How Health Care Sharing Works

Medi-Share is a health care sharing ministry, not health insurance. Instead of purchasing an insurance policy, members voluntarily share eligible medical expenses with one another according to the ministry’s published guidelines.

Each month, members contribute a monthly share. When a member has an eligible medical need, those contributions are used to help share eligible expenses. Many members also pray for one another and offer encouragement along the way.

Before eligible medical expenses are shared, each household is responsible for its Annual Household Portion (AHP). The AHP is an amount the household pays toward eligible medical expenses before sharing begins. It is similar in some ways to a health insurance deductible, but it is not the same thing. Generally, choosing a higher AHP results in a lower monthly share.

Members agree to a shared statement of Christian faith and are expected to follow the ministry’s published guidelines regarding health and conduct. Those guidelines explain which medical needs are eligible for sharing and which are not.

For families whose Christian faith shapes how they approach health care, Medi-Share may be an option worth exploring. Because health care sharing is different from health insurance, it is important to understand how the program works, including its guidelines, limitations, and responsibilities, before deciding whether it fits your family.

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