Health Sharing Is Not Insurance—and That’s the Point

If you have researched Universal HealthShare or talked to an agent about it, you have probably heard the phrase “this is not insurance.” It is right there on every program brochure, and we say it out loud in every conversation.

But what does that mean for you as a member? And why does it matter?

What the Distinction Means
In the United States, the word “insurance” has a specific legal meaning. Insurance companies are regulated by state insurance commissioners. They must follow defined processes and, in many cases, cover a set list of services required by law.

Universal Health Fellowship is a not-for-profit health care sharing ministry. We are not an insurance company, and Universal HealthShare programs are not insurance policies. The relationship between UHF and its members is voluntary and values-based. Members agree to share each other’s eligible medical expenses because they choose to, not because a contract legally requires it.

This is not fine print. It is the foundation of how health sharing works, and every member deserves to understand it clearly.

What This Means in Practice
Because UHF is not insurance, a few things work differently than you might expect:

• Expenses are shared according to the Sharing Guidelines, not a legal obligation to pay claims. Eligible expenses that meet program guidelines are shared. Those that do not, are not.
• State insurance regulators do not oversee UHF. If a dispute arises, you cannot file a complaint with your state’s Department of Insurance.
• UHF programs are not available everywhere. Universal HealthShare is 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.
• The terminology is different on purpose. Words like “premium,” “deductible,” “co-pay,” and “claim” carry specific insurance meanings that do not apply here. UHF uses terms like monthly share amount, Non-Sharable Amount (NSA), consultation fee, and sharing guidelines. Getting familiar with this language will help you understand your program more clearly.

Why People Choose Health Sharing
Understanding those distinctions is important. So is understanding why, for the right person, health sharing can be a genuinely good fit.

UHF is a not-for-profit community. Monthly share amounts tend to be meaningfully lower than what many people pay for other coverage options, particularly for those who do not qualify for ACA subsidies. Members have broad flexibility to see the providers they want. UHSRx is included in every program at no extra cost. And when something comes up, real people on the UHF support team are there to help you figure it out.

It is a different kind of relationship than what most people have experienced with traditional coverage. For members who are aligned with the values and understand the model, it tends to feel more personal and less bureaucratic.

Being Honest Is Part of How We Operate
We would rather walk you through the real differences than let you find out later that something worked differently than you expected. That is not the kind of experience we want for our members.

Health sharing works well for people who are a good fit and who go in with clear expectations. If you have questions about whether Universal HealthShare is right for your situation, the best next step is to talk to a UHF agent who can give you an honest picture.

→ Want to talk through whether Universal HealthShare makes sense for you? Learn more by calling (888) 636-7119.