HealthShare plans can offer significant savings compared to traditional health insurance, but understanding how the costs work is key to making the right choice.
If you want to see what offerings are out there and compare those options, start with our complete list of The 10 Best HealthShare Plans in 2025, where we break down the top-rated programs and how their pricing structures stack up.
Let’s take a closer look at the key components that affect how much you’ll actually pay with a HealthShare.
Monthly Share Amount (Your Monthly Contribution)
This amount is similar to a monthly premium — but instead of paying an insurance company, you’re contributing to a shared pool, which is used to help other members with their eligible medical needs.
- Your monthly share amount depends on the chosen program type, pre-share amount (explained below), age group, and household size.
- Your monthly contribution is directly tied to your pre-share amount. Plans with a higher pre-share typically have lower monthly contributions, while lower pre-share plans usually come with higher monthly contributions.
Pre-Share Amount (Member Responsibility Before Sharing Begins)
This amount functions similarly to a deductible — it’s the portion of medical expenses you must meet before the HealthShare community begins sharing in eligible needs.
- Unlike insurance deductibles, pre-share amounts are not paid to the HealthShare directly but are paid to your provider as part of your self-pay responsibility.
- Some HealthShares calculate this amount on an annual basis, while others apply it per incident or medical need.
- A few HealthShares may also apply a co-share amount after the pre-share is met — meaning you’re responsible for a percentage of the remaining eligible bill until you reach a defined amount.
Other Costs (Vary by HealthShare)
Beyond the monthly share and pre-share amount, HealthShares may include other costs such as administrative fees and provider fees.
- Administrative fees are similar to service charges in traditional health plans — but instead of covering insurance overhead, they help support the HealthShare’s operations, technology, and member services.
- Some HealthShares include these fees as part of your membership, while others charge them separately:
- One-time enrollment fee
While not all HealthShares require an enrollment fee, those that do typically apply it toward account setup and onboarding. - Annual membership renewal fee
Some HealthShares charge an annual renewal fee to maintain active membership, support administrative services, and provide access to member portals and online tools, while others do not require one. - Administrative fee
While administrative fees are typically built into the monthly contribution, some HealthShares openly disclose the percentage allocated to them for transparency.
- One-time enrollment fee
- Provider fees may apply when receiving care, depending on how each HealthShare structures access to services.
- Provider fees
Some HealthShares require a small fee when visiting a provider or using specific services, while others do not charge for these particular fees.
- Provider fees
HealthShare Members Are Self-Pay Patients
As a HealthShare member, you’re typically considered a self-pay patient when receiving care. This means you’re billed directly by the provider — not through an insurance network — which can open the door to private pay discounts or simple cash-pay arrangements.
- Some HealthShares assist with this process by coordinating care or helping members understand fair pricing expectations.
- In select cases, they may work with providers to negotiate pricing ahead of time or use common benchmarks for reasonable charges.
Final Thoughts
Costs with HealthShares can be more flexible and affordable — if you understand how they work from the start. Take the time to review the full picture, not just the costs. Each HealthShare can offer something unique that meets certain budgets or preferences.
Ready to compare programs? Our complete guide to the 10 Best HealthShare Plans in 2025 breaks down real examples to help you make a confident choice.
NOTE: HealthShares are NOT health insurance — they are nonprofit cost-sharing programs that aren’t regulated like traditional insurance but can offer a simpler, more affordable way to manage healthcare costs.
