How health sharing works.

What is medical cost sharing?

Instead of paying an insurer a premium, members contribute monthly and share eligible medical expenses.

Health sharing, also called medical cost sharing, is a membership-based approach to managing eligible medical expenses. Members make a monthly contribution and participate in a community where eligible medical expenses are shared according to the applicable membership guidelines.

When a member has an eligible medical need, the expense is submitted for review. If it meets the requirements of the member’s selected membership, the community contributes toward the eligible expense according to those guidelines.

Members contribute. Members receive care. Eligible expenses are shared by the community.

Six steps from joining to sharing.

From choosing a membership to the community sharing an expense, here is how it works.

Choose your membership

Explore MPB Health membership options and choose the membership that fits your healthcare needs and priorities.

Contribute monthly

Make your monthly membership contribution based on the membership you've selected.

Get care when you need it

Visit the healthcare providers you choose and use the healthcare resources available through your membership.

Meet your IUA/MRA

This is the amount you are responsible for paying before eligible expenses can be shared. (IUA = Initial Unshareable Amount / MRA = Member Responsibility Amount)

Submit your medical expense

When you have a medical expense that may be eligible for sharing, submit the required information for review according to your membership guidelines.

The community shares

Eligible medical expenses are shared according to the rules and requirements of your membership.

What happens when you need care?

Receive care

Visit a provider as a cash pay patient and receive the care you need.

Submit your expenses in the MPB Health app

Provide the necessary documentation through the applicable MPB process.

Your expense is reviewed

The medical expense is reviewed according to the guidelines for your membership.

Your member responsibility is applied

Depending on your membership, you may have a member responsibility amount that applies before the community shares eligible expenses.

Eligible expenses are shared

Once the applicable requirements are met, eligible expenses are shared according to your membership guidelines.

*Please review your Membership Guidelines for full details and a clear understanding of which medical needs are eligible for sharing. Each membership has its own guidelines, available in the Member Handbook and inside the MPB Health app.

Understanding your member responsibility amount.

Also called an Initial Unshareable Amount (IUA)

Your membership may include a personal responsibility amount. Depending on the membership you choose, you may be responsible for a specified amount of an eligible medical need before the community begins sharing. The name and structure of this responsibility can vary by membership.

There is no one-size-fits-all member responsibility across MPB memberships.

What medical expenses can be shared?

Not every healthcare expense automatically qualifies for sharing. Eligibility is set by the Member Guidelines for your membership and can depend on: the type of medical service; the reason for the service; membership requirements; pre-membership conditions; waiting or phase-in provisions; applicable sharing maximums and exclusions; documentation and submission requirements.

Why this matters

Before joining, it’s important to understand what your selected membership does and does not provide for.

Preventive care and everyday healthcare.

Healthcare isn’t only about unexpected medical needs. Some MPB memberships include preventive care and other resources designed to help members take a proactive approach to their health.

Preventive care

Eligible preventive services and screenings.

HSA compatibility

Certain memberships are designed to be HSA-compatible.

Dental discounts

Discounted pricing on dental care.

Virtual care

Convenient access to virtual healthcare.

Behavioral health

Virtual behavioral health resources.

Prescription resources

Access to available prescription programs and resources.

Member support

Personalized guidance when navigating healthcare.

Health sharing vs. traditional insurance.

MPB Health memberships are not health insurance. MPB Health uses a voluntary medical cost sharing model. Members participate in a community that shares eligible medical expenses according to the applicable membership guidelines.

Why people choose MPB Health.

Community, choice and support, without the network telling you where to go.

Community-driven

Members participate in a community built around sharing eligible medical expenses.

Provider choice

Eligible members can seek care from licensed healthcare providers without traditional insurance network restrictions, subject to applicable membership requirements.

Convenient virtual care

Access virtual healthcare resources available through your membership.

Eligible memberships include access to preventive care resources.

Get personalized support navigating your healthcare membership.

Transparent guidelines

Understand how eligible medical expenses are handled through clearly defined membership guidelines.

Frequently asked questions

What is health sharing?

Health sharing is a membership-based approach to managing eligible medical expenses in which members contribute monthly and participate in a community that shares eligible expenses according to membership guidelines.

How does health sharing work?

Members make monthly contributions, receive healthcare, and submit eligible medical expenses for review. Expenses that meet the applicable membership guidelines may be shared by the member community.

Is health sharing the same as health insurance?

No. Health sharing is not health insurance. MPB Health uses a voluntary medical cost sharing model governed by membership guidelines rather than an insurance policy.

Does MPB Health pay for medical expenses?

MPB Health is not insurance and does not guarantee payment of medical expenses. Eligible medical expenses may be shared among members according to the guidelines of the selected membership.

Do I have to use a specific doctor or hospital?

Provider requirements vary by membership and service. MPB Health memberships can provide broad provider choice, while certain services, such as applicable preventive care, may have network requirements.

What is an IUA or MRA?

An IUA (Initial Unshareable Amount) or MRA (Member Responsibility Amount) is the amount the member must pay before eligible medical expenses are shared, depending on the membership. The specific amount and rules vary by membership.

Does MPB Health include preventive care?

Some MPB Health memberships include preventive care resources. Available services and requirements vary by membership.

Can I use an HSA with an MPB Health membership?

Certain MPB Health memberships are designed to be HSA-compatible. HSA eligibility and tax treatment depend on applicable requirements, so members should consult a qualified tax professional regarding their individual circumstances.

Where can I find the full rules for my membership?

The applicable Member Guidelines provide the detailed rules, requirements, eligible expenses, limitations, and member responsibilities for each membership.