MediShare – Is MediShare Right For You?
Medishare is a health insurance plan that members create individual sharing accounts with ACCU (the financial partner of Medishare). Each month, members deposit their share amount into these accounts. Other fees include a $2 one-time membership fee, a $2 monthly administrative fee, and a $1 paper statement charge. If you’re not sure whether Medishare is right for you, read on for some important information. It will be a great decision that you made!
Pre-existing conditions aren’t covered by Medi-Share
You may worry about being denied coverage if you have a pre-existing health condition. The fact is, Medi-Share doesn’t deny coverage to pre-existing conditions, but it does have certain rules and a “phase-in” period before full coverage begins. Medi-Share cannot be joined by women who are pregnant, have high cholesterol or blood pressure. To be eligible for coverage, you’ll need to have been a member for 36 consecutive months.
Unlike insurance, Medi-Share does not cover primary care services. Well-child visits for up to six years old and one annual physical for each member are exempt. If you are eligible for preventive services such as flu shots or other medical care, you will need to cover the cost out-of-pocket. You’re also expected to use a PPO network of physicians, but you’ll still need to pay out of pocket. Medi-Share offers telehealth services for its members.
Unlike most traditional health insurance, Medi-Share doesn’t deny coverage for pre-existing conditions. Although it does not exclude pre-existing medical conditions, Medi-Share limits the amount you can share depending on when your membership was established. If you have not had symptoms for three years, your annual pre-existing condition share can be up to $100,000. Sharing is not allowed for congenital diseases such as cancer. Medi-Share coverage is only available to those who wait 36-60 months.
Medi-Share offers many coverage options. This is an excellent way to obtain health coverage without having to pay high-cost health insurance. The benefits are generous and Medi-Share can be used by people who have pre-existing conditions. Just make sure to read the fine print before signing up. Medi-Share might not work for you if you cannot afford to have insurance.
Because Medi-Share is a faith-based health insurance program, it’s also a good option for Christians. The program will not cover abortion, drunk driving accidents, tobacco use, or other unbiblical lifestyle choices. Medi-Share covers adoption and pregnancy if you comply with their guidelines. This program can help you protect your finances and provide peace of mind in the event that you need health care.
Medi-Share covers preventive care
Traditional health insurance plans must cover certain preventive care services at no cost. While preventive care is a common need, Medi-Share charges a $35 provider fee for preventative care appointments. Medi-Share does not cover lab work or immunizations. Medi-Share has several plans. These are the main differences in the plans, and the ways they provide preventative care. Compare preventative care costs to see the biggest difference.
Medi-Share doesn’t cover primary care. The only exceptions are well-child visits for children under six years old and an annual physical. Medi-Share encourages its members to use doctors in its PPO network, which includes more than 900,000 providers nationwide. Your deductible does not include preventive care, so make sure you plan ahead. Preventive care is a great way to avoid unanticipated costs.
Medi-Share doesn’t cover services for behavioral health, including counseling and treatment of learning disabilities. Routine health screenings, dental and vision care are not covered by Medi-Share. Medi-Share might pay for certain tests based upon symptoms. You should consult your plan’s guidelines for additional information. There is no co-pay for preventive care services, so expect to pay less than you would with traditional health insurance.
While Medi-Share may not be the right financial option for everyone, it is an alternative for those who do not have employer-sponsored insurance or aren’t covered by the ACA. Medi-Share offers a health coaching program for members, which costs extra, and helps them make lifestyle changes that will improve their health. Unfortunately, Medi-Share does not accept members who are older than 65 years of age. Medi-Share covers Medicare Parts A or B. Members can be legal non-citizens or adults with dependent children.
The Medi-Share program also includes a clause about biblical living. Participating members must believe in God and live a Christian life. The clause states that members will not abuse alcohol or drugs. The member must not smoke or use illegal drugs. Luckily, Medi-Share does cover pregnancy and adoption. Pregnancy and adoption are covered as long as members make monthly contributions. If the member lives in a Christian home and follows the guidelines of the church, their costs are covered by Medi-Share.
Sharing is not available for pregnant expenses
You’re not the only one wondering if Medishare is available for pregnancy expenses. Pre-existing medical conditions are no longer a bar to membership. The program’s guidelines were updated in 2013. While the ministry no longer disallows a woman from sharing pregnancy expenses, you can use Medishare for your prenatal care and delivery costs, which can add up to thousands of dollars.
You should choose the health care sharing plan that best suits your needs. Medi-Share members must adhere to biblical principles. This means that there are no abortions or drunk driving accidents. Other restrictions include abstinence from tobacco and illegal drugs. Pregnancy and adoption costs are not covered. Medi-Share is available to you as long as your monthly contribution are made. Important to note that your eligibility for maternity benefits will be determined after 36 months of membership.
You will be charged an extra fee for doctor visits if you are pregnant or covered by Medi-Share. You’ll also have to pay an additional $35 provider fee if you need to be seen in an emergency room. However, if you can’t find a local doctor, you can use a telemedicine service. Medishare sharing is available for married couples who have pregnant expenses. However, you may need to pay a copayment if you plan to use out-of-network providers.
The guidelines for CHM coverage cover most of the expenses related to pregnancy, though not the entire maternity episode. These include routine office visits, lab tests, prescriptions, immunizations, and up to three medically necessary ultrasounds. If you’re pregnant, you must be married at the time of conception and have been sharing faithfully for at least 60 months. If you switch to Gold and fall outside of these guidelines, the entire maternity episode will be ineligible for Medishare sharing.
Adoptions and funerals are eligible for Medi-Share
Christians have shared healthcare burdens for thousands of years. MediShare was introduced in 1993. This formalized the approach. Since its inception, the program has helped over 400,000 members share four billion dollars in medical bills. The MediShare plan for believers under 65 covers medical expenses as well as funeral and adoption expenses. This plan is not insurance, but rather a charitable organization. It aims to provide Christian families and individuals with health care resources for their personal and family needs.
To apply, a person must meet certain requirements and must have an AHP of three thousand dollars or more. MediShare will also cover routine well-child care, as well as mental health counseling. MediShare members are eligible for one annual physical. The counselling calls last no more than 30 minutes. This will cover basic tests like hemoglobin A1C and a Lipid panel. If you qualify, your monthly MediShare contribution will be reduced accordingly.
Moreover, MediShare members are exempt from the individual mandate clause of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and will not be penalized for not carrying insurance. In addition, members can’t be denied MediShare coverage due to a medical condition, and the plan never imposes lifetime or annual limits. The organization also covers funeral and adoption expenses, which are often unaffordable. For Christian families, MediShare is a beautiful example of sharing and supporting one another. Members can also use MediShare to bless others.
In addition to these two expenses, MediShare members can contribute to qualified adoption or funeral expenses. The organization negotiates with providers to get the best prices. MediShare pays all bills and covers costs for those members who have met their AHP. The $35 fee covers the cost of providing medical care and members are expected to refrain from any sinful behavior. MediShare reimburses members’ costs when their household meets the AHP requirement.