Healthcare financing has become more complicated as families face rising medical expenses and limited options. Liberty HealthShare, founded in 1995 as the Gospel Light Mennonite Church Medical Aid Plan, offers an alternative way of paying for healthcare costs through a faith-based community model. With approximately 160 team members supporting members nationwide, the ministry operates on the biblical principle of bearing one another’s burdens.
Voluntary member contributions each month support the sharing of eligible medical expenses across the community. Through ShareBox, a secure online portal, participants can view how their monthly payments assist fellow members. In the past year, member contributions totaled more than $454 million in billed charges, later repriced to just over $154 million—a savings exceeding $300 million.
“Our focus at Liberty HealthShare is on our members,” explains Chief Executive Officer Dorsey Morrow. “We are here to help facilitate sharing between our members. We are not driven by profit. It’s frankly our goal to go broke each month. The contributions coming in should be the contributions that go out.”
Financial Operations Without Reserves
Unlike health insurance with its reserve requirements, the ministry maintains no unallocated contributions. Each month’s incoming payments must address that month’s eligible medical expenses. Members can join or leave at any time throughout the year, creating operational complexity that requires constant monitoring.
“We don’t have reserves, we don’t have unallocated contributions left over each month, we have to be very intentional in how we set contributions,” Morrow states.
The ministry analyzes current and historical sharing patterns monthly while forecasting trends. Multiple specialized vendors negotiate with medical providers to control expenses. Since 2014, the organization has supported the sharing of nearly $5 billion in eligible, repriced medical expenses.
Member-Focused Service Model
The ministry distinguishes itself through personalized support that extends beyond administrative processing. Nurses on staff understand medical complexities and maintain regular contact with members navigating healthcare decisions. Team members pray with and for participants facing challenges.
“We have a list that is distributed internally every Friday of prayer requests from our members,” Morrow shares. “Whether it’s with the member or for the member, we are about prayer. We strongly believe in that here.”
Antonio Monterrosa joined after facing overwhelming insurance costs of $3,600 monthly for his family. “The first real test of our Liberty HealthShare membership came when I received hospital and surgeon bills totaling $8,000,” he recalled. “But it was all shared by our fellow Liberty HealthShare members.”
Monterrosa particularly values the customer service approach. “Liberty HealthShare representatives respond promptly, and they are incredibly kind and eager to help you right away,” he added. “It feels like I’m dealing with a caring human being rather than someone reading robotically from a script.”
Communication and Program Development
Chief Executive Officer Dorsey Morrow credits open communication for maintaining the ministry’s culture across all departments. Team members are encouraged to ask questions during meetings, regardless of topic sensitivity.
“I want our team members to ask me questions that are on their mind. They may be difficult questions, whenever we have our get together meetings, ‘Hey, what questions do you have?’” Morrow explains. “I don’t limit what they can ask about because I want to know what’s on their mind and what’s really concerning them.”
The ministry conducts surveys every six months to assess member needs and satisfaction. This feedback refines operations and develops new offerings. The supplemental dental sharing program, with suggested monthly costs beginning at $35, originated from member suggestions.
“The dental program was actually generated from one of our members, ‘I would love to have this,'” Morrow recalls. “And we started exploring and, ‘Oh, wow, that is a great idea. Let’s do it.'”
Six different medical sharing programs accommodate various needs and budgets. Suggested monthly share amounts for individuals range from $87 to $369, with family options starting at $319 per month. Members can switch between programs or leave without annual commitments.
“We’ve got a number of programs so that somebody can select whatever works best for their family,” Morrow notes. “With the healthcare sharing ministry and Liberty HealthShare in particular, you can join our membership, and if you determine it doesn’t work for you, you’re not locked into it.”
Provider Network and Cost Control
Participants retain complete freedom in choosing healthcare providers. While the ministry encourages using providers within the PHCS network to reduce expenses, members can visit any doctor or facility they prefer. Multiple vendors handle negotiations with medical providers on behalf of participants.
Don Winslett experienced this approach during his prostate cancer treatment. “It’s still hard for me to believe how powerful the Liberty HealthShare community was. It really worked out well for me,” Winslett explained. His $58,000 in eligible medical costs were shared by fellow members.
“It was always a little difficult for me dealing with the insurance companies because to them you truly are just a number,” Winslett reflected. “Liberty HealthShare is the conduit, but it was my fellow members who shared my eligible medical expenses. For them, I’m very thankful.”
Transparency and Growth
The ministry emphasizes operational transparency with members. Financial information, program guidelines, and sharing details are accessible through the website and member portal.
“Anything and everything you want to know about Liberty HealthShare, you can go to our website. If for some reason you can’t find what you’re looking for, give us a call, shoot us an email,” Morrow states.
Charity Navigator awarded the ministry a four-star rating, and member surveys show an 80% approval rating. The organization also maintains a 4.5-star rating on Google, 4.5 stars on Trustpilot, and an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Shawn Carroll joined in 2017, shortly before a serious car accident left her with significant medical needs. “I was in a serious car accident in 2017, which caused my medical bills to exceed my auto insurance limits. Liberty HealthShare picked things right up after that and surpassed my expectations,” Carroll recalled.
The accident impacted her ability to work as an artist but, with therapy and support, she regained her artistic skills. “Liberty HealthShare has certainly been another miracle in my life,” Carroll concluded.
Unlike health insurance with limited enrollment periods, the ministry accepts new members throughout the year. The ministry has experienced consistent growth in inquiries and enrollments for nearly two years. Members appreciate the combination of practical support and spiritual encouragement, creating a holistic care model rarely found in healthcare financing.
Morrow attributes success to teamwork across all departments. “We have a fantastic team top to bottom here, and everybody here is enabled to make a decision, to make those choices,” he notes. “When a team member feels heard, when you take an interest in them professionally and personally, and you trust them with the vision of the organization, I tell you, those people are going to move mountains to make things happen.”