Healthcare sharing ministries serve at least 1.7 million Americans according to recent data published by Colorado regulators, representing a significant shift in how individuals finance medical expenses. Liberty HealthShare, established in 1995 as a ministry of the Gospel Light Mennonite Church, has facilitated the sharing of nearly $5 billion in eligible, repriced medical expenses since 2014.
Prospective members evaluating the ministry should understand nine critical aspects of membership that distinguish healthcare sharing from insurance coverage.
1. Year-Round Enrollment Without Qualifying Events
Unlike health insurance plans requiring special enrollment periods, the ministry accepts new members throughout the year. Liberty HealthShare allows sign-up anytime without waiting for open enrollment or qualifying life events such as marriage, birth, or job loss.
“We’ve got a number of programs so that somebody can select whatever works best for their family,” explains Chief Executive Officer Dorsey Morrow. “With the healthcare sharing ministry and Liberty HealthShare in particular, you can join our membership, and if you determine it doesn’t work for you, you’re not locked into it.”
This flexibility extends to program modifications. Members can switch between programs during the 60-day membership change period leading up to their membership anniversary without annual commitments.
2. Six Program Options with Varied Share Amounts
The ministry offers six different medical sharing programs tailored to diverse situations and budgets. Suggested monthly share amounts for individuals range from $87 to $362. Families of four can participate starting at $319 per month.
Liberty Rise features a suggested monthly sharing contribution of $99 following a 19% reduction implemented in May 2025. Liberty Assist reduced its Annual Unshared Amount by two-thirds to $500, further lowering out-of-pocket expenses for members. Recent program enhancements included a 25% increase in wellness visit expenses eligible for sharing effective July 1, 2025.
Supplemental programs include dental sharing with suggested monthly costs beginning at $35 and vision sharing starting at $7 for individuals, $13 for couples, and $25 for families of four.
3. Annual Unshared Amounts Function Differently Than Deductibles
Members encounter Annual Unshared Amounts that operate differently than insurance deductibles. These amounts vary by program, ranging from $500 to higher thresholds depending on program selection.
However, unlike insurance deductibles that trigger contractual payment obligations, Annual Unshared Amounts represent thresholds before eligible expenses can be submitted for voluntary sharing consideration.
4. ShareBox Portal Manages Submissions and Tracking
Members access ShareBox, a secure online portal, for managing healthcare expenses and tracking voluntary contributions. The platform allows members to submit medical bills, communicate with the Care Navigation team, and view how monthly shares assist fellow members.
Brenna Ortner described her ShareBox experience as “easy to use to submit bills” and “send in questions.” The portal provides transparency into the sharing process, showing members exactly how their contributions support others in the community.
5. Sharing Remains Voluntary, Not Guaranteed
Liberty HealthShare emphasizes it is not insurance and does not guarantee medical bill payment. “Liberty HealthShare’s Sharing Programs do not guarantee or promise that a member’s medical bills will be paid or assigned to others for payment,” the ministry’s website states. “Whether anyone chooses to pay a member’s medical bills will be totally voluntary.”
Members remain liable for unpaid medical expenses regardless of sharing program participation. This fundamental difference from insurance requires members to understand they cannot rely on state insurance commissioners to handle grievances or enforce payment obligations.
6. Monthly Contributions Support Current Members’ Needs
The ministry operates without reserves or unallocated contributions. Each month’s incoming payments must address that month’s eligible medical expenses. This approach differs fundamentally from insurance companies that maintain reserves and calculate premiums to cover projected future claims.
“We are not driven by profit. It’s frankly our goal to go broke each month,” Morrow explains. ” After deducting a small percentage to operate the ministry, the contributions coming in should be the contributions that go out.”
The organization studies current and historical sharing patterns monthly while forecasting trends to set suggested monthly share amounts. Approximately 160 team members facilitate the sharing process nationwide.
7. Faith and Community Connection Form Foundation
Prayer support forms a fundamental part of operations. Staff distribute member prayer requests every Friday, allowing team members to pray for those facing health challenges. This spiritual dimension provides additional support during difficult health journeys.
“We have a list that is distributed internally every Friday of prayer requests from our members,” Morrow shares. “Whether it’s with the member or for the member, we are about prayer. We strongly believe in that here.”
Lynn Martelli is an editor at Readability. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University and has worked as an editor for over 10 years. Lynn has edited a wide variety of books, including fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, and more. In her free time, Lynn enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family and friends.
