Canton, Ohio, October 6th / PRNewswire / — As medical costs in the United States continue to rise, Liberty HealthShare ® indicates that the company is enhancing its member sharing program for the third consecutive year.
Starting from January 1, 2027, this non-profit medical sharing organization will reduce the Co-Share share of medical costs for the Liberty Connect project from 10% to 5%, and also reduce the Co-Share share of Liberty Essential from 20% to 10%.
The company stated that this means the co-payment ratio for members of both projects will be halved; when members incur eligible medical expenses due to major medical needs, the amount that is not covered could be reduced by several thousand dollars, or even tens of thousands of dollars.
Liberty HealthShare CEO Dorsey Morrow stated: "Medical affordability does not solely depend on how much a person pays each month. Families also need to know that they can afford medical services when they truly need them. By reducing these Co-Share by half, we provide members with more opportunities to share the costs of their medical bills."
The company stated that these reductions continue its commitment to lowering member costs. In recent years, the organization has lowered the monthly subscription fees, reduced Liberty Connect and Liberty Essential by Co-Share, and brought the annual unamortized amount of Liberty Assist down to $0.
This adjustment comes at a time of rising healthcare costs across the United States. Employers expect healthcare costs to increase by 8.2% in 2027, representing the largest increase in over two decades; meanwhile, insurance companies participating in the Affordable Healthcare Act (_ACA) market have proposed an average national premium increase of 15%.
The company stated that these pressures will affect consumers in two ways: firstly, through higher monthly costs, and secondly, through greater out-of-pocket expenses when utilizing medical services.
Morrow said, "We've heard many people complain that they can afford their monthly medical expenses, but they're worried about what might happen if they face major medical needs. Our goal is to make members' medical costs more affordable and more predictable."
The company provides an example: if a member with a Liberty Essential membership has a Co-Share contribution rate of 20%, and after meeting the applicable annual unsubscribed amount (AUA), they incur $100,000 in eligible expenses, then they would still need to pay $20,000 after receiving the member sharing benefit; however, under the new 10% Co-Share contribution rate, this amount would be reduced to $10,000 with the support of the available SharePower. Similarly, for members with a Liberty Connect membership, reducing the Co-Share contribution rate from 10% to 5% would mean that they could receive an additional $5,000 in member sharing benefits on $100,000 in eligible medical expenses.*
Liberty HealthShare indicates that the company's ability to make these adjustments reflects its continuous and effective management of medical costs, as well as its responsible management of the member community.
Morrow said, "In medical sharing, every member plays a role. When members make informed medical decisions and we successfully manage and negotiate medical costs, the entire sharing community benefits. For the third consecutive year, we have been able to translate this management into lower member costs, despite the ongoing rise in medical costs across the United States."
About Liberty HealthShare
Liberty HealthShare is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Christian medical cost-sharing organization where members help each other when needed. This faith-based initiative promotes health sharing among members, creating a community of individuals and families that care for one another and prioritize health. They choose to support each other and follow the Christian values of stewardship responsibility to make healthcare more affordable.
Liberty HealthShare offers six types of medical cost-sharing programs, aimed at providing a more affordable alternative to health insurance for Christian individuals and families. The recommended monthly contribution ranges from $87 per person to $362, with families starting at $319. Most programs also include access to emergency care and remote mental health services, as well as discounts on prescription medications.
As a medical sharing organization rather than an insurance provider, Liberty HealthShare allows registration throughout the year without requiring any qualifying life events. For more information, please visit LibertyHealthShare.org or call (855) 585-4237.
Liberty HealthShare is not an insurance company, nor is it provided through an insurance company. The sharing project of Liberty HealthShare does not guarantee or promise that members' medical bills will be paid or allocated for payment by others. Whether someone chooses to pay a member's medical bills is entirely voluntary. Therefore, the sharing project of Liberty HealthShare should never be regarded as a substitute for an insurance policy. Regardless of whether members receive any payment for medical expenses, and regardless of whether Liberty HealthShare continues to operate, members are always responsible for any unpaid bills.
* The examples are for illustrative purposes only, and it is assumed that the fees meet the sharing criteria, subject to the Co-Share constraints applicable under the Liberty HealthShare sharing guidelines. The actual amount that members need to pay when they do not have the opportunity for member sharing depends on the project rules and the specific circumstances of their personal medical needs.
