What do we do about health care? We use Liberty HealthShare

Like most early retirees, the question that we get asked the most is about whether or not we use traditional insurance plans. It's an important question...after all, spending on health care represents a huge chunk of early retirement spending. That's exactly why we decided to use Liberty HealthShare.

According to this study by The Commonwealth Fund, health care spending is eating up more than 10% of people's incomes each and every year. That's huge if you're working a full-time job, but it's more significant than that if you no longer have all that cash rolling in every month.

So how do we manage our health care as retirees?

Liberty Healthshare is not health "insurance", but it is exempt from Obamacare (thus, no penalties!).

Quick health check: I almost never go to the doctor. I work out routinely and lead a healthy life. We eat healthy meals without a lot of meat, fat, and carbs at home. Occasional drinks. Last blood test returned perfectly normal. For the most part, I don't need much in the way of insurance. My wife used to suffer from migraines, but she is also as active and healthy as I am.

Also, health shares are becoming incredibly popular among full-time RVers. The flexibility offered by health shares far exceed those of traditional profit-based health insurance providers.

In fact, it hardly even compares.

But, that doesn't mean health shares will work well for everybody.

What is a health share?

The most important thing to note about health shares is that they are completely different than the traditional health insurance plans that you are probably used to.

More or less, it's a group of relatively healthy people who are sharing medical costs. Monthly dues for health care coverage are all pooled together and collectively fund the health care costs of those who are members of the health share. Health share services are about as straightforward as anything I've seen in the healthcare industry.

Liberty HealthShare - like most health shares, happens to be a non-profit organization, which means revenue is not the predominant factor in health services for its members. However, they aren't required to cover medical expenses, either. We'll go into further detail regarding eligible medical bills and coverage guidelines below.

Here's a quick comparison of the differences between Liberty Healthshare and a traditional medical insurance plan.

Why Liberty HealthShare?

I hate health insurance.

In fact, I hate insurance in general. The insurance industry is a huge money-maker for large corporations in the United States, and there's a reason for that.

Thankfully, we have USAA for our car insurance - which helps to ease the psychological burden of maintaining insurance, but with health care, we didn't want to touch the whole "Marketplace" thing if we could avoid it...even with subsidies.

Healthcare is also more difficult for full-time RVers, like us. Most traditional health insurance companies won't cover health costs once you leave your home state. While we do maintain a home address, we won't actually be at that address the large majority of the time. We're travelers, damnit.

Traditional health insurance plans just doesn't work for us. It's too restrictive and much too expensive for full-time travelers like us.

That is where health shares fill the void.

The health share process is actually pretty easy. If you incur a medical expense, you submit a claim straight to the health share. Done. It doesn't matter where in the United States you are or what healthcare providers treated you.

The downside of health shares

While health share programs can be quite a bit cheaper and more flexible than traditional medical insurance plans, they also aren't governed by the same laws that insurance companies operate under. This means that you won't have "full coverage" in the sense that you might typically be used to. It's very important to note that health shares are under no legal obligation to cover your medical care expenses.

In addition, most require their members to abide by certain ethical rules - such as no smoking or excessive drinking, illegal drugs, etc. And if you're skydiving and hurt yourself, they probably won't cover those types of expenses. If you are engaging in selective (read: optional) activity that increases your chances of huge healthcare costs, health shares may not cover you.

Does Liberty cover pre-existing conditions?

Liberty has a rule in place where it does not cover pre-existing conditions for the first year after your acceptance to the program. My wife used to suffer from migraines, which is a pre-existing condition. Liberty HealthShare will not cover migraine-specific treatment for the first year. While not ideal, I can at least appreciate the fact that we know that upfront.

Health share providers aren't required to accept you. If you are overweight or lead an unhealthy lifestyle, you may not be a candidate for membership. That's just the way it is, and this helps to keep costs down for all the members who are cost sharing.

Members pay a fraction of the price for the exclusive benefits of health shares because its members are healthy and relatively risk-averse.

Do I need to be a religious fanatic to be in a healthshare?

The short answer is no, you don't need to be an active church-going soul who believes in strict religious principles - at least for Liberty. There are some health sharing ministries that ARE fairly strict with their required belief system, but Liberty isn't one of them.

