Healthshare ministries — Medi-Share, Samaritan, Christian Healthcare Ministries, Liberty Healthshare — are not insurance. They're cost-sharing communities, primarily Christian, that pool member contributions to pay each other's medical bills. They're also marketed aggressively in Texas as cheaper alternatives to insurance.
What they are
A voluntary cost-sharing arrangement. You pay a monthly contribution (called a 'share'), and members collectively reimburse each other's eligible medical expenses. There is no contractual obligation for the ministry to pay any specific bill.
Where they work well
- Healthy individuals with no ongoing conditions who want lower monthly cost.
- People aligned with the ministry's statement of faith and lifestyle requirements.
- Primary use case: catastrophic protection, not routine care.
Where they fall short
- No legal contract — claims can be denied at the ministry's discretion.
- Pre-existing conditions usually excluded for 1–3 years.
- Mental health, maternity, and preventive care often excluded or capped.
- No regulatory oversight equivalent to state insurance commissioners.