Health Care Share Sharing Terminology – Same Benefits, Different Labels
HCSM’s use different terminology to describe the same benefits you know from the health insurance world.
If you’re familiar with traditional health insurance, then you are aware of terms like doctor visits, deductibles, and coinsurance. Health Share Plans, also known as Health Care Share Ministries (HCSM’s), offer these same benefits; however, they are legally required to use different terminology.
Instead of using the term “deductible”, Health Share Plans like Aliera Health Care use the terms MRA, MSRA or AHP. This refers to the amount that members pay before the HCSM kicks in and starts paying for eligible health care needs.
- MRA (Member Responsible Amount) = means the same thing as deductible or copay
- MSRA (Member Share Responsibility Amount) = means the same thing as deductible or copay
- AHP (Annual Household Portion) = means the same thing as deductible
At first, the new terminology can be a little disconcerting, but once you get it down, you’ll realize that we’re talking about the same type of benefits that you find on a traditional health insurance plan. It’s the same coverages just with new labels.
Terminology: Health Insurance vs. Health Care Sharing (HCSM) Plans |
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Health Insurance |
Health Share Plans (HCSM’s) |
Definition |
Deductible |
MRA, MSRA or AHP |
amount the member pays before the HCSM pays for eligible needs |
Doctor Visit Copay |
Consult Fee or Provider Fee |
the amount member pays to see a physician |
Enroll in an Insurance Plