Frequently asked questions

No. Health care sharing ministries are not insurance and are not regulated as insurance in most states — members voluntarily share each other's medical bills, with no legal guarantee that any bill will be paid, and many programs exclude pre-existing conditions.

A fixed indemnity plan pays you a set, scheduled amount for a covered event — like a hospital admission or a doctor visit — regardless of the actual bill, and it is not a substitute for major medical coverage.

No — an HSA requires an HSA-eligible high-deductible health plan (HDHP); contributions are tax-advantaged and funds can be used for qualified medical expenses at any time.

Short-term health plans are meant to bridge gaps and have limited terms and renewal rules that vary by state, so check the policy for its maximum duration and whether renewal is guaranteed.

Critical illness insurance pays a lump-sum benefit if you're diagnosed with a covered condition, such as cancer, heart attack or stroke, that you can use for any purpose, including costs a sharing plan or high-deductible plan won't cover.

No. Direct primary care is a monthly membership for primary care access, not insurance, and most members pair it with a sharing plan, HDHP or other coverage for hospitalization and specialty care.

No. Medical discount cards and dental or vision discount plans are membership programs that provide negotiated discounts, not insurance, and they don't guarantee any payment toward your care.