How Liberty HealthShare Compares to Other Healthcare Sharing Ministries

About 1.5 million Americans now take part in healthcare sharing, up from fewer than 200,000 in 2010, according to MinistryWatch. As the model’s popularity has grown, so has the number of ministries to choose from. Liberty HealthShare, Medi-Share, Samaritan Ministries, and Christian Healthcare Ministries all rest on the same basic idea: members who share Christian values help one another with eligible medical expenses. Each ministry is structured differently, though, and those differences matter when you're choosing a community to join.

How Healthcare Sharing Ministries Work

A healthcare sharing ministry isn't insurance. Members voluntarily contribute a suggested monthly share amount. When a member has an eligible medical expense, it's eligible to be shared by other members, who give voluntarily according to the ministry's published Sharing Guidelines.

"It simplifies it. It's a very simple concept. There are not multiple layers involved in this," Liberty HealthShare Chief Executive Officer Dorsey Morrow said. "We're not trying to make a profit on this. Our focus is facilitating member sharing, and that's it."

Liberty HealthShare is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) ministry based in Canton, Ohio. It isn't owned by private individuals or investors, and no portion of member contributions goes to shareholders.

What to Look for When Comparing Ministries

1. Program Options for Different Life Stages

Some ministries offer one or two program levels. Others build programs around specific groups, such as young adults, growing families, or seniors on Medicare.

Liberty HealthShare offers six medical expense-sharing programs, plus optional dental and vision sharing programs:

• Liberty Rise for young adults ages 18-29
• Liberty Essential, Liberty Connect, and Liberty Unite, the ministry's three most popular programs for individuals and families
• Liberty Freedom for individuals 35 and younger
• Liberty Assist for members 65 and older enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B

Morrow says each program is designed so that members support other members’ needs.

 

2. Monthly Share Amounts and Amounts Not Eligible for Sharing

The monthly share amount is only part of the picture. It also matters how much of each expense a member pays before eligible expenses may be shareable. At Liberty HealthShare, that includes the Annual Unshared Amount (AUA) and any applicable Co-Share amounts tied to certain expenses based on the sharing program selected by the member.

Liberty HealthShare's suggested monthly share amounts range from $87 to $362 for individuals and start at $319 for families. The ministry has lowered medical costs two years running. Effective October 1, 2025, it reduced monthly share amounts on its three most popular programs by up to $26 a month and lowered Co-Share amounts on two programs. In 2026, family share amounts for Liberty Essential, Liberty Connect, and Liberty Unite dropped by an average of 16%, and the ministry returned more than $2 million to members in May. For Liberty Assist, the $500 AUA was eliminated effective August 1, 2026. For more information about our sharing programs, visit our website or contact us at 855-585-4237.

3. Freedom to Choose Your Providers

If you have doctors you trust, ask each ministry whether you can keep seeing them. Liberty HealthShare members are free to choose their own providers.

4. Independent Ratings and Financial Stewardship

Outside evaluators look at how a ministry handles its finances and governance, which is harder to judge from a website alone. Liberty HealthShare holds a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, a GuideStar Gold Seal from Candid, and Better Business Bureau accreditation with an A+ rating.

5. Enrollment Flexibility

Health insurance marketplaces generally limit sign-ups to an annual open enrollment period unless you have a qualifying life event. Liberty HealthShare accepts new members all year. Since healthcare sharing isn't insurance, joining doesn't depend on a qualifying life event.

6. Community and Faith

Membership requirements vary from ministry to ministry, so it's worth reading each one's statement of faith and any documentation it asks for.

Liberty HealthShare members agree to its Statement of Shared Beliefs, which reflects Christian values. Each Friday, the ministry's team receives a list of members' prayer requests to pray over. Through the ShareBox portal, members can also see how their monthly contributions have helped others in the community.

Liberty HealthShare at a Glance

For more information about Liberty HealthShare’s sharing programs, visit our website or call us at 855-585-4237.

How to Decide Which Ministry Is Right for You

The right fit depends on your household, your health needs, and how involved you want to be in managing medical expenses. Before joining any ministry, read its Sharing Guidelines carefully. They spell out which expenses are eligible for sharing, how pre-existing conditions are handled, and what steps members need to take before sharing may occur.

"Healthsharing is certainly a different mindset," Morrow said. "It's one where you need to be more proactive. You need to be engaged in the process."

To see how Liberty HealthShare's programs compare with one another, visit Compare Our Programs, or talk with a member of our team.