Universal HealthShare Programs

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Universal Healthshare
By Mike Montes, – Updated 1/21/2024
Reviewed by Christine Corsini – Fact checked by Whitney Kline

Healthcare cost sharing, commonly known as healthshare programs, are a low-cost alternative to traditional insurance. Every year, more Americans are making the switch to healthshare programs, and Universal Healthshare is leading the way.

Universal Health Fellowship (UHF) is a non-profit health care sharing ministry. The most popular program they offer is the Prosper plan, which is detailed on its own page.

This guide takes a closer look at Universal Healthshare statements of belief, hospital networks, and pre-existing conditions rules. Please visit the Prosper page for details on how this plan shares medical expenses.

[New to Healthcare Cost Sharing? Click Here for a more in-depth explanation of how Healthshare works]

Medical Cost Sharing Programs from Universal Health Fellowship

Universal HealthShare has up to seven different sharing programs to choose from. Each program has a unique monthly sharing amount, as well as a specific Non-Shareable Amount (NSA). The NSA is the amount that the member must pay each year before medical costs become eligible for sharing, with some exceptions as noted in the UHF Guidelines.

There are a number of exceptions to the member NSA, which include some primary care, urgent care, and specialist care visits. Instead, members pay a one-time consultation fee for each eligible visit.  The office visit charge is shared and members are responsible for any out of pocket charges until the NSA is satisfied.  

Once the NSA is satisfied the members Co-Share is used to determine how eligible medical charges are paid.  Please refer to UHF Guidelines for details.

All Universal HealthShare members also have access to:

Universal Healthshare Telemedicine

24/7 telemedicine with $0 fee

includes the entire family whether they are a member or not

Doctors Visit

Annual routine doctor’s office visit

 this along with Member wellness and prevention programs are limited to $500 per year per member.

Universal Healthshare Wellness Program

Member wellness and prevention programs

Expand Your Universal HealthShare Benefits with HSA MEC

Complement your Universal HealthShare coverage with the HSA MEC, brought to you by HSA for America. This HSA-qualified, preventive-only plan is tailored to augment your Universal HealthShare plan, offering extensive tax advantages and enriching your healthcare savings.

Advantages of Universal HealthShare with HSA MEC:

  • Tax Savings: Enjoy impressive tax deductions and tax-free growth on your investments.
  • Optimal Investment Opportunities: Benefit from HSAs’ top tax-favored investment capabilities.
  • Global Medical Use: Employ your tax-free savings for any healthcare need, anywhere.

Leverage the full benefits of your Universal HealthShare plan with HSA MEC.

Universal HealthShare Statement of Shared Faith and Beliefs

While some health sharing programs require that members sign a strict statement of faith, there is no such requirement with Universal Healthshare. Instead, members voluntarily agree to a Statement of Shared Faith and Beliefs.

The statement is composed of seven tenets, which include belief in spiritual growth, healthcare independence, peace, compassion, community building, and duty towards family and community members, among others. You can view them in the Universal HealthShare Guidelines.

Universal Healthshare Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does Universal Healthshare work?

A: When a member has an emergency or a medical encounter, they are free to visit a provider anytime but their program may or may not share the expenses.  

Most of the programs have a list of eligible medical expenses, waiting periods, pre-existing limitations and members must satisfy their program’s. Non-Shareable Amount (NSA) before cost-sharing is available. After the NSA is satisfied, the member’s hospital expenses can be shared up to the plan’s medical incident limit and annual limit.

In Most cases,  hospitals will accept a Universal HealthShare Membership Card, and will then submit the expenses directly to Universal Health Fellowship.  A smaller number of providers may choose to treat the member as a cash-paying patient. In this case, the member’s eligible medical expenses can be submitted directly to Universal HealthShare to determine the eligibility of the services and available reimbursements.  

Always keep in mind, in most cases, a member must satisfy their NSA first prior to sharing. Members must notify UHF for all scheduled hospital procedures. 

UHF also has a special team  to help you navigate the challenges of the healthcare system and support your use of UHF health programs. If you are anticipating a surgery they can help you solicit up to 3 hospital quotes, as well as help you apply for any available financial aid.

For non-emergency medical needs, members can use telemedicine or they can visit  a physician or urgent care facility subject to waiting periods and their program’s NSA).

Q: Which hospitals and providers can I use with Universal Healthshare?

A: Universal Health Fellowship uses no network for hospitalization. 

