HEALTH SHARING PLANS
Although there is not a direct relationship between CARES Direct Primary Care and insurance alternatives, many people use them effectively to help reduce their risk of medical expenses. Some of these programs even provide partial payments for the DPC fee because of the advantages of DPC. CARES DPC is not an insurance expert and cannot provide advice on these programs. However, we felt we should provide some avenues to information on these programs and their benefits and risks. Health sharing ministries are a way of sharing healthcare cost among a large group of members who have similar beliefs. Some meet the requirements to exempt one from the ACA (Obamacare) penalties for not having insurance.
For a more detailed explanation, go to Health Sharing in Wikipedia.
Consumer reports also has a good explanation of the benefits and risks of some of these programs.
An example of a broker that assist with Health Sharing Plans. You may find others.
⚕️ Health-Sharing Plans That Pair Well with Direct Primary Care (AI generated search and not an endorsement)
| Health-Sharing Plan | Overview | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Zion HealthShare | One of the most DPC-friendly options. Offers “Essential” memberships specifically designed for employers or individuals using Direct Primary Care. | zionhealthshare.org |
| Sedera Health | A popular, flexible sharing community that works well with DPC. Offers medical-need sharing for major or unexpected events. | sedera.com |
| Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM) | One of the oldest health-sharing ministries. Faith-based, with Bronze/Silver/Gold tiers and optional “Brother’s Keeper” catastrophic coverage. | chministries.org |
| Medi-Share | A Christian cost-sharing program known for strong member service and nationwide network. Good choice for faith-based small employers. | mychristiancare.org |
| Liberty HealthShare | A secular (non-religious) option with simple monthly pricing and broad acceptance. Members share costs directly through an online portal. | libertyhealthshare.org |
| Samaritan Ministries | Faith-based and community-oriented, with flexible sharing structures. Often chosen by small businesses wanting a strong Christian network. | samaritanministries.org |
| CrowdHealth | A newer, tech-driven model that combines health sharing with a crowdfunding approach. Members manage costs through an app; compatible with DPC. | joincrowdhealth.com |
| Knew Health | A non-religious wellness-focused community that pairs DPC, telemedicine, and catastrophic sharing into one package. | knewhealth.com |
In addition, there is at least one insurance program designed for direct primary care, https://atlas.direct/
Again, CARES DPC cannot provide specific advice and you should do your own research as to what is best for you.H