Every HealthShare is different and will suit the needs of different members. However, with so many new organizations popping up every day, determining the best fit can be challenging. With this in mind, HealthShare Guide has identified the top HealthShares of 2021 to help assist in this process.
Zion HealthShare
Ranked as the number one HealthShare in the United States, Zion HealthShare is known for its flexible membership requirements. And while the company does acknowledge a Higher Power, they do not require members to have any specific religious affiliation, only a commitment to living a healthy life.
Unlike most religious HealthShares, Zion HealthShare shares in maternity bills for single mothers and costs related to substance abuse treatment. Zion HealthShare also provides sharing options for routine care, mental health services, and some prescriptions. Additionally, the give members the flexibility to choose their providers.
The membership structure is straightforward with many available options. Zion HealthShare processes member needs promptly, and roughly 90% of membership dues go toward bill sharing.
OneShare Health
OneShare Health distinguishes itself as a flexible, welcoming religious HealthShare. Members must agree to love God and their neighbors and show that love by caring for others. There are no particular denomination requirements for membership. In fact, their guidelines state that all people must be able to worship freely.
In addition to the usual services provided by sharing ministries, OneShare keeps a chaplain on staff who takes member prayer requests. They also offer regular devotional material on the website and a mental health hotline that provides crisis aid and counseling sessions. The ministry also has short wait times for processing member needs and grants members access to telemedicine services 24/7.
Critiques from member reviews often relate to difficulty finding providers in the preferred network or the cost of membership. OneShare is a bit more expensive than most HealthShares but also seems to offer more value for the membership. In general, members report that employees are helpful and kind and appreciate the extra benefits the HealthShare offers.
Samaritan Ministries
Samaritan Ministries is a long-standing HealthShare that has served Christians for over 25 years. Samaritan’s membership requirements are strict in comparison with the other ministries on this list, with certain denominations not accepted. Additionally, members must provide evidence that they are following the membership guidelines. However, its long history and focus on member involvement earns it a place here.
Samaritan encourages member involvement in the HealthShare community, such as voting for key policies and exchanging letters and prayer requests. Also, Samaritan allows members to see which member their monthly dues are helping and how much of their contribution is going to another’s need. The ministry focuses on transparency and has pledged to never spend more than 20% of membership dues on overhead costs.
Unlike OneShare and Zion HealthShare, Samaritan does not offer sharing for preventive care, mental health, or telemedicine services. Wait times for processing needs are longer, but it does support medical tourism and allows some physical therapy sharing.
Samaritan is a more traditional HealthShare in the sense that it’s designed more for crisis care than as a well-rounded alternative for health insurance.
In conclusion, the state of the HealthShare industry in 2021 presents an array of options, each with unique strengths and features designed to meet the diverse needs of their members. Given the many options out there, choosing the right HealthShare can be daunting. Prospective members should treat this article as a starting point, and keep in mind that the most suitable HealthShare is the one that aligns with their personal beliefs, specific health needs, and budget.
