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United Refuah HealthShare

United Refuah HealthShare, headquartered in Ohio, was founded in 2018; however, they took over the health sharing program of Maysville Fellowship Medical Aid Plan (founded before 1999). “Refuah” means healing in Hebrew, and unlike many HealthShares, which have Christian roots, United Refuah is a Jewish organization. Refuah values the religious community it serves and promotes caring for one another. United Refuah was founded by Baruch Chaim Manies, an entrepreneur who wanted to provide a medical cost sharing option to his Jewish community after many Christian HealthShares were unwilling to accept Jewish members.

The HealthShare provides an option for Jewish people who want to participate in a medical cost sharing organization that shares their values. Comments from Moishe Katz, the National Director of United Refuah HealthShare, indicate that while members must belong to the Jewish community and share Jewish values, they do not necessarily have to be practicing Jews.

United Refuah’s member responsibility

Unlike many HealthShares, which apply member responsibility costs on a per-need basis, United Refuah members pay an “Annual Pre-Share Amount,” which resets on the anniversary of their membership each year. The Pre-Share amount is $500 for a single member, $1,000 for a couple, and $1,500 for a family. After the Annual Pre-Share Amount, United Refuah will share in 80 percent of eligible medical bills. Members have responsibility for 20 percent of their medical bills until they meet an “Annual Co-Share Responsibility.” After the Co-Share amount is met, United Refuah will begin to share 100 percent of a member’s eligible medical costs. The maximum co-share responsibility is $1,000 for single members, $2,000 for couples, and $4,000 for a family.

Family memberships could pay up to $5,500 in medical bills before their needs are fully shareable. Refuah also charges pregnancy fees in addition to the Annual Pre-Share and Co-Share amounts. However, once these amounts are met, United Refuah HealthShare shares 100 percent of eligible medical bills.

Preauthorization with United Refuah HealthShare

One key consideration with United Refuah HealthShare is its strict preauthorization policy—many medical needs are only shareable after preapproval. United Refuah also has sharing limits for specific services (generally based on the caps placed by Medicare). For example, United Refuah reimburses doctor visits up to 50 percent above the Medicare rate. In these cases, United Refuah helps negotiate rates for patients too.

For emergency care and maternity admission, United Refuah asks for notification within 48 hours of admission. Any emergency admission that is reported will be scrutinized by United Refuah to make sure they are medically necessary.

Wellness with United Refuah HealthShare

United Refuah shares costs for some types of therapy and mental wellness visits, such as psychological counseling ( with certain restrictions). They also share in some preventive care, like annual wellness visits, Pap smears, mammograms, and colonoscopy screenings. Preventive services are not subject to the AHP or annual co-share.

Some prospective members may be required to enroll in United Refuah’s Well Check program for an additional fee of $55 per month. This program is for members with certain health conditions that may be improved with lifestyle changes.

Noteworthy

Here is some of the top information we believe potential members might want to know about this HealthShare.

Key considerations

  • $1,000,000 incident limit
  • No smoking or tobacco use allowed
  • May deny membership/require permanent waivers due to pre-existing conditions
  • Pre-existing conditions fully shareable after four years of membership
  • Sixty-day waiting period before sharing fully begins

Membership requirements

  • Share Jewish beliefs and maintain Jewish lifestyle
  • Provide detailed health information to United Refuah
  • Be under 65 years of age

Pros

  • Prescription discounts
  • No lifetime sharing limit
  • Affordable monthly contributions and member responsibility
  • $600 annual allowance for preventive care visit per person
  • Some therapy and mental health services shareable with pre-approval
  • No pregnancy fees for family membership

Cons

  • No maternity sharing for unwed mothers
  • No discounts for dental or vision
  • Pregnancy fees for mothers in a single or couple membership
  • Enrollment fee of $125; annual renewal of $75; $10 credit card fee
  • Many types of sharing only eligible after pre-notification to Refuah HealthShare

Ideal candidates

  • Belong to the Jewish community
  • Don’t participate in hazardous hobbies or professional sports
  • Appreciate a simple program structure
  • Do not smoke or use tobacco products

