Does Healthcare sharing typically have network of doctors and hospitals?
Healthcare sharing, also known as health sharing, is an alternative to traditional health insurance where members of a community or organization pool their resources to cover medical expenses. Unlike traditional health insurance plans, healthcare sharing organizations typically do not have a network of doctors that members must use.
Healthcare sharing programs are not insurance plans, and they are not regulated by the same laws and regulations as traditional health insurance companies. Instead, they are typically organized around religious or ethical principles, and members share the cost of healthcare expenses among themselves under structured guidelines within the organization.
Instead, healthcare sharing organizations allow members to choose their own healthcare providers, including doctors, hospitals, and other medical professionals. Members submit their medical bills to the healthcare sharing organization, which then evaluates the bill and determines whether it is eligible for sharing among members. In some cases the health care sharing organization will directly interact with the hospital and doctors to settle bills upon determination of eligibility to the member.
However, some healthcare sharing organizations may offer discounts or negotiated rates with certain healthcare providers, which members may choose to take advantage of. Additionally, some healthcare sharing organizations may require members to obtain pre-authorization for certain medical procedures or treatments, which could limit their choice of healthcare providers in certain situations.
