Universal HealthShare Programs
Get an Instant Online Quote!
By Mike Montes, – Updated 1/27/2023
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 offering seven different sharing programs. This guide takes a closer look at plan options, monthly cost, additional member features, and more.
[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:
24/7 telemedicine with $0 fee
includes the entire family whether they are a member or not
Annual routine doctor’s office visit
this along with Member wellness and prevention programs are limited to $500 per year per member.
Member wellness and prevention programs
UHS SmartShare – An Even More Affordable HealthShare Plan
UHS SmartShare is designed for members who want to keep their costs even lower. This program offers more limited cost sharing, but also has the lowest monthly sharing amount. Eligible Medical bills are shared with fixed-fee amounts, and have lower annual sharing limits.
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?
Our Personal Benefits Managers (PBMs) are standing by to help you find the healthshare program that’s best for you. UHF has seven different programs to choose from, each with different monthly sharing amounts and different NSAs or out of pocket responsibilities. Your Personal Benefits Manager can help you determine which one is the best fit.
Click here to get your free consultation. Once you sign up, your PBM will become your personal healthshare advisor, there to help you with your healthcare needs for as long as you have your plan.
Universal Healthshare Reviews
Note: Your email will not be displayed - for verification purposes only
Great help with prescription drugs
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!
Universal healthshare is working great for us!
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.
Not worth it
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!
The good and the bad
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
Available Plans | HSA Info | Healthshare Info | FAQS | Blog | About Us | Contact Us | Agents Needed
1001-A E. Harmony Rd #519 Fort Collins, CO 80525
Telephone: 800-913-0172
info@HSAforAmerica.com | © 2023 - All Rights Reserved
Disclaimer: All information on this website is relayed to the best of the Company's ability, but does not guarantee accuracy. Information may be out of date. The content provided on this site is intended for informational purposes only and does not guarantee price or coverage. This site is not intended as, and does not constitute, accounting, legal, tax, and/or other professional advice. Determination of actual price is subject to Carriers.