Learn more about United Refuah HealthShare by watching their video

 

Page Updated: 03.01.23

Website unitedrefuahhs.org
Religious Requirements Jewish
Need Processing Time 30 days
Caps $1,000,000 per incident; No lifetime limit
Personal Responsibility $500-$1,500 APA + $1,000-$4,000 max co-share
Pre-existing Limitations 1st year not shared; 2nd year shareable up to $25,000; 4th year fully shareable
Pre-existing exception(s) Some conditions may never be shareable; Prospective members may be asked to sign permanent waiver
Wellness Visit Yes, up to $600 per person annually
Preventive Immunizations Yes, subject to APA
Screening for Mammogram Yes, every other year after age 50
Screening for Colonoscopy Yes, every ten years after 50
Mental Health For diagnosed illness: 10 visits annually; Max $125 per visit
Provider Network None
Need Processing Method Provider Direct, Reimbursement
Telemedicine TeleRefuah
Startup Fee 125.00
Renewal Fee 75.00
Prescriptions Inpatient and specialty meds only
Maternity Yes; additional APA for single and couple
Membership Size 3000
Community Start Date 2017

Reviews

HealthShare Guide 1 reviews
5 / 5
Google 85 reviews
4.9 / 5
0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0

United Refuah HealthShare Options

Family Couple Single
Annual Out of Pocket Max $5,500 $3,000 ($3,900 with pregnancy fee) $1,500 ($4,000 with pregnancy fee)
Shareable Cost Per Need 80% after $1,500 APA; 100% after $4,000 Max co-share 80% after $1,000 APA; 100% after $2,000 Max co-share 80% after $500 APA; 100% after $1,000 Max co-share
Max Sharing Per Need $1,000,000* $1,000,000* $1,000,000*
Extended Sharing N/A N/A N/A
Doctor's Office Visits Yes Yes Yes
Hospitalization Need-based; pre-approval required Need-based; pre-approval required Need-based; pre-approval required
Emergency Care Yes, strict Yes, strict Yes, strict
Prescriptions Need-based; Discounts available Need-based; Discounts available Need-based; Discounts available
Maternity Yes; No additional fee Yes; $900 pregnancy fee Yes with $2,500 pregnancy fee
Note *Different limits during first 60 days of membership; Additional $50 APA per dependent after first six *25,000 limit for needs occurring in first 60 days *25,000 limit for needs occurring in first 60 days
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Personal Responsibility: United Refuah has an Annual PreShare Amount (APA) with maximum annual co-shares. Members pay a 20% co-share after their APA up until their maximum co-share amount for the year. Single members have a $500 APA, $1000 max co-share, and $2,500 pregnancy fee. The most a single member could pay out of pocket in a year for personal responsibility is $4,000 (Couples $3,900; Families $5,500). Without a pregnancy need, the max out-of-pocket for personal responsibility in one year is $1,500 Single; $3,000 Couple; $5,500 Family.

Sharing Limits: First 60 days limited to $25,000 max for all household members combined.

Maximum Service Rate: If a bill exceeds United Refuah’s maximum rate for a service the member is responsible for paying the difference.

Mental Health: Sharing available for diagnosed psychological or psychiatric conditions, not for general family counseling, learning disabilities, or behavioral counseling.

Well Check: All members will submit a health questionnaire during the application process. United Refuah may determine that some members enroll in their WellCheck Assist or WellCheck Support program to be granted membership. If United Refuah makes this determination, it is not negotiable.

 

Have an opinion? We want to hear it!

Are you or have you been a member of United Refuah HealthShare? Please leave a review below so others can get a better sense of what it’s like to be a part of a healthsharing ministry! If you have any questions about United Refuah HealthShare, contact us!
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Reviews

  • ByCreated Moshe Mermelstein (2023-02-06 08:18:28)

    We are thrilled with United Refuah! They are so efficient and so easy to get through to! Someone is always available to help us. They pay right away and it has just been a smooth experience from day 1! They are a pleasure to deal with!

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