Medi-Share: A Trusted Alternative to Health Insurance During Open Enrollment

Open Enrollment is a time when families reassess what matters most in their healthcare, which is clarity, affordability, reliability, and alignment with personal values. With rising costs, shrinking networks, and upcoming policy changes, many Christians are exploring Medi-Share, a trusted, faith-based alternative to traditional health insurance.

For more than 30 years, Medi-Share has allowed believers to support one another through prayer and the sharing of eligible medical expenses. Instead of navigating the complexity of traditional health insurance, members find peace of mind in a community rooted in Biblical values and personal responsibility. It is a practical, affordable, and Christ-centered approach for individuals and families seeking Christian healthcare that reflects their faith.

Quick Summary

Medi-Share is a Christian health care sharing ministry that offers a faith-based alternative to traditional health insurance. Members share eligible medical expenses, support one another through prayer, and enjoy flexible, affordable healthcare options rooted in Biblical values. This guide explains how Medi-Share works, what it costs, and why many Christians choose it during Open Enrollment.

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Why Americans Are Seeking a New Approach to Healthcare

The Growing Burden of Traditional Health Costs

Across the country, traditional healthcare is becoming increasingly expensive. Higher monthly costs, increasing deductibles, and limited provider choices leave many families feeling overwhelmed. These concerns have encouraged people to explore Health Care Sharing Ministries, Christian healthcare solutions, and models that emphasize stewardship and community rather than corporate systems.

Policy Shifts Coming in 2026–2027

Alongside rising costs, two significant federal changes are set to reshape the healthcare landscape:

Enhanced ACA subsidies expire on January 1, 2026

This change may increase monthly costs for Marketplace enrollees and create additional financial strain for middle-income households that relied on the enhanced support.

Medicaid work requirements begin in 2027

Able-bodied adults ages 19–64 must complete 80 hours of work, education, or volunteer service each month to maintain eligibility. Even with exemptions, millions may lose coverage due to administrative hurdles.

These shifts are motivating families to seek dependable, value-based healthcare solutions grounded in faith, stewardship, and community care. This is where programs like Medi-Share provide a meaningful alternative.

What Is a Health Care Sharing Ministry?

A Health Care Sharing ministry (HCSM) is a community of Christians who agree to share one another’s medical expenses. It is a faith-driven approach to healthcare that draws inspiration from the early church’s commitment to caring for one another in times of need. Members contribute a monthly amount that helps share eligible medical expenses according to community-voted Guidelines.

A Biblical Foundation

HCSMs are built on Biblical principles such as generosity, gratitude, and mutual support. Members commit to a lifestyle that honors God, cares for the body, and fosters unity within the community. This shared foundation creates a healthcare experience centered on relationship and encouragement, not just transactions.

How a Health Care Sharing Ministry Differs From Traditional Insurance?

Although many people refer to programs like Medi-Share as “MediShare insurance” or “Christian health insurance,” they operate very differently.

Here’s what sets them apart:

• Focus on sharing, not claims: Members share in one another’s eligible medical costs based on community Guidelines.
• Freedom to choose providers: Members may access the PHCS PPO network and also have the flexibility to compare prices or negotiate fair rates as self-pay patients.
• A wellness-first mindset: Members receive access to wellness resources and programs that promote healthy, God-honoring lifestyles.
• Community over complexity: Prayer, encouragement, and Biblical accountability are woven into every part of the experience, creating a sense of belonging that traditional healthcare cannot replicate.

This is why many believers searching for the best Christian health insurance alternatives find Medi-Share appealing.

What Is Medi-Share?

Medi-Share is a Christ-centered health care sharing ministry where members support one another emotionally, spiritually, and financially through prayer and the sharing of eligible medical expenses. It is a community built on Biblical values, personal responsibility, and compassionate stewardship.

Core Pillars of Medi-Share

• Prayer and encouragement
• Christ-centered wellness resources
• Stewardship-driven decision-making
• A supportive community of believers

For more than 30 years, Medi-Share has connected believers who share one another’s medical burdens, pray for one another, and encourage each other to live healthy, God-honoring lives. It is one of the most trusted alternatives to health insurance for Christians who want their healthcare decisions to reflect their spiritual commitments.

How Medi-Share Works

Medi-Share’s model is built around simplicity, transparency, and community care.