Universal HealthShare members can use any hospital in the continental U.S. for emergency care and inpatient hospitalization.  However,  the member must pre-notify Universal HealthShare before hospital admission in advance, except for emergencies. For physician, urgent care, and specialist visits UHS uses the Multiplan. PHCS Physician and Ancillary network, which has over 700,000 locations nationwide. You can access the provider search here.

Q: Do Universal HealthShare members share for pre-existing conditions?

A: Yes, but with a one-year waiting period and in most cases a 36 month look back period prior to enrollment . 

During the second and third year of membership, pre-existing conditions are eligible for sharing up to $50,000. On the fourth membership year, the condition is no longer considered pre-existing and is eligible for full sharing up to program limits.

Q: How much does Universal HealthShare cost?

A: Universal HealthShare programs start at around $186 per month. Your actual monthly sharing amount will depend on which specific sharing program you enroll in. Remember: The program with the lowest monthly rate is not always the most affordable overall, especially if you expect to use your sharing program.

Q: Is Universal HealthShare available in my state?

A: Universal HealthShare is available in 39 states. It is not available in Alaska, Connecticutt, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine,  Maryland, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Washington, or any U.S. territories.

Ready to Enroll in a Universal Healthshare Plan?

Visit the Prosper Healthshare page. There you will see details of how the Universal Prosper plan works. Click the Enroll Now button, where you can get an instant quote and sign up for membership!


Universal Healthshare Reviews

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4.1
Rated 4.1 out of 5
4.1 out of 5 stars (based on 7 reviews)
5 star57%
4 star15%
3 star14%
2 star14%
1 star0%

Budget-friendly and Straightforward

Rated 5.0 out of 5
December 10, 2023

As a middle-aged parent, finding the right health coverage is crucial, and Universal HealthShare Programs has exceeded our expectations. The straightforward enrollment process and the budget-friendly nature of their health share plan have made it a perfect fit for our family. The peace of mind that comes with knowing we have a reliable and supportive healthcare community is invaluable. The regular communication and updates keep us in the loop, and the customer service has been top-notch. A solid 5-star rating for a health share program that truly prioritizes its members’ well-being.

Colton Martin OK

Very happy with my Universal healhshare plan!

Rated 5.0 out of 5
October 16, 2023

First, it saves us almost half compared to regular insurance. Second, it covers preventive care. Third, there was no open enrollment period. I was able to buy Universal for my family when I was ready, not because government told me I had to buy within a certain window. And unlike my previous group health plan, I can choose any hospital now.

When my wife had to go to the ER for a severe kidney infection, Universal came through and shared everything above our non-sharable amount, just as promised.

Jenny K

Great for independent business owners!

Rated 4.0 out of 5
July 12, 2023

We saved hundreds every month by going with Universal! It’s a godsend for people like me: I’m an independent business owner: I run a dogwalking practice and drive uber at night.

They do have a network you have to use except for emergencies, but it’s pretty big (Multiplan PHCS) so I haven’t had trouble finding doctors in network to treat me. I like RxSimpleShare, too since I take multiple medications.

Vilma R
Verified

Great help with prescription drugs

Rated 5.0 out of 5
January 8, 2023

I was getting hammered by prescription drug costs. Then my HSA For America broker suggested Universal Healthshare’s RXSimpleShare program. They share prescription drug costs up to $500 a month. I have to pay $25/month and $5 per prescription which is a screaming deal compared to what I had to pay out of pocket before, even with insurance. Thanks, Universal!

Bob A
Verified

Universal healthshare is working great for us!

Rated 5.0 out of 5
November 8, 2022

I like being part of an organization like Universal Healthshare because they expect members to live a healthy lifestyle. That keeps costs low for everyone. I want people to get the help they need but I don’t want to subsidize drug addiction and alcohol abuse. Universal Healthshare makes everyone commit to drinking only in moderation, abstain from drug abuse, and exercise regularly.

Thanks to those screens, my family is saving almost 500 a month compared to what I would have had to pay in COBRA. And their prescription drug sharing plan is awesome too.

Albert F
Verified

Not worth it

Rated 2.0 out of 5
October 27, 2022

If you’re considering trying to save money on health insurance and going with a Universal Health Share plan, don’t do it!!! You will still pay them a large monthly premium and be out of pocket for everything else!

Marlane S
Verified

The good and the bad

Rated 3.0 out of 5
September 19, 2022

I found out that most doctors have never heard of Universal Healthshare, and don’t even realize that they take it. That’s because the network isn’t called Universal Healthshare. It’s called “MultiPlan/PHCS.” That caused us problems when we called ahead to verify. Once we figured that out the plan worked as intended. So 5 stars for the plan, 1 stars for the communications aspect with physicians

Bonnie R
Verified
 

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