Medi-Share for Members 65 and Older
Medi-Share 65+ is a healthcare sharing option designed for members who are also on Medicare. An advisor explains how it works alongside Medicare and whether it fits your situation.
A licensed advisor follows up with your options. Free. No obligation.
Curious about healthcare sharing at 65? Here's the honest picture.
If you're 65 or older and drawn to a faith-based approach, Medi-Share 65+ is built to work alongside Medicare to help with costs Medicare leaves behind. As always, it's a sharing program rather than insurance, and we'll explain exactly how it fits with your Medicare coverage.
When you turn 65, Medicare covers a significant portion of your medical costs, but it leaves behind deductibles, coinsurance, and copays. Most people buy a Medicare Supplement or a Medicare Advantage plan to handle those remaining costs. Medi-Share 65+ offers an alternative path for those who prefer a faith-based approach to managing their healthcare expenses.
It is critical to understand that Medi-Share 65+ is not insurance. It is a cost-sharing program where members of a faith community share one another's eligible medical costs. You must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B to participate.
Medicare Supplement or Medi-Share 65+?
That is the real question most people are asking when they look at this program. You are enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B, and you know you need something to help with the costs Medicare leaves behind. Medi-Share 65+ requires enrollment in both Part A and Part B. The choice is between buying a regulated insurance policy (a Medicare Supplement) or joining a faith-based sharing program (Medi-Share 65+).
A Medicare Supplement provides guaranteed benefits defined by law. If Medicare approves a claim, the Supplement must pay its portion. Medi-Share 65+ operates on a different model entirely. Costs are shared among members according to the program's guidelines, which means there are specific eligibility rules for what gets shared and what does not. The monthly cost for sharing is often lower than an insurance premium, but you are accepting a different level of certainty in return.
It does not replace Medicare
You keep Medicare Part A and Part B. Medi-Share 65+ sits alongside them. Enrollment in both Part A and Part B is required to join the program and to stay in it.
When you go to the doctor or hospital, you hand them your Medicare card. Medicare processes the claim and pays its portion of the bill. The remaining balance is the part you would normally owe out of pocket. That amount is then submitted to Medi-Share. If the cost is eligible under the program's guidelines, it is shared among the members and paid.
This means you have the same broad access to doctors as you do with Medicare Part A and Part B. Any doctor or facility that accepts Medicare will work with this setup, because Medicare is still your primary coverage.
It is not a Medicare Supplement
A Medicare Supplement is a regulated insurance policy with guaranteed benefits. If Medicare pays its share, the Supplement is legally required to pay its share. Medi-Share 65+ is not insurance, and the protections are different.
There is no contractual guarantee that a given cost will be shared. State insurance regulators do not backstop it. The consumer protections that attach to an insurance contract do not attach here.
There are also specific eligibility rules that determine what gets shared. Pre-existing conditions are handled differently than under a Medicare Supplement, and some costs may fall outside the sharing guidelines entirely. This is why it is essential to understand the rules before you join.
Medicare Supplement vs Medi-Share 65+
| Medicare Supplement | Medi-Share 65+ | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A regulated insurance policy | A faith-based sharing program. Not insurance. |
| Legal protections | Guaranteed benefits, state regulated | Insurance protections do not apply |
| What you pay monthly | A premium | A monthly share (often lower) |
| Doctor access | Any doctor who accepts Medicare | Any doctor who accepts Medicare |
| Is everything covered? | If Medicare approves it, the Supplement pays its share | Subject to program eligibility rules |
| Membership requirements | None | Statement of faith, lifestyle commitments |
This is a general comparison. Your advisor will walk you through the specifics for your situation.
The switching question, and why it is urgent
If you choose Medi-Share 65+ and later decide you want a Medicare Supplement instead, you may face a significant hurdle. This is the single most consequential thing on the page and it must be said before someone joins, not after.
When you first enroll in Medicare Part B at age 65, you have a one-time Medigap Open Enrollment Period. During this window, insurance companies must sell you a Medicare Supplement policy regardless of your health history. They cannot turn you down or charge you more for pre-existing conditions. It is a guaranteed-issue right.
If you choose Medi-Share 65+ instead, that guaranteed-issue window eventually closes. If you try to switch to a Medicare Supplement years later, the insurance company can require medical underwriting. They can look at your health history, and they can legally turn you down or charge you a significantly higher premium. This makes the decision at 65 far more permanent than it appears.
