Q&A With Impact Health Sharing - Your Most Asked Questions Are Answered!
IS IMPACT HEALTH SHARING INSURANCE?
No, Impact Health Sharing is not insurance, and Healthcare Sharing is an alternative to health insurance where like-minded individuals share in each other's medical bills. Bills are shared directly between members through individual bank accounts through distributed reserves.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HEALTHCARE SHARING AND HEALTH INSURANCE?
Insurance is a contract between a policyholder and a for-profit insurance company. With that option, you contract to pay expensive insurance premiums in exchange for their promise to pay your medical bills. Healthcare sharing is a voluntary, not-for-profit concept where millions of Americans connect through technology to share and pay each other's medical bills. There is no contract, no guarantee, and no promise to pay. In the early 80s, Americans began to turn to healthcare sharing as an alternative to the high cost of insurance. Today, it has grown into an industry that shares approximately $3 billion per year.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR IMPACT MEMBERSHIP?
Our membership comprises like-minded individuals, families, and small businesses who agree with the Statement of Shared Beliefs & Ethics. There are no restrictions based on race, color, religion, or creed.
CAN I JOIN ANYTIME OR IS THERE AN ENROLLMENT PERIOD?
There is no limit on when you can apply. You can choose which month you want your membership to begin.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
We have great news, Impact is much more affordable than traditional insurance. The monthly cost is based on the age of the oldest person in your household, the number of people applying, and the primary responsibility amount you choose. Visit https://www.impacthealthsharing.com/pricing to see your options.
You will notice that there are dramatic savings over ACA Plans (Obamacare) and greater value than other health sharing programs. Prices start at $73/mo. for singles and $378/mo. for families.
DO YOU ACCEPT PEOPLE WITH PREEXISTING CONDITIONS?
Preexisting Medical Conditions are conditions in which treatment, symptoms, or diagnosis occurred 36 months before membership. A Pre-existing Medical Condition is eligible for sharing after the condition has gone 36 consecutive months without symptoms or treatment before membership.
Treatment includes:
- Care or services
- Diagnostic measures
- Prescribed drugs or medications
- High blood pressure or high cholesterol controlled through medication will not be considered a pre-existing medical condition to determine eligibility for future vascular or cardiac events.
The pre-existing medical condition limitations do not apply to members 65 years and older.
IS THERE A DEDUCTIBLE?
Since Impact Health Sharing isn't insurance, there isn't a per-person deductible; rather, there is a Primary Responsibility Amount (PRA) per household. The PRA is the annual household amount that you pay before your eligible medical bills are published for sharing. There are five options to choose from: $1,000 (65 years and older only), $2,500, $5,000, $7,500, and $10,000.
WHAT ABOUT PREVENTATIVE CARE?
Wellness visits/screening tests are eligible for sharing as follows:
- One annual/well visit for members 6 years and older per membership year. Includes a $150 allowance for the following routine labs as ordered by the provider during the annual wellness visit.
- Complete Blood Count with Differential and Platelets
- Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
- Lipid Profile with Lipoprotein Particle Assessment
- Hemoglobin A1C
- Vitamin D-25 OH
- C-Reactive Protein
- Fecal Occult Blood Test
- Pap Smear
- PSA
Members under the age of 6 receive one annual visit. Additional visits will follow routine well-child guidelines. Infants and Children: Sharing for routine well-child care is eligible until the child reaches the age of six. Well-child care is defined as recommended routine check-ups and associated lab work, excluding vaccinations and/or immunizations.
Women: Pap smear test—once every three years from age 21-65.
Mammogram—one every year for ages 45-54, every two years starting at age 55.
Men: PSA test—one every year, starting at age 45.
All: Colonoscopy—one every 10 years starting at age 45 or one every five years for high-risk members.
All: As it pertains to eligible preventive care for both men and women, both the test and coordinated office visit will be eligible for sharing.
Infants and children: Sharing for routine well-child care is eligible until the child reaches the age of six. Well-child care is defined as recommended routine check-ups and associated lab work, excluding vaccinations and/or immunizations.
IF I AM 65 YEARS OLD OR OLDER, HOW DOES IMPACT WORK WITH MEDICARE?
Impact for Seniors simplifies the healthcare experience.
- No Provider fees.
- No Co-share.
- No Preexisting limitations.
Here are a few things to know:
If you are 65 or older, you must have Medicare Parts A & B to join Impact.
Impact is always secondary to Medicare Parts A & B. One great thing about this is that there are no preexisting condition restrictions or provider fees for Impact members with Medicare.
You are welcome to use your member card to access the pass-through direct pricing on prescriptions. One thing to note, for prescription costs to be eligible for sharing, members must have Medicare Part D as well.
All sharing will be secondary to Medicare. Only one PRA level is available to these senior adults (see pricing calculator at https://www.impacthealthsharing.com/pricing). This program is available only on an individual membership basis.
The PRA for senior adults is $1000 with no provider fees, no co-share, and no preexisting limitations.
CAN I USE MY OWN DOCTOR?
Impact does not use a Provider Network; therefore, you can continue to use the doctors and hospitals of your choice, including specialists. Watch this video for more information on using Impact Health Sharing at any provider.
To get answers to the rest of your questions, visit our Help Center or read our Membership Guidelines.
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