Health Care Sharing Ministry/Sharing Group Plans

Members of a health care sharing ministry (also known as HCSMs, or “sharing groups”) contribute toward paying the medical expenses of other members of the ministry, either by sending payments directly to others or through making monthly payments to the central organization which then sends payments. The two largest sharing groups in Washington are Samaritan Ministries and Medi-Share.

Sharing groups are not recognized as insurance. This means we will bill you for care and you are responsible for following your sharing group process to make sure the group, or you, sends timely payment for your bills. There are several important things you should know before relying on a sharing plan to fund your child’s care.

• Many health care sharing ministries will not cover medical expenses for pre-existing conditions, including complications due to a premature birth or from a condition a child is born with, like a heart defect. In addition, health care sharing groups usually do not have the funds needed to cover large medical bills for surgeries, cancer care, organ transplantation or inpatient admissions. It is your responsibility to confirm what your group will and will not pay for.
• If you choose to only rely on a sharing group to pay for care at Seattle Children’s and you also qualify for Seattle Children’s Financial Assistance, also known as charity care, funds received from your sharing group need to first be paid to Seattle Children’s Hospital and any remaining balance you owe will be processed under Financial Assistance. Seattle Children’s Financial Assistance is secondary to health care sharing ministry payments.
• Navigating health care costs can be confusing, but you don't have to do it alone. Our Financial Counseling team is here to help you. They can walk you through your options and help you apply for health insurance coverage that may better fit your needs. Please don't hesitate to reach out; we want to make sure you have the support you need to focus on your health. Call our team at 206-987-3333, email [email protected] or visit our information page on this site at Financial Assistance at Seattle Children's.