These savings freed up over $15,000 per year to apply to investments, other priorities, and some travel; delivering compounding wealth, financial security, and the peace of mind that comes with it.

Beyond the dollars and cents, Medi-Share has given us incredible flexibility. I’ve switched jobs multiple times without the stress of losing health coverage or scrambling for new insurance. No more being tied down by employer plans, true freedom in a world where health care costs can feel like an anchor.

Medi-Share partners with provider network First Health. When we head to the doctor, we pay a small provider fee upfront, and the bill gets routed through the network for significant discounts. From there, we pay the discounted amounts on medical bills until we reach our Annual Household Portion (AHP) for the year. Once that’s hit, any eligible expenses beyond it are shared directly among the Medi-Share community of members.

Over the last nine years, after applying those discounts, our out-of-pocket share of medical bills, for each year, usually fell between a few hundred and a few thousand dollars, varying with our usage. The one exception was a year involving minor surgery, where we met our Annual Household Portion (AHP), and then $21,622.32 was generously shared by fellow members.

Curious to dive deeper? Learn more about Medi-Share here and see if it’s a fit for your family.

Health Care Sharing Ministries have seen tremendous growth in recent years, with recent estimates indicating that around 1.5 million Americans are enrolled nationwide. According to an analysis by the Colorado Division of Insurance, this marks a dramatic increase from fewer than 200,000 participants before 2010, as more families seek affordable alternatives to traditional insurance.

Other Health Care Sharing Ministries: Impact Health Sharing, OneShare Health, Samaritan Ministries, Liberty HealthShare, Altrua HealthShare, Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM), netWell Healthshare, Sedera Health, United Refuah HealthShare and Zion HealthShare.

From 2008 through 2013, my business covered our family with a small group health plan featuring a $5,000 deductible, a health savings account, and 100% coverage after the deductible. It began at a manageable $565.13 per month and even dipped as low as $459.02 in 2010. But by 2012, things took a turn, our broker sent this eye-opening message:

“Under your current plan your maximum out of pocket is $5,000 and the premium is going from $479.67 to $736.21 which is $256.54 more than what you are currently paying.”

From there, costs spiraled out of control. I had two years where my employer footed the entire bill for family premiums exceeding $1,600 per month. Then, I gave a marketplace plan a shot for about six months, only to be let down by the steep costs and lackluster coverage. That’s when I made the switch to Medi-Share and I’ve never looked back.

To give you context, here’s a breakdown of the average monthly family plan premiums in North Carolina from 2016 to 2025, based on estimates for a plan with a $10,500 deductible. Keep in mind, NC has a strong preference for high-deductible health plans (HDHP) (66% of enrollees vs. 57% nationally), which helps keep averages a bit lower than the U.S. overall. However, with typical family deductibles around $3,988 (all plans) or $4,927 (HDHPs) per recent MEPS data, a $10,500 option qualifies as ultra-high-deductible territory.

And here’s the nitty-gritty on our nine-year journey – a detailed breakdown showing exactly how we racked up that $138,188.80 in savings. The first two years on Medi-share we had a $5,000 annual household portion, which is reflected in the higher rates those years.

If you’re tired of skyrocketing premiums and ready for a community-driven alternative that actually works, HCSMs like Medi-Share could be your game-changer. What’s been your experience with health care costs? Share in the comments below!