For many, the rising cost and complexity of traditional healthcare make the medical landscape feel confusing and overwhelming. Christian healthsharing plans, like those offered through WeShare by UHSM, offer a simpler, community-based alternative. If you’ve heard about health sharing but still have questions, you’re not alone. We’ve gathered and answered ten of the most common questions people ask when exploring this faith-centered approach. Let’s dive in.
1. What are Christian healthsharing plans?
Christian healthsharing plans are programs offered by nonprofit health sharing ministries. These programs allow members to contribute monthly and support each other’s eligible medical needs. Unlike insurance, they’re built on voluntary sharing and biblical values of caring for one another.
For example, when a young family in the community faces an unexpected hospital stay, they know they’re not alone. Their expenses are shared, and their brothers and sisters in Christ stand with them in prayer.
2. How do Christian healthcare plans work?
WeShare operates through the commitment of its members to share each other’s medical expenses. Each month, members contribute a fixed amount, which is used when medical care is required. WeShare then partners with providers to handle bill submission, processing, and payment. Once reviewed, an Explanation of Share is issued to outline eligible costs under each Member’s program and note any remaining balances. This simple, step-by-step process removes uncertainty and doubt, allowing members to focus on their health and faith.
3. What does it mean to “share a medical bill”?
It’s a practical way of describing how members come together to meet one another’s needs. Instead of one person bearing the full cost of an unexpected expense, the bill is “shared” across the community. This collective approach makes large expenses more manageable. For example, if a member has surgery, their bill can be shared by the community, easing the financial burden for everyone. This model turns healthcare from an individual struggle into a collective act of support guided by faith and compassion.
4. How are Christian healthcare plans different from insurance?
Christian healthcare plans are not insurance. Insurance companies are bound by contracts and legal requirements to pay claims. Health sharing ministries operate on voluntary participation and mutual commitment. Members are always responsible for their own expenses, but the community chooses to help.
Many families appreciate this crucial difference. Instead of dealing with complex policies, they’re part of a community built on trust, transparency, and shared faith.
5. What kinds of medical needs are usually eligible for sharing?
Most healthsharing plans include preventive care, doctor visits, hospital stays, maternity, and prescriptions. Some needs, such as treatment for pre-existing conditions, may be subject to waiting periods or sharing limits depending on the ministry you choose. This helps keep the community sustainable while still offering support for everyday health needs.
6. What is an Annual Member Care Share (AMCS) or similar term?
Most ministries ask members to take responsibility for a set amount of their own medical costs before the community begins sharing. This is sometimes called an Annual Member Care Share (AMCS) or an “individual responsibility amount.”
For instance, a freelancer who rarely goes to the doctor might choose a higher AMCS, which keeps their monthly contributions lower. A family with young children might choose a lower AMCS to reduce their out-of-pocket costs when medical needs arise.
7. Who can join a Christian healthsharing plan?
Membership is generally open to anyone willing to support Christian values. While some ministries may require proof of faith or church involvement, WeShare welcomes individuals who simply affirm these shared principles and live by them in their day-to-day lives.
Applicants may be asked to sign a statement of faith or commit to lifestyle guidelines, such as avoiding tobacco or drug use. This shared commitment fosters a like-minded community built on care, compassion, and mutual support.
8. Can I use my own doctor?
Most health sharing ministries partner with nationwide provider networks that include thousands of hospitals, specialists, and pharmacies. That means you’ll often have access to care close to home.
WeShare partners with the largest PPO network of any health sharing ministry, giving Members access to thousands of hospitals, specialists, and pharmacies nationwide. Through its partnership with CVS MinuteClinic, Members can also visit more than 68,000 retail locations for convenient, affordable care close to home.
For example, a parent who needs urgent care for a child can walk into a nearby MinuteClinic and pay only a small consultation fee, with the rest of the eligible expense shared by the community.
9. Do Christian healthsharing plans include wellness benefits?
Yes, many ministries focus on holistic health. This can include telemedicine, fitness programs, nutrition support, counseling, and even resources for spiritual growth.
Imagine being able to video chat with a doctor late at night when your toddler spikes a fever, or accessing online counseling sessions during a stressful season, all as part of your membership. These extras reflect the belief that true health means caring for body, mind, and spirit.
WeShare offers members access to telehealth through Amwell, online counseling sessions with BetterHelp®, fitness apps, nutrition programs like HelloFresh and Noom, and even resources for faith-based encouragement. These kinds of benefits help members stay proactive about their wellness, not just respond when illness strikes.
10. Why do people choose Christian healthsharing plans?
People choose Christian healthsharing plans for many reasons: affordability, simplicity, and community. Monthly contributions are often lower than traditional costs. Guidelines are clear and easy to understand and members know they’re part of something bigger than themselves – a faith-based community where financial help is combined with prayer and encouragement.
For some, it’s about stewardship; using resources wisely while supporting others. For others, it’s about belonging and being surrounded by a network of people who share their values and will walk with them through life’s ups and downs. WeShare by UHSM aims to provide both practical affordability and a sense of spiritual community.
If this approach to healthcare resonates with you, and you’d like to see how it works in practice, explore WeShare’s programs. See how faith and community come together to make wellness more affordable and meaningful.
