What Medi-Share is and how payment works
Medi-Share is a health cost-sharing ministry, not insurance. Members pay a monthly share amount directly to the organization, which then distributes funds to cover other members' medical bills. You send your payment to Medi-Share (not to a doctor or hospital), and Medi-Share processes claims from members who have incurred medical expenses.
The payment structure is different from traditional health insurance premiums. Instead of paying an insurer that guarantees coverage, you pay a monthly membership fee that goes into a shared pool. Medi-Share then uses that pool to reimburse members' medical costs according to their membership guidelines. Your payment is typically due on the same date each month.
Because Medi-Share is faith-based and operates as a ministry rather than an insurance company, it is not regulated by state insurance departments. This means the protections that apply to health insurance — such as may provide coverage or appeals processes — do not apply in the same way.
Key Takeaways
- Medi-Share members pay a monthly share amount that goes into a shared pool rather than to an insurance company, and payment is typically due on a set date each month.
- You can pay your Medi-Share bill online through their member portal, by phone, by mail, or by automatic bank transfer, depending on which method you set up.
- Your monthly share amount depends on your age, family size, and the membership plan you choose, and it can change if Medi-Share adjusts rates or if your household composition changes.
- Missing a payment can result in membership suspension, which means Medi-Share will not process new claims until your account is current.
- Medi-Share does not cover all medical expenses — certain conditions, treatments, and costs fall outside the sharing guidelines, so you should review what is and is not covered before enrolling.
How to submit your Medi-Share payment each month
Medi-Share offers several payment methods. The most common is online payment through your member account on their website — you log in, enter payment information, and submit. This method is typically free and processes within one to two business days.
You can also set up automatic monthly payments from your bank account, which ensures you do not miss a due date. Medi-Share will deduct your share amount on the same day each month. To enroll in autopay, log into your member portal or call Medi-Share's member services line to authorize the transfer.
If you prefer not to pay online, you can mail a check to the address listed on your bill or call member services to pay by phone using a debit or credit card. Phone payments may incur a processing fee depending on the payment method you use. Mail payments take longer to process — typically five to seven business days — so plan ahead if you choose this route.
What happens if you miss or delay a payment
Medi-Share suspends membership if your payment is not received by the due date. During suspension, the organization will not process new claims, though you remain responsible for paying your share amount. If you have already submitted a claim before the suspension, Medi-Share may still process it, but this depends on when the claim was filed and the organization's current policies.
If your account falls behind, contact Medi-Share's member services as soon as possible. They can tell you the exact amount owed, any late fees that have been applied, and the steps to bring your account current. Once you pay the full amount due, your membership is reinstated and Medi-Share will resume processing claims.
Repeated late payments or non-payment can result in termination of your membership. If Medi-Share terminates your account, you will need to reapply and may face a waiting period before coverage resumes. This is different from insurance, where cancellation for non-payment is governed by state law — Medi-Share has more flexibility in how it handles delinquent accounts.
Understanding your monthly share amount and what affects it
Your monthly share amount is based on your age, the ages of your family members (if you have dependents), and the membership plan you select. Medi-Share publishes different share amounts for individual, couple, and family memberships. The organization also offers different plan levels — typically a standard plan and a higher-cost plan with lower out-of-pocket costs for members.
Medi-Share can adjust share amounts, though the organization typically announces changes in advance. If you receive notice that your share amount is increasing, you will have a window to review the change and decide whether to continue your membership. Some members choose to switch to a lower-cost plan tier if rates rise significantly.
Your share amount can also change if your household composition changes — for example, if you add a spouse or dependent, or if a dependent ages out of your membership. You must notify Medi-Share of these changes, and your share amount will be adjusted accordingly, usually effective the following month.
What medical costs Medi-Share does and does not cover
Medi-Share covers a range of medical expenses, including hospitalization, surgery, emergency care, and certain outpatient treatments. However, the organization has specific guidelines about what it will share — and these guidelines are not the same as insurance coverage.
