Health sharing fits people under 65 who are generally healthy, want lower monthly costs and the freedom to choose their doctors, and can handle an unshared amount if something big happens. It's a poor fit for anyone 65 or older, anyone with a major condition likely to need a hospital stay or surgery soon, and anyone who needs guaranteed acceptance or a plan that meets a state mandate.
Who tends to do well with health sharing
- Self-employed people, freelancers and small business owners paying full price for insurance
- Families who are generally healthy and want predictable copays for everyday visits
- Early retirees under 65 who earn too much for a large subsidy
- People who want to choose any doctor without referrals
- Anyone who missed open enrollment and needs a plan now
Who should choose insurance instead
- People 65 or older (Medicare is the right fit)
- Anyone with a major condition likely to need a hospital stay or surgery in the near term
- Anyone who is already pregnant and wants the pregnancy fully shared
- Anyone who needs guaranteed-issue acceptance under the ACA
- People in a state with an individual mandate that health sharing doesn't satisfy
We'd rather tell you this up front. A plan that doesn't fit your situation isn't a deal at any price.
How pre-existing conditions work
A pre-existing condition is anything you were diagnosed with, treated for, or had symptoms of during the lookback period before you joined. In ShareWELL, those conditions phase in:
| Stage | What is eligible |
|---|---|
| Waiting period | Limited sharing |
| Graduated sharing | Up to $25,000, increasing over time |
| After 24 continuous months | Up to $125,000 a year under the member guidelines |
| New conditions after you join | Eligible from day one |
Disclose everything when you enroll. Undisclosed conditions can lead to bills not being shared. If you cancel and rejoin later, the phase-in usually starts over.
Everyday care is different
The phase-in applies to health sharing, which handles big bills. In a MightyWELL plan, everyday benefits (preventive care at $0, set copays for doctor visits, $0 virtual urgent care, prescription savings) are a separate part of the plan from health sharing, so routine care stays at a predictable price. Your plan documents spell out the details.
Questions to ask yourself
- Could I pay $2,500 or $5,000 toward a large bill if I had to?
- Do I expect a surgery, hospital stay or pregnancy in the next year?
- Is my monthly premium the main reason I am looking?
- Do I want to keep seeing my own doctors?
If you answered yes, no, yes, yes, health sharing is worth a serious look. Compare it with ACA marketplace plans and see what it costs.
Common questions
Does health sharing cover pre-existing conditions?
Health sharing is not insurance and does not cover in the insurance sense. In ShareWELL, pre-existing conditions are phased in: a waiting period with limited sharing, graduated sharing up to $25,000, and up to $125,000 a year after 24 continuous months. New conditions are eligible from day one.
Is health sharing a good idea for a family?
It can be, for generally healthy families who want lower monthly costs and set copays for everyday care. Families expecting a baby soon or managing a serious condition should compare insurance carefully.
Is there an age limit?
MightyWELL individual plans are for primary members aged 18 to 64. At 65, Medicare is the better fit.
What if my bill is not shared?
Sharing is voluntary and not guaranteed. ShareWELL decides eligibility under its published member guidelines, and MightyWELL's concierge team helps members with bills, including negotiating prices down.
MightyWELL plans are not insurance. ShareWELL is a health care sharing community, not insurance, and sharing is not guaranteed. Prices are monthly estimates for the Concierge bundle; final pricing is confirmed at enrollment.