Sharing Eligible Medical Costs

Instead of filing claims, members submit their medical bills, and needs that meet the community-voted Guidelines are shared among members.

Provider Flexibility

Medi-Share members may access the PHCS PPO network and, when needed, compare and negotiate pricing as self-pay patients.

Stewardship At the Center

Members are encouraged to make wise decisions, plan, and pursue healthy lifestyles that serve both their household and the broader community.

Wellness Support

Tools like the Biblical Wellness Program offer courses, challenges, and practical guidance to help members honor God through nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, and daily habits.

Spiritual Encouragement

From prayer to words of encouragement, members experience care that goes far beyond financial sharing.

Medi-Share offers Christ-centered healthcare solutions designed to support individuals, families, and seniors with compassion, clarity, and wise stewardship. Whether you are raising young children, managing a busy household, or navigating life after 65, Medi-Share provides a meaningful alternative to traditional health insurance that aligns with your values and connects you to a supportive community of believers.

Medi-Share Program Options

Medi-Share Complete: For Individuals and Families

It is designed for individuals and families who want a comprehensive, faith-based approach to healthcare. With flexible and affordable options, this program provides peace of mind knowing that your medical needs may be shared by a caring Christian community.

Members receive:

• An affordable, faith-based alternative to health insurance
• Support for routine and major medical events
• Access to over 1 million PPO providers
• 24/7 Telehealth access with board-certified providers
• AHP options of $3,000, $6,000, $9,000, or $12,000
• TeleBehavioral Health
• Maternity care
• Sharing in hospital, surgical, and other eligible expenses
• Discount programs for dental, hearing, and prescriptions

Tools like Healthcare Bluebook and provider flexibility help families steward their healthcare wisely and transparently.

Medi-Share 65+: HealthCare for Seniors 65 and Older

For adults 65 and older, Medi-Share 65+ offers a dependable, affordable solution that works alongside Medicare. With low monthly shares and transparent guidelines, this program helps seniors steward their healthcare in a way that honors God and supports their financial well-being.

Members appreciate:

• Predictable monthly shares ($99 for ages 65–74, $150 for ages 75+)
• Freedom to see any provider who accepts Medicare
• 24/7 Telehealth
• Discounts on dental and hearing
• A $500 AHP
• Sharing in Medicare deductibles, copays, hospitalizations, nursing facility care, and durable medical equipment

Medi-Share 65+ helps fill financial gaps by sharing eligible expenses Medicare does not cover. It is a meaningful way for seniors to remain connected to a Christian community that supports them spiritually, emotionally, and financially.

Who Is Medi-Share Right For?

Medi-Share serves Christians who want their healthcare experience to reflect their faith, their values, and their desire for wise stewardship. While every household is different, many people discover that a community-based, Christ-centered approach offers the clarity, support, and affordability they have been searching for.

Medi-Share is often a good fit for:

Families Seeking a Faith-Driven Healthcare Model

Families value the spiritual support, encouragement, and community prayer that Medi-Share offers. They appreciate:

• Affordable, flexible options
• A wellness-focused community
• A model that supports responsible decision-making
• A Christ-centered way to navigate both routine and major medical needs
  

Individuals Looking for Affordable, Purposeful Healthcare

Whether single or married without children, individuals are turning to Medi-Share because they want:

• A simpler, more transparent healthcare solution
• Freedom to choose providers within a nationwide network
• A community that aligns with their Christian beliefs
• Tools that make stewarding their health easier

Self-Employed Professionals and Small Business Owners

Those who run their own businesses or work independently often face steep healthcare costs. Medi-Share provides:

• Predictable monthly shares
• A supportive Christian community
• Flexible options tailored to varying income levels
• A values-driven approach that complements entrepreneurial lifestyles

Christians Seeking Community-Driven Care

Some people join Medi-Share because they want their healthcare to reflect their faith. They desire:

• Prayer during medical challenges
• Encouragement from fellow believers
• Resources that support Biblical wellness
• A chance to help others through shared medical needs

Seniors with Medicare Parts A & B

For adults age 65 and older, Medi-Share 65+ offers a simple, predictable, affordable complement to Medicare. Seniors appreciate:

• Low, transparent monthly shares
• Sharing in Medicare deductibles and copays
• Access to any provider who accepts Medicare
• Discounts on dental and hearing
• A community that supports them in retirement

Who May Not Be a Fit?

