As the new year draws near, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how we steward both our health and finances. Check out this timely guide for practical tips and spiritual insights to help you manage your 2026 care with confidence.
As a new calendar year approaches, many of us take time to reflect on our health, our finances, and the stewardship of the resources God has entrusted to us. For Medi-Share members, this season is a natural time to prepare for the year ahead, not just spiritually, but practically.
Medi-Share’s unique, Christ-centered approach to health care allows us to support one another through prayer and financial sharing. But because Medi-Share is not insurance, not every medical expense or procedure is eligible for sharing.
Understanding this, and planning for it, empowers you to walk into the new year with peace, wisdom, and confidence that you’re stewarding your health and finances well.
Why Some Procedures Aren’t Shared
Medi-Share exists to help members with unexpected, medically necessary expenses: hospitalizations, emergencies, and major illnesses. Each year, Medi-Share's Guidelines are shaped through the member-voted process, reflecting a commitment to wise stewardship and sustainable sharing.
Elective procedures, lifestyle treatments, and routine care typically fall outside sharing eligibility. These limits aren’t arbitrary; they protect the community’s long-term health and ensure resources remain available for urgent, unplanned needs.
Luke 14:28 reminds us: “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost…?”
Planning ahead for expenses not shared is part of this principle. Faithful Medi-Share members anticipate their needs, estimate costs, and prepare to meet them, avoiding financial hardship for themselves and safeguarding the community.
Examples of Procedures Not Eligible for Sharing
While you’ll always want to consult the Medi-Share Member-Voted Guidelines for the most accurate and updated information, here are examples of common procedures and services that Medi-Share does not typically share in and for which members may want to proactively budget:
Screening mammograms
Screening colonoscopies
Screening labs not associated with eligible physicals
Immunizations
Routine dental cleanings and vision care
Bone density screenings
Weight loss medications
Cosmetic or elective surgeries
Fertility and reproductive treatments
Mental health treatment (limited eligibility)
Pre-existing conditions (may include waiting periods)
Each of these procedures involves some level of costs, but with foresight and intentional planning, they can become manageable rather than stressful. For most families this still results in significant savings over traditional insurance.
Understanding the Real Cost Difference: Planning Creates Savings
Planning ahead for procedures that aren’t eligible for sharing is not only a matter of stewardship but can also be a source of significant savings for many Medi-Share families.
Consider this example:
A family of four with no pre-existing conditions may anticipate standard annual care such as:
Routine physicals for each family member
A screening colonoscopy for Dad
A screening mammogram for Mom
Together, these typical, nonshared services may total around $4,000 per year, or just under $350 per month.
Now add the family’s monthly share for Medi-Share participation: approximately $400 per month, depending on their chosen program and Annual Household Portion (AHP). That brings their total monthly healthcare cost to about $750.
Compare that with the average health care costs, which is around $1,067 per month for a family of four.
Over the course of a year, this Medi-Share family could save more than $3,600 annually, even after budgeting for common procedures not eligible for sharing.
For additional ways to save, check out the Updated Tool to ‘Comparison Shop’ for Health Care, which helps members find the best value for medical services.
Stewardship and Personal Responsibility: The Heart of Being a Medi-Share Member
Medi-Share members commit not only to sharing one another’s medical burdens but also to living out biblical principles of wellness, responsibility, and stewardship: caring for their bodies, honoring God through healthy choices, and managing finances with gratitude and discipline.
As 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 reminds us, our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. Caring for them is an act of worship, expressed through both healthy living and wise financial planning.
Budgeting for expenses not shared by Medi-Share is more than practical; it safeguards the entire community. By planning ahead, avoiding unnecessary debt, and seeking fair pricing, members help ensure that shared resources remain strong for those facing unexpected medical challenges.
This is stewardship in action.
Practical Tips for Budgeting and Planning
-
Take Stock of Your Health Needs
-
Look ahead at what medical procedures or check-ups you may need in the coming year. Will you need dental work, vision correction, or elective surgery? Write it down so that you can plan ahead. -
For routine care, consider exploring Why Telehealth Might be the Smartest Health Choice You Make This Year to save time and money.
-
Review the Member-Voted Guidelines
-
Medi-Share members are always involved in any changes to our member-voted Guidelines, but let’s be honest. You probably weren’t paying close attention to guidelines for colonoscopies if you joined Medi-Share in your 20s or 30s. When planning for 2026, make sure to review any Guidelines that apply to your specific needs. Look for:
Waiting periods for pre-existing conditions
Annual or lifetime sharing limits
Definitions of eligible medical expenses
Special rules for maternity, mental health, or preventive care
-
If anything is unclear, reach out to your member representative for clarification.
-
Budget for Procedures Not Shared by the Medi-Share Community
-
Once you identify which expenses may not be shared, create a plan to cover them. Ask your providers for self-pay rates; many hospitals and clinics offer significant discounts for upfront payments.
-
Negotiate and Seek Fair Pricing
-
As a self-pay patient, you have freedom to negotiate. Ask for itemized estimates, compare prices, and request cash discounts. Many providers appreciate upfront payment and will reduce costs significantly. Remember: stewardship applies not only to giving but also to saving wisely.
Entering the New Year as a Community
The strength of the Medi-Share community rests in members who prepare wisely, care for their health intentionally, and support one another faithfully. By planning ahead for expenses not eligible for sharing, you protect your household while helping sustain a program built on biblical stewardship and compassion.
As Proverbs 21:5 reminds us, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance.” With thoughtful budgeting, informed decision-making, and a heart to honor God, you can enter the new year confident that you are caring well for your family and contributing meaningfully to a community of believers committed to sharing one another’s burdens.
