Members helping members.

The Medical Bill Assistance Program (MBAP) is a discretionary assistance program established by Liberty HealthShare to provide compassionate support to members experiencing significant financial hardship.

We believe that our members are a force for good in the world, and can be everyday heroes in the lives of their fellow members. We are proud to have a sharing community that truly believes in the biblical mandate found in Galatians 6:2 to bear one another’s burdens.

A program of compassion.

The Medical Bill Assistance Program (MBAP) provides discretionary sharing assistance for qualifying necessary medical expenses that exceed standard sharing limitations or otherwise meet the intent of this program.

The MBAP is a supplemental program and does not alter or expand the Sharing Guidelines. All additional sharing contributions are discretionary, subject to available SharePower, and may be granted, denied, or modified at the sole judgment of the Review Committee which is comprised of two members of the Liberty HealthShare Executive Leadership team and three current members in good standing with the ministry.

Liberty HealthShare Executive Leadership takes seriously the charge to judiciously and responsibly facilitate the appropriate usage of SharePower. All decisions related to the Medical Bill Assistance Program will be evaluated with rigorous and prudent standards.

Liberty HealthShare Executive Leadership may receive periodic reports summarizing the number of MBAP applications and the number of approvals/denials. They may also receive a report showing the amount of total SharePower distributed under the MBAP.

Liberty HealthShare Executive Leadership shall review the MBAP annually to evaluate program utilization, SharePower availability, and recommended policy revisions.

Liberty HealthShare reserves the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue the MBAP at any time. Changes will be documented and communicated to appropriate staff.

The MBAP provides discretionary additional sharing assistance for medically necessary healthcare expenses when:

Eligible medical expenses exceed the member's annual or incident sharing limits;
The requested expense falls outside normal sharing limits but aligns with the ministry's mission and charitable purpose; or
Exceptional financial hardship exists despite the member complying with Liberty HealthShare Sharing Guidelines.

Participation is not guaranteed and does not modify or expand the Sharing Guidelines.

Applicants to the MBAP must:

Be an active member in good standing for at least twelve (12) consecutive months immediately preceding the application.
Submit the request within 180 days of the medical expense.
Demonstrate significant financial hardship.
Have complied with Liberty HealthShare Sharing Guidelines.
Apply for all available third-party financial assistance, including provider financial assistance programs.
Preferably have received services from providers who accept sharing from Liberty HealthShare members.

MBAP services requests must:

Be FDA-approved when applicable.
Be recognized as medically necessary under accepted standards of medical practice.
Be supported by medical documentation from the treating licensed provider.
Demonstrate true financial hardship rather than simply a high-cost medical expense.

Eligible MBAP requests include but are not limited to:

Medical expenses exceeding annual or incident sharing limits

Durable Medical Equipment that improves independence or daily living

Wheelchairs

Hospital bed rental

Bath chairs

Orthotics

Requests involving the following are not eligible:

Abortion

Sex-change procedures

Cosmetic procedures

Drug or alcohol rehabilitation

Medical conditions resulting from substance abuse

Prescription drugs

Naturopathic treatments

Elective procedures

Services excluded by the Sharing Guidelines

Assistance with AUA or Co-Share obligations

Monthly dental or vision participation fees

Bills incurred after seeking care contrary to Liberty HealthShare Care Navigation recommendations

Bills resulting from repeat use of providers previously identified as charging excessive amounts

Financial hardship resulting directly from a member's own actions

Medical Bill Assistance Program funding is through available SharePower. All awards are subject to available SharePower. Only one application may be submitted annually, and members may only receive one Medical Bill Assistance Program distribution during their lifetime of membership unless Executive Leadership authorizes an exception.

Member submits application and supporting documentation.

Staff verify eligibility.

Qualified applications are forwarded to the MBAP Review Committee.

The Committee reviews and votes.

The member receives written notification of the decision.

All MBAP requests are reviewed exclusively by the MBAP review committee, composed of a total of five voting members: Liberty HealthShare Vice President of Medical Services, one additional Liberty HealthShare Executive Team member, and three active Liberty HealthShare members with at least five (5) years of membership and demonstrated stewardship of the Liberty HealthShare community’s SharePower.

The committee will review qualified applications, evaluate medical necessity of applications, evaluate financial hardship as presented, consider available SharePower, and vote on approval or denial, requiring a quorum of three members, including one Liberty HealthShare Executive Team member, thereby approving requests by simply majority with concurrence from one Executive Team member. The committee may meet monthly as needed, but semi-annually.

Medical Bill Assistance applications are reviewed exclusively by the MBAP Review Committee.

Committee Composition

Five voting members:

Vice President of Medical Services
One additional Executive Team member
Three active Liberty HealthShare members with at least five (5) years of membership and demonstrated stewardship