community, stewardship, and mutual support.

• Not insurance
  There are no legal contracts guaranteeing payment; instead, members rely on trust and accountability within the sharing community.

A Brief History of Healthcare Sharing

The concept of believers helping one another with medical needs is not new. For generations, religious communities such as the Amish and Mennonites have practiced mutual aid. Families and neighbors came together to share resources during times of illness, financial hardship, or other crises.

Modern healthcare sharing ministries grew out of this tradition. In the 20th century, small Amish and Mennonite churches organized structured programs for members to share each other’s medical bills. From these beginnings, healthcare sharing has expanded into nationwide ministries, such as Liberty HealthShare, serving tens of thousands of individuals and families across the United States.

How Do Healthcare Sharing Programs Work?

The process is simple yet powerful.

1. Monthly Shares
   Each member voluntarily contributes a monthly amount, determined by their program choice, family size, and budget.
2. Medical Need
   When a member has an eligible medical expense, they (or their provider) send the bill to the ministry for processing and facilitation of sharing.
3. Sharing Process
   The ministry evaluates the expense against its guidelines. If eligible, the cost is shared among members using funds from their monthly contributions.
4. Payment to Providers
   Sharing funds are directed to help pay the member’s medical bills, often at negotiated or fair market prices.
5. Community Support
   In addition to financial sharing, members receive prayer, encouragement, and spiritual support from the community.

This model works because of trust, accountability, and shared faith. Members know that their monthly contributions directly support others in need, and in turn, they can receive the same support from the community when they face medical challenges.

Key Features of Healthcare Sharing Programs

Healthcare sharing programs have unique characteristics that distinguish them from health insurance.

• No Risk Pooling or Contracts
  Unlike insurance companies, ministries do not operate on contracts or legal guarantees. Sharing is voluntary and based on goodwill.

• Faith-Based Guidelines
  Members typically agree to live according to biblical principles. This can include avoiding tobacco, excessive alcohol, or lifestyle choices that contribute to preventable illness.

• Transparency
  Many programs, including Liberty HealthShare, provide online tools so members can see where their contributions are going and who they are helping.

• Provider Freedom
  Members can choose the doctors and hospitals they prefer, rather than being restricted to narrow insurance networks.

• Variety of Programs
  Liberty HealthShare offers options for individuals, families, and seniors. Members can select programs that best fit their needs and budgets.

Healthcare Sharing vs. Health Insurance

It’s important to understand how healthcare sharing differs from, and is not, insurance.

Comparison chart of healthcare sharing vs. insurance differences.

For many, these differences are game changers. Members appreciate the transparency, community connection, and ability to choose their providers without restrictions.

Who Should Consider a Healthcare Sharing Program?

Healthcare sharing is not the right fit for everyone, but it can be an excellent choice for those who:

• Are in good health
  Members who take care of their bodies and follow healthy lifestyles align well with sharing programs.

• Seek affordability
  Many find healthcare sharing more affordable than insurance.

• Value a faith-based community
  If you want your healthcare dollars to support a community of like-minded believers, healthcare sharing is a natural fit.

• Want flexibility
  Freedom to choose your own doctors and hospitals is a major advantage.

• Need another option
  If health insurance is unaffordable or inaccessible, healthcare sharing may provide what you’re looking for.

These programs are especially appealing to self-employed individuals, small business owners, and families looking for cost-effective alternatives for their healthcare.

Those considering healthcare sharing should thoroughly review program Guidelines, understand limitations, and ensure their healthcare needs and religious beliefs align with program requirements. It is wise to compare options, factoring in cost, provider flexibility, community aspects, and transparency around shared expenses.

Advantages of Healthcare Sharing Programs

Healthcare sharing programs offer unique advantages.

1. Save Money
   Monthly shares are often much lower than insurance premiums. Plus, ministries work to keep healthcare costs fair and reasonable, which can save members even more.