That's probably why Liberty seems to be one of the fastest growing health share providers among RVers that we've spoken with.

Liberty HealthShare is a simple solution for us.

And, we like simple.

How much do we pay for this service?

We signed up for Liberty's "Complete" service account, which covers 100% of eligible medical bills up to $1,000,000 per incident as the share amount.

As a couple, our Liberty Healthshare pricing is $399 / month which covers health-care coverage for both of us. We also paid a $135 signup fee upon acceptance into the program. The plan requires a $1,750 Annual Unshared Amount, which is Liberty's way of describing out-of-pocket expenses.

There is no such thing as "in-network" doctors with health shares. For our $399 / month, we can go to any doctor at any hospital - a requirement for those of us who travel. The ability to choose from any of the health care providers that we want while we're on the road provides us tremendous peace of mind.

And, the monthly dues we pay represent a microscopic amount compared to what we'd pay with traditional health insurance as full-time travelers. For us, choosing a health share isn't just a good choice, it's the best option.

Apparently, it was a no-brainer for Michelle and her husband Wes at Making Sense of Cents, too.

Why is it referred to as a healthsharing ministry?

Liberty Healthshare does have some standards, beliefs, and lifestyle guidelines that are rooted in Christian values. Most of these standards pertain directly to living a healthy lifestyle that isn't detrimental to your physical health.

Check out their "Do I Qualify?" page for more on how Liberty runs their ethical rules and system of beliefs.

Even with these guidelines, Liberty HealthShare was a clear winner for us. It enables us to maintain our mobile lifestyle with health protections at a reasonable cost. It also lets us avoid the whole Affordable Care Act and open enrollment thing and the uncertainty around what it might look like down the road.

Are you suggesting that everybody should sign up for a health share?

Absolutely, positively not.

Everybody's needs will be different. Some of us need more health care than others. Many have preexisting conditions. Others need the assurance that their insurance company are legally-obligated to cover certain procedures.

Heck, some of you might resist health shares based on their religious associations (my wife and I are NOT religious).

I completely understand - cost sharing won't work for everybody, and that's okay.

For my wife and me as full-time travelers, it works for us, but you'll need to make up your own mind about what will work for you.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is Liberty HealthShare and how does it differ from traditional health insurance?

Liberty HealthShare is a non-profit organization that facilitates the sharing of healthcare costs among its members, who are typically healthier individuals committed to living a healthy lifestyle. Unlike traditional health insurance, Liberty HealthShare does not operate under the same legal obligations to cover medical expenses, and its members share medical costs directly through pooled monthly dues. This system allows for more flexibility and often lower costs, particularly for people with lifestyles that traditional insurance may not accommodate well, such as full-time RVers.

Who is eligible to join Liberty HealthShare, and are there restrictions on pre-existing conditions?

Membership eligibility for Liberty HealthShare generally requires individuals to lead a healthy lifestyle, free from smoking, excessive drinking, and illegal drug use. Pre-existing conditions are not covered for the first year of membership. This policy, along with other health and lifestyle guidelines, helps keep costs manageable for all members by ensuring they are relatively risk-averse and healthy.

Can Liberty HealthShare be used anywhere in the United States, and are there any network restrictions?

Yes, Liberty HealthShare members can seek treatment from any healthcare provider across the United States. There are no network restrictions, making this an attractive option for those who travel frequently, such as full-time RVers. This flexibility is a significant advantage over traditional health insurance plans, which often have strict network limitations.

What are the costs associated with joining Liberty HealthShare, and what do they cover?

As a couple, the cost for Liberty HealthShare's "Complete" service account is $399 per month, plus a $135 signup fee. This plan covers 100% of eligible medical bills up to $1,000,000 per incident, with a $1,750 Annual Unshared Amount (out-of-pocket expense). These costs are significantly lower compared to traditional health insurance, especially for full-time travelers who would not benefit from in-network provider discounts.

Do I need to follow a specific religion to join Liberty HealthShare?

No, while Liberty HealthShare operates with Christian values and encourages a healthy lifestyle, you do not need to be actively religious or adhere to strict religious principles to become a member. The organization is one of the health share providers that accommodate a wider range of beliefs, making it a popular choice among diverse groups, including RVers who value the flexibility and community aspect of health sharing.