Medi-Share is designed for Christians who affirm a statement of faith and agree to Biblical lifestyle standards. Those seeking traditional insurance structures or who cannot meet lifestyle expectations may prefer other options.

Is Medi-Share Right for You?

If you want a healthcare experience rooted in Christian values, prayer, stewardship, and community, Medi-Share offers a meaningful path forward for your household.  It provides an opportunity to steward your health in a community that shares your values, prays for your family, and walks alongside you through life’s medical challenges.

How to Get Started With Medi-Share

Beginning your Medi-Share journey is simple and intentional, designed to help you make a faith-centered decision about your healthcare. Each step moves you deeper into understanding how this Christ-centered community can support your household.

Step 1: Explore Your Program Options

Your starting point is choosing which Medi-Share program fits your season of life. Individuals and families can learn about Medi-Share Complete, while seniors with Medicare Parts A and B can review Medi-Share 65+.

Step 2: Review the Guidelines

Once you know which program interests you, the next step is to review the Medi-Share Guidelines. These are shaped by the members themselves and outline how eligible medical expenses are shared.

Step 3: Calculate Your Monthly Share

With the Guidelines in mind, you can explore your Monthly Share amount. Medi-Share provides clear tools to help you compare Annual Household Portion (AHP) levels and see how each option affects your cost.

Step 4: Complete Your Application

After choosing your program and Monthly Share, you can complete the application. This process includes affirming Medi-Share’s Statement of Faith and its Biblical lifestyle expectations. Once your application is approved, your membership becomes active.

Step 5: Access Care With Confidence

Once approved, you can schedule Telehealth, visit providers, compare pricing, and receive support from a community of believers.

FAQs

What makes Medi-Share a strong alternative to traditional health insurance?

Medi-Share offers a Biblical, community-driven model in which members share eligible medical expenses rather than filing claims.

Is Medi-Share considered health insurance?

No. It is a recognized health care sharing ministry, which means it operates differently from insurance. Members voluntarily share eligible medical expenses in accordance with community-voted Guidelines. While some people casually refer to it as “Medi-Share insurance,” the experience is community-driven and faith-based, not contractual.

How much does Medi-Share cost?

Costs vary based on household size, age, program, and AHP selection. Many members find that Medi-Share offers a more affordable option than traditional plans, with transparent pricing and flexible choices designed to support wise stewardship.

What is AHP?

The Annual Household Portion (AHP) is the amount your household is responsible for paying toward eligible medical bills before other members begin sharing in your medical needs. It functions similarly to a “deductible” in traditional insurance, but because Medi-Share is not insurance, the term AHP is used instead.

Can I choose my own doctor with Medi-Share?

Yes. Medi-Share members have access to the extensive PHCS PPO network, which includes over one million providers nationwide. Seniors using Medi-Share 65+ may visit any provider who accepts Medicare, offering additional freedom and flexibility.

Is Medi-Share a good option for seniors?

Absolutely. Medi-Share 65+ is designed specifically for members who have Medicare Parts A & B. It shares in Medicare-approved expenses such as deductibles, copays, hospitalizations, nursing facility care, and more, all while offering low monthly shares and the support of a caring Christian community.

How do I know if Medi-Share is right for my family?

Medi-Share is ideal for Christians who want a healthcare experience grounded in Biblical values, community support, prayer, and responsible living. If you appreciate wise stewardship, transparency, and a faith-based approach to healthcare, Medi-Share may be a meaningful fit for your household.

Conclusion

In a world where healthcare often feels complicated, costly, and disconnected from your values, Medi-Share offers something refreshingly different. Whether you’re raising a family, navigating life as a young professional, or enjoying your retirement years, Medi-Share provides a meaningful alternative to traditional health insurance. It is built on Biblical principles, transparency, and compassionate support.

As healthcare continues to change, many Christians are choosing Medi-Share for its simplicity, affordability, and deep sense of community. If you desire a healthcare experience grounded in faith, stewardship, and shared responsibility, Medi-Share may be the right path for you and your family.

Ready to explore whether Medi-Share is right for you? Begin your membership journey with confidence.