2. Choose Your Providers
   You’re not locked in a narrow network. Members can choose the doctors, specialists, and hospitals that work best for them.

3. Avoid Insurance Company Profits
   Your money isn’t funding large insurance companies. Instead, it directly supports the needs of fellow community members.

4. Belong to a Christian Community
   You’ll join a network of people who share your values, pray for you, and walk alongside you during health challenges.

5. Transparency and Trust
   Programs such as Liberty HealthShare offer online portals where you can track your contributions and see how they are helping others.

For many, the unique blend of spiritual connectivity and practical support is a compelling reason to choose a Christian healthsharing ministry such as Liberty HealthShare instead of health insurance.

Common Questions

1. Is healthcare sharing insurance?
   No. Healthcare sharing is not insurance and does not involve contracts or guarantees. It is a voluntary sharing of medical costs within a faith-based community.
2. What about pre-existing conditions?
   Each program has its own Guidelines. Some may limit sharing for pre-existing conditions for a period of time, while others may exclude them altogether.
3. Are there limits to what expenses can be shared?
   Yes. Programs outline eligible and ineligible expenses. Typically, medical needs resulting from healthy, responsible lifestyles are eligible. This is spelled out in the program’s Guidelines.
4. Do I still need to follow the Affordable Care Act (ACA)?
   Healthcare sharing ministries recognized by the federal government, such as Liberty HealthShare, provide an exemption from the ACA’s individual mandate (though the penalty no longer applies federally).
5. Can I join if I’m not Christian?
   Most programs, including Liberty HealthShare, require members to affirm a Christian statement of faith and commit to living according to biblical principles.

Why Choose Liberty HealthShare?

Liberty HealthShare is one of the nation’s leading healthcare sharing ministries. Since its founding in 1995, the ministry has helped hundreds of thousands of members share medical costs while staying true to their faith.

Here’s what sets Liberty HealthShare apart:

• Affordable Options
  A variety of sharing programs for individuals, families, and seniors.

• Provider Freedom
  You choose your doctors and hospitals.

• Online Tools
  Track your contributions, see how funds are shared, and manage your membership.

• Transparency and Track Record
  Liberty HealthShare ranks among the country’s best non-profit organizations for transparency and accountability. It is the only healthsharing organization in the United States to hold both Candid’s 2025 GuideStar Gold Seal and Charity Navigator’s 4-Star rating. Additionally, it is accredited by the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating.

• Faith and Community
  Share in prayer, encouragement, and Christian fellowship while providing support for each other’s medical needs.

• Legacy of Sharing
  Rooted in the tradition of Amish and Mennonite communities, Liberty HealthShare members continue the biblical call to bear one another’s burdens.

Our members support one another, let them tell you their stories.

The Future of Healthcare Sharing

As healthcare costs rise, more families are exploring options that aren’t insurance. Healthcare sharing programs provide a model based on community, faith, and responsibility. They empower members to take control of their healthcare decisions while participating in something larger than themselves.

At Liberty HealthShare, we believe the future of healthcare lies in reclaiming the biblical principles of mutual aid and stewardship. By standing together, we can not only support each other’s medical needs but also build stronger communities of faith and caring.

A Faith-Based Path to Affordable Healthcare

Healthcare sharing programs offer a unique, faith-driven, community-oriented alternative to health insurance. They work through the voluntary sharing of medical costs, rooted in biblical principles and community trust.

Members voluntarily contribute monthly shares, and when needs arise, the community comes together to share each other’s medical bills. Unlike insurance, these programs are non-profit, transparent, and focused on mutual aid rather than profit.

If you’re seeking affordability, provider freedom, and a way to align your healthcare with your faith, Liberty HealthShare may be the right choice for you.

By joining, you’ll not only have the opportunity to save money and gain control over your healthcare—you’ll also become part of a Christian community that supports you spiritually, emotionally, and financially.

Schedule a call today to learn more about how Liberty HealthShare can help you take charge of your healthcare while living out your values.