OneShare Health is a faith-based health care sharing ministry, based in Irving, Texas, that Illinois families use as a lower-cost alternative to health insurance. Members share each other’s eligible medical bills. It is not insurance, and that difference matters. Here is how the programs work, who they fit, and our honest rating.
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Contributions are often far below unsubsidized ACA premiums, especially for healthy families who do not qualify for a subsidy.
Use any provider. The First Health network (an Aetna company) lowers your costs, but out-of-network bills can leave you owing more.
Enroll any time of year with next-day active dates. No Open Enrollment window.
Telemedicine is 100% shared and Classic tiers include a few doctor and urgent care visits, but prescriptions are discount-only.
Waiting periods and pre-existing condition limitations apply, and OneShare can exclude sharing for pre-existing conditions.
The part we do not love. See below.
Our rating is our own opinion as licensed agents and is not paid for or endorsed by OneShare Health.
OneShare Programs at a Glance
OneShare offers two main programs: Catastrophic for emergencies and hospital stays only, and Classic, which comes in Basic, Enhanced and Crown tiers. Each has an Individual Sharing Amount (ISA), which works like a deductible: you pay eligible bills up to the ISA before sharing begins.
| Feature | Catastrophic | Classic Basic | Classic Enhanced | Classic Crown |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Published starting contribution | From $65/mo | From $85/mo (varies by tier) | ||
| Individual Sharing Amount (ISA) | $5,000 or $10,000 | $5,000, $7,500 or $10,000 | ||
| Per incident maximum | $150,000 to $500,000 | $150,000 | $250,000 | $500,000 |
| Lifetime maximum | $300,000 to $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Virtual urgent care | $0, 100% shared | $0, 100% shared | $0, 100% shared | $0, 100% shared |
| Primary care visits | Not eligible | 1/yr, $40 fee | 3/yr, $40 fee | 5/yr, $40 fee |
| Specialist visits | Only tied to a hospital stay or surgery, $75 fee | Not eligible | Not eligible | $75 fee, no referral |
| Urgent care facility | Not eligible | 1/yr, $75 fee | 1/yr, $75 fee | 2/yr, $75 fee |
| Emergency room | $500 visit fee on ER bills under $10,000; ISA applies at $10,000 and above | |||
| Labs, X-rays, diagnostics | Only tied to a hospital stay, surgery or ER visit | Eligible | ||
| Hospital and surgery | Shared after ISA, up to the per incident maximum | |||
| Preventive care and wellness visit | Not eligible | Shared up to $1,500/yr after a 180-day waiting period | ||
| Maternity | Not eligible | Not eligible | Not eligible | Shared after ISA (natural delivery up to $10,000, C-section up to $15,000) |
| Prescriptions | Discount programs only, not shared | |||
Source: onesharehealth.com program pages, November 2026. Contributions vary by age, family size, program and tier. Details are subject to change and are governed by OneShare’s current Member Guidelines. Get your exact price with the quote button on this page.
Who OneShare Is Good For
A good fit if you…
- Are healthy and mainly want protection from a big hospital or surgery bill
- Earn too much for an ACA subsidy and find full-price Marketplace premiums out of reach
- Agree with OneShare’s Christian Statement of Beliefs and like the idea of members sharing bills
- Missed Open Enrollment and need something that starts tomorrow
- Want to see any doctor without network referrals
- Are self-employed or between jobs and want a lower monthly cost
Not a good fit if you…
- Have a chronic or pre-existing condition you need covered from day one
- Qualify for an ACA subsidy, since a subsidized plan may cost the same or less with guaranteed coverage
- Take expensive ongoing prescriptions, which are discount-only
- Are pregnant or planning a pregnancy (only Classic Crown shares maternity)
- Need the certainty that your bills will be paid, backed by state regulation
- Want to contribute to an HSA, or are eligible for Medicare
How OneShare Pays Bills
Show your OneShare member card at the visit. Most providers bill OneShare directly. If one will not, you submit an Expense Sharing Request with an itemized bill. Once your ISA is met, eligible amounts are shared up to your program limits, minus any visit fees. OneShare says most sharing requests are completed within three weeks. For planned procedures and hospital stays, contact OneShare first so you know what will be shared before you go.
OneShare vs. an ACA Plan
An ACA plan must accept you regardless of health history, cover prescriptions and the ten essential health benefits, cap your out-of-pocket costs, and answer to the Illinois Department of Insurance. OneShare offers none of those guarantees, in exchange for a lower monthly cost. If your income qualifies you for premium tax credits through Get Covered Illinois, compare that first. Our guides on 2027 Open Enrollment and options when you do not qualify for a subsidy walk through the alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is OneShare Health insurance?
No. OneShare Health, LLC is a religious health care sharing ministry. Members share each other’s eligible medical bills. It is not an insurance company, and it has no legal obligation to pay your medical expenses.
Does OneShare cover pre-existing conditions?
OneShare applies waiting periods and pre-existing condition limitations, and it reserves the right to exclude sharing for pre-existing conditions. If you have an ongoing condition, an ACA plan is usually the safer choice.
Can I use any doctor with OneShare?
Yes. Members can see any provider. OneShare uses the First Health network, and staying in network usually lowers what you owe. Out-of-network bills can leave you with more to pay.
Are prescriptions shared?
No. Prescriptions are not shared on any program. Members get discount programs instead, so ongoing medications are paid mostly out of pocket.
Can I enroll outside Open Enrollment?
Yes. OneShare is not tied to the ACA enrollment window and offers next-day active dates, which makes it an option when you missed Open Enrollment.
Does OneShare work with an HSA?
No. Health care sharing is not a high deductible health plan, so it does not make you eligible to contribute to a Health Savings Account.
Get Your OneShare Quote
See your exact monthly contribution and apply online in minutes, or call us and we will compare OneShare side by side with ACA plans for your family. Our help costs you nothing.
Get My OneShare Quote and ApplyCall 312.726.6565Prefer to talk first? Call 312.726.6565 or email help@ihealthagents.com.
OneShare Health, LLC is not an insurance company but a religious health care sharing ministry that facilitates the sharing of medical expenses among members. Participation is voluntary, sharing is not guaranteed, and members remain responsible for their own medical bills. OneShare is not available in every state. iHealth Agents is an independent agency and may be compensated by OneShare Health for memberships.