Healthshare Plans: A Cost-Effective Alternative to Health Insurance

Over 2 million people have already chosen healthshare plans to manage their healthcare costs.

This fast-growing, community-based alternative is helping Coloradoans cut their healthcare expenses—sometimes by as much as half—without sacrificing coverage.

What if you could reduce your healthcare spending and still access the care you need?

Healthshares are transforming how people pay for medical expenses. Discover how they work, who they benefit, and why they might be the solution you’ve been waiting for.

Healthshares: An Alternative to Health Insurance

Healthshare programs, also known as healthcare sharing ministries or medical sharing plans, are a community-driven approach to covering healthcare costs.

Instead of paying traditional insurance premiums, members contribute a set monthly amount. These contributions go into a collective fund used to pay for qualifying medical expenses of other members in the group.

Unlike conventional health insurance, healthshares operate on shared responsibility and mutual support, often within communities tied to a church or shared belief system.

They are particularly suited for individuals in relatively good health who want to lower their healthcare expenses.

Key Differences Between Healthshares and Insurance

• Monthly Contributions vs. Premiums
  Healthshares don’t use the term “premiums.” Instead, members make monthly contributions to help cover the group’s medical needs. These contributions often cost far less than typical insurance premiums.
• Affordable Payments
  Healthshare plans can cost half or less compared to unsubsidized traditional health insurance. This affordability comes from a healthier membership base, fewer administrative costs, and lighter regulatory requirements.
• Special Requirements & Conditions
  Healthshares usually have specific guidelines for membership. These can include maintaining a healthy lifestyle, such as avoiding smoking and excessive drinking. Additionally, many plans have a waiting period before covering pre-existing conditions. This means healthshares may not be the best fit for everyone, especially those who need immediate coverage for ongoing medical issues.

By pooling resources and adhering to shared principles, healthshare programs offer a viable, community-based alternative for managing healthcare costs without the high price tag of traditional insurance.

A Penalty-Free Alternative to Health Insurance

One of the standout advantages of healthshare programs is that they can serve as a penalty-free alternative to traditional insurance.

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), individuals who didn’t have standard health insurance previously faced penalties.

However, members of certain healthshare ministries are exempt from these penalties if the ministry meets specific criteria.

To qualify for this exemption, the health sharing ministry must:

• Be a nonprofit organization.
• Have existed continuously since December 30, 1999, or earlier.
• Be recognized by the government as meeting ACA exemption requirements.

This means members of qualifying healthshares can legally opt out of traditional health insurance without worrying about penalties.

Although the federal penalty for not having health insurance was reduced to $0 in 2019, some states still impose their own penalties. Healthshare programs can provide a way to avoid these state-level fines while maintaining an affordable healthcare solution.

If you’re looking for a way to break free from expensive ACA plans while staying compliant, a qualified healthshare program could be the ideal solution.

Less Limits on Choice of Doctors and Facilities

Have you ever felt stuck with subpar insurance just to keep seeing your preferred doctor?

Or have you been frustrated when the only covered specialist doesn’t meet your standards?

Traditional insurance plans often limit your options, forcing you to travel far for referrals or settle for providers you wouldn’t otherwise choose.

Healthshare programs offer a refreshing change.

As a member, you typically enjoy more freedom to choose the healthcare providers and facilities that best meet your needs. Whether it’s your trusted family doctor, a top-rated specialist, or a nearby clinic, healthshares let you decide where and how to get your care—without restrictive networks standing in your way.

If flexibility and choice are important to you, healthshare programs can provide the freedom traditional insurance often lacks.

Learn More: Which Health Sharing Plans in Colorado Allow You to See Any Doctor?

Faith-Based and Non-Religious Options

Healthshare plans began with Health Care Sharing Ministries (HCSMs).

These faith-based organizations were designed to help members share medical expenses in line with biblical principles of community, charity, and caring for others.

These ministries provided a way for Christians to support one another’s healthcare costs while staying true to their values.

Today, healthshare programs have expanded beyond faith-based groups. While many healthshares still maintain a Christian foundation, there are now non-denominational and secular options available.

This means you can find a healthshare option that aligns with your personal beliefs, whether faith-based or not.

Regardless of the structure, these programs foster a sense of community and shared responsibility, allowing members to participate in a system that reflects their principles and priorities.

What Healthshare Options Are Available in Colorado?

We offer multiple healthshare options in Colorado, not all of which we are allowed to share on the website. The most popular programs we currently offer are: