Common Questions About Health Sharing

Health care sharing has been around in the United States for over five decades, but for a lot of people, it is still unfamiliar territory. If you have been doing research, you have probably come across a wide range of opinions.

The experience people have with health sharing tends to come down to one thing: whether they understood the model going in. Here are some of the most common questions we hear, answered as plainly as we can.

“Is Universal HealthShare just insurance with a different name?”
No, and this is probably the most important thing to understand. Universal Health Fellowship is not an insurance company. Universal HealthShare programs are not insurance products. The model works differently, the terminology is different, and the legal framework is different.

Sharing is voluntary and community-based. Members help each other cover eligible medical expenses because they have agreed to do so, not because a regulatory contract requires it. This is why UHF is intentional about language: monthly share amount instead of premium, Non-Sharable Amount (NSA) instead of deductible, consultation fee instead of co-pay, and sharing guidelines instead of plan documents.

“If my expense is eligible, is sharing guaranteed?”
Sharing is not legally guaranteed the way a claim works under an insurance policy. Whether an expense is shared depends on whether it meets the criteria in your Sharing Guidelines. There are waiting periods, pre-existing condition limitations, annual visit limits, and NSA requirements to understand.

That said, Universal HealthShare has published guidelines and a long history of sharing members’ eligible medical expenses. The key is knowing what’s eligible before you need care. If you are unsure about a service, call member support at (888) 636-7119 before you go. That one step can save a lot of frustration and we are here to help you every step of the way.

“What about pre-existing conditions?”
All UHS programs have waiting periods for pre-existing conditions. The timelines and limits are different between different programs, so it is worth understanding which program you are on and what applies to you specifically.

It is also worth noting that some commonly managed conditions, including Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol, are eligible for sharing as long as they are medically managed. If you have questions about a specific condition, your Sharing Guidelines and member support are the right places to start.

“Do I have to pay up front and wait to get reimbursed?”
Not always. For providers in the Multiplan/PHCS network, they can often bill UHF directly on your behalf. For out-of-network providers, you may need to pay the provider, obtain a super bill, and submit the expense for sharing. The process depends on the provider.

All primary care physicians are considered in-network regardless of PHCS network affiliation, which means your regular doctor can typically bill UHF directly. Check the provider lookup tool at findprovider.universalhealthfellowship.org to confirm network status before a visit.

“What about prescriptions?”
UHSRx is included in all Universal HealthShare programs at no extra cost. It covers over 1,000 common generic medications, many at no charge, with mail-order delivery and urgent in-person options available through the UHSRx app. This is one of the more meaningful things included in every program, regardless of which one you are on.

“Is Universal HealthShare available where I live?”
UHS programs are not available in every state. UHS programs are currently not available to residents of Alaska, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Washington State, or certain U.S. territories.

“Is health sharing legitimate?”
Yes. Health care sharing ministries have a documented history in the United States going back decades, and Universal Health Fellowship has been sharing members’ eligible medical expenses for many years. What matters when evaluating any sharing ministry is published guidelines, transparent processes, and a track record you can verify. UHF provides all three. That said, health sharing is not the right fit for everyone, and we would never suggest it is.

→ Still have questions? Your member portal has your Sharing Guidelines, or connect with a UHF agent for a real conversation at (888) 636-7119.