Medi-Share does not cover costs related to pre-existing conditions during an initial waiting period (typically 12 months from enrollment). The organization also does not cover certain treatments it considers elective or non-essential, such as cosmetic procedures, fertility treatments, or some mental health services. Prescription medications, preventive care, and routine doctor visits may have limited or no coverage depending on your plan.
Before you enroll or make a payment commitment, request Medi-Share's full guidelines document. This outlines exactly what is and is not covered, what waiting periods apply, and what your personal responsibility is for each type of care. Understanding these limits is critical because you cannot dispute coverage the way you can with insurance — Medi-Share's guidelines are the final word on what it will share.
How Medi-Share processes claims and reimburses members
When you receive medical care, you typically pay the provider out of pocket at the time of service. You then submit a claim to Medi-Share with documentation — usually an itemized bill from the provider and proof of payment. Medi-Share reviews the claim against its guidelines and determines whether it qualifies for sharing.
If the claim is approved, Medi-Share sends reimbursement directly to you or, in some cases, to the provider. The timeline for reimbursement varies but typically takes two to four weeks from the date Medi-Share receives a complete claim. If the claim is denied or partially denied, Medi-Share will explain the reason — usually that the expense falls outside the sharing guidelines or that you have not met a waiting period.
Unlike insurance, Medi-Share does not have a formal appeals process. If your claim is denied, you can contact member services to discuss the decision, but the organization's guidelines are not subject to negotiation or external review. This is an important distinction from health insurance, where state regulators oversee coverage disputes.
Comparing Medi-Share costs to traditional health insurance
Medi-Share's monthly share amounts are often lower than traditional health insurance premiums, especially for younger, healthier members. However, the total cost to you depends on what medical care you actually use and what Medi-Share covers versus what you pay out of pocket.
With traditional insurance, you pay a premium, a deductible, copays, and coinsurance — but the insurance company is legally required to cover certain services and has limits on your total out-of-pocket costs. With Medi-Share, you pay a share amount, but you may also pay the full cost of services that fall outside the sharing guidelines. There is no annual out-of-pocket maximum, which means your costs can exceed what you would pay with insurance if you need care that Medi-Share does not cover.
Before choosing Medi-Share over insurance, consider your health needs, your family's medical history, and whether the services you are likely to use are covered. If you have chronic conditions, take multiple medications, or anticipate significant medical expenses, traditional insurance may provide more predictable costs and broader coverage. If you are young and healthy and rarely use medical care, Medi-Share's lower monthly cost may be appealing — but you should understand that you are accepting more financial risk in exchange.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Medi-Share bill with a credit card?
Yes, you can pay by credit card through Medi-Share's online member portal or by calling member services. Some payment methods may incur a processing fee, so check with Medi-Share before you pay to understand any additional costs.
What should I do if I cannot afford my monthly share amount?
Contact Medi-Share's member services to discuss your situation. The organization does not offer hardship programs or payment plans in the way insurance companies do, but member services may be able to discuss options or explain how to switch to a lower-cost plan tier. If you cannot pay, your membership will be suspended.
Does Medi-Share report my payment history to credit bureaus?
Medi-Share is not a creditor and does not report payment history to credit bureaus. However, if your account becomes severely delinquent, Medi-Share may refer it to a collection agency, which can report to your credit report and affect your credit score.
Can I get a refund if I cancel my Medi-Share membership?
No. Your monthly share amount is not a deposit or premium that gets refunded — it goes into the shared pool to cover other members' medical expenses. If you cancel your membership, you forfeit any unused portion of your share amount.
What happens to my claims if I stop paying my share amount?
Medi-Share will suspend your membership and stop processing new claims. Claims you submitted before the suspension may still be processed, but this depends on when they were filed. Once your account is current, Medi-Share will resume processing claims going forward.