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). Members deposit their monthly share into these accounts each month. 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!
Medi-Share doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions
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. For example, you cannot join Medi-Share if you’re pregnant or have high blood pressure or cholesterol. To be eligible for coverage, you’ll need to have been a member for 36 consecutive months.
Medi-Share doesn’t cover primary care, unlike insurance. Exempt are well-child visits up to 6 years of age and an annual physical for each family member. You’ll also need to pay out of pocket for most preventive services, such as flu shots, if you have them. You’re also expected to use a PPO network of physicians, but you’ll still need to pay out of pocket. Fortunately, Medi-Share does offer telehealth services to its members.
Unlike most traditional health insurance, Medi-Share doesn’t deny coverage for pre-existing conditions. While it doesn’t exclude pre-existing conditions from coverage, it limits how much you can share based on the date of your membership. You can share up to $100,000 per person per year for pre-existing conditions if you’ve had no symptoms for at least three years. Congenital conditions, such as cancer, are exempt from sharing. However, you must wait at least 36 or 60 months before getting covered under Medi-Share.
Fortunately, there are many options for you to get covered with Medi-Share. It is a great way to get health care coverage without the high cost of health insurance. Medi-Share is an excellent option for people with pre-existing medical conditions and has a generous yearly cap on benefits. Before signing up, make sure you read all the details. If you can’t afford insurance, Medi-Share may not be the right option for you.
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. Fortunately, Medi-Share will cover pregnancy and adoption if you follow 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
Certain preventive services are not covered by traditional health insurance. Medi-Share does not charge a fee for preventive services, even though they are a very common service. 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. The difference between these plans is most pronounced when comparing preventive care costs.
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 members are encouraged to visit doctors within its PPO network which has more than 900,000. Preventive care does not count towards your deductible, so plan accordingly. 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. Medi-Share does not cover routine health screenings or vision and dental care. 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. Medi-Share is unable to accept people over 65. Medi-Share covers Medicare Parts A or B. Legal non-citizens and adults with dependent children can both be members.
Medi-Share also contains a section on 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. Medi-Share covers adoption and pregnancy. Pregnancy and adoption are covered as long as members make monthly contributions. Medi-Share covers costs if the member is a Christian and lives within the guidelines set by the church.
Pregnancy expenses aren’t eligible for sharing
You’re not the only one wondering if Medishare is available for pregnancy expenses. The guidelines for the program changed in 2013 and the ministry no longer disallows pre-existing conditions as a barrier to membership. Medishare can be used to pay for prenatal care, delivery, and other costs.
When considering a health care sharing program, you’ll need to choose the one that fits your lifestyle. Medi-Share requires members to follow biblical principles. That means no abortions or drunk driving accidents. Other restrictions include abstinence from tobacco and illegal drugs. However, pregnancy and adoption expenses are covered. As long as you make your monthly contributions, you can qualify for Medi-Share. 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. If you are unable to find a doctor in your area, you may use telemedicine. If you’re married, pregnancy expenses are eligible for Medishare sharing. If you intend to make use of providers outside your network, however, you might need to contribute a copayment.
The guidelines for CHM coverage cover most of the expenses related to pregnancy, though not the entire maternity episode. They include routine office visits and lab tests as well prescriptions and immunizations. You must have been married for 60 or more months if you are pregnant. 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. A formal approach was taken with the introduction of MediShare in 1993. The program has paid out over 4 billion in medical bills to its members since it was launched. MediShare is available to believers aged 65 and under. It covers funeral, adoption, as well as medical expenses. The MediShare plan is not an insurance policy, but a charity organization. The plan aims at providing Christian families with the resources they need for health and care.
To apply, a person must meet certain requirements and must have an AHP of three thousand dollars or more. MediShare also covers routine well-child and mental health counseling. The counseling calls are limited to 30 minutes, and MediShare members can receive one annual physical. These will include basic tests such as hemoglobin A1C or a Lipid panel. If you qualify, your monthly MediShare contribution will be reduced accordingly.
MediShare members do not have to be covered by the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate clause. They are also exempted from being penalized for having no insurance. In addition, members can’t be denied MediShare coverage due to a medical condition, and the plan never imposes lifetime or annual limits. MediShare also pays for adoption and funeral expenses that are sometimes prohibitively expensive. For Christian families, MediShare is a beautiful example of sharing and supporting one another. Members can also use MediShare to bless others.
MediShare members may also contribute to eligible adoption and funeral expenses. The organization negotiates with providers to get the best prices. MediShare covers the costs and pays the bills for members who’ve 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.