Who it fits, and who it doesn't
It may be a good fit if
- You want lower monthly costs than a comprehensive Medicare Supplement.
- The faith-based approach genuinely aligns with how you live.
- You understand it isn't insurance and you're comfortable with that.
- You have the financial stability to handle costs that fall outside the sharing rules.
It may not be a good fit if
- You have a significant pre-existing condition or anticipate high medical needs.
- You need the legal protections and certainty of a regulated insurance plan.
- You want to keep the option open to easily switch to a Medicare Supplement later.
- You aren't completely comfortable with the membership commitments.
Common mistakes
Believing it replaces Medicare.
It does not. You must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B and stay enrolled. This program sits alongside them.
Believing it is a Supplement.
It is not insurance. A Supplement guarantees payment if Medicare approves a claim. Medi-Share 65+ shares costs subject to eligibility guidelines.
Not understanding the guaranteed-issue window.
Choosing this over a Supplement at age 65 means your guaranteed-issue window will eventually close. Switching to a Supplement later may require medical underwriting.
Compare your Medicare options, free
See my optionsWhat to ask before you decide
- How does the monthly share compare to a Medicare Supplement premium?
- What happens if I develop a serious health condition?
- How are pre-existing conditions handled?
- What costs are explicitly not eligible for sharing?
- How difficult will it be to switch to a Supplement later if I change my mind?
- Does this cover prescription drugs, or do I still need a Part D plan?
- Am I comfortable with the statement of faith and lifestyle commitments?
How a licensed advisor helps
We will walk you through the details of Medi-Share 65+ and compare it side by side with a Medicare Supplement. We will explain the eligibility rules, the tradeoffs, and the long-term implications of your choice.
Our help is free to you, and we are not paid more for steering you toward one option over another. If a Medicare Supplement is the better fit for your situation, we will tell you that.
What our clients say.
"His knowledge was impeccable. He listened and wasn't in a hurry. Follow up was great too."
"He gave me several options and didn't push me to make a decision. He considered my financial situation and my current coverage."
"Felt like Mike and his team were honest, a feeling I don't get when dealing with insurance companies."
Ready to see your options?
See my optionsCommon questions.
Does Medi-Share 65+ replace my Medicare coverage?
No. You must have and maintain Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to participate in Medi-Share 65+. This program sits alongside your Medicare coverage to help share the costs that Medicare leaves behind, but it does not replace it.
Is Medi-Share 65+ the same as a Medicare Supplement?
No. A Medicare Supplement is a regulated insurance policy with guaranteed benefits that pays specific Medicare deductibles and coinsurance. Medi-Share 65+ is a faith-based healthcare sharing program, not insurance, and the consumer protections that apply to an insurance contract do not apply here.
Can I switch to a Medicare Supplement later if I change my mind?
You can apply, but you may face medical underwriting depending on your timing and state laws. If you miss your initial guaranteed-issue window at age 65, an insurance company can turn you down or charge you more based on your health history. An advisor can explain how this applies to you.
How does billing work with Medi-Share 65+?
When you receive medical care, your provider bills Medicare first. Medicare processes the claim and pays its portion. The remaining eligible balance is then processed through the Medi-Share 65+ program according to their sharing guidelines.
Are pre-existing conditions eligible for sharing?
Pre-existing conditions are handled differently than under a regulated insurance plan. There are specific rules and waiting periods regarding what conditions are eligible for sharing. This is the first thing an advisor will check with you.
Do I have to be religious to join?
Members of Medi-Share 65+ agree to a statement of faith and a set of lifestyle commitments. Because this is a faith-based community sharing medical costs, alignment with these beliefs is a requirement for membership.
Is everything that Medicare doesn't cover shared by Medi-Share 65+?
Not necessarily. While it helps with many costs, there are eligibility guidelines that determine what gets shared. Some costs may fall outside these rules, meaning you would be responsible for them.
How much does Medi-Share 65+ cost per month?
Members pay a monthly share amount, which is often lower than the premium for a comprehensive Medicare Supplement plan. However, because it is not insurance, you are accepting different terms and protections. An advisor can show you the exact monthly share for your situation.
Does it cost anything to use an advisor to compare options?
No. Our help is completely free to you. We are paid by the programs and carriers, so comparing your options side by side does not cost you anything or increase your monthly share.
What happens if a medical cost is not eligible for sharing?
If a cost falls outside the sharing guidelines of the program, you are financially responsible for paying it. This is why understanding the eligibility rules before you join is critical.
Talk to an advisor about your options.
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