Founded in 2014, Liberty HealthShare serves about 90,000 members from its Ohio base. Liberty HealthShare is the program name for the Gospel Light Mennonite Church Medical Aid Plan, Inc. Liberty has a variety of memberships to choose from, including two new programs launched in September 2022: Liberty Rise and Liberty Assist. These new programs aim to help two specific groups often overlooked in the HealthShare industry: seniors and young adults.
Flexible statement of belief
Liberty HealthShare has a Christian-focus, but their requirements are more lenient than some other Christian HealthShares. Members must agree to the following beliefs:
- personal rights and liberties are bestowed by God, not granted by government or men
- that they have a biblical and ethical obligation to assist others
- that it is a duty to have a healthy lifestyle and avoid anything that can cause bad health
- that it is a right to direct their own healthcare free from government dictates, restraints, and oversight
- every individual has the right to worship the God of the Bible in his or her own way
While this list includes items connected to Christianity, they are not laid out in a way that would prevent a non-Christian from joining. Additionally, Liberty asks that members attend worship services regularly but does not specify what regularly means or have attendance at a specific church verified by a third-party. This might be of importance to potential members looking for more freedom to manifest their convictions outside of regular church attendance.
Member-to-member sharing
Liberty uses a payment method called “ShareBox,” which facilitates transfers directly from member-to-member instead of first being deposited into a company bank account. Each month, members are assigned a specific need that they must contribute toward by the end of the month. Members can see exactly where their membership dues go. Additionally, members can send messages of encouragement, prayer, and healing directly to others in the community. Interestingly, Liberty HealthShare values member privacy, and permits members to choose how their names appear on their accounts. Member diagnoses are hidden so only the medical expense can be seen.
Pre-existing conditions and provider choice
Liberty places restrictions on sharing for pre-existing conditions. No costs for these conditions are shareable until the member reaches their second year of membership. However, in the fourth year of membership, there are no limits on pre-existing conditions.
Because Liberty HealthShare does not have a recommended provider network, members are free to choose their own providers. Liberty members use Healthcare Bluebook to find reasonably priced healthcare.
Noteworthy
Here is some of the top information we believe potential members might want to know about this HealthShare.
Key considerations
- Tobacco and vape users not accepted
- Program for members over age 65
Membership requirements
- Live by biblical principles and agree to statement of beliefs
- Enrollment requires medical questionnaire
Pros
- May share in medical tourism
- DialCare mental wellness program
- End of life assistance $3,000-$10,000
- Annual preventive visit not subject to AUA
- Mammogram and Cologuard screenings not subject to AUA
- Screening Pap smear eligible each year, not subject to AUA
- Screening Mammogram eligible once a year after age 50; every other year up to age 49, not subject to AUA
- Membership includes access to the Healthcare BlueBook
Cons
- Three-year lookback period for pre-existing conditions
- Colonoscopy screenings subject to the AUA
- Prenotification required seven days in advance for major services, including maternity
- Two-month wait for any sharing; bills in the first two months of membership do not count toward AUA
- Long turnaround times
Ideal candidates
- Do not use tobacco or vape products
- Want to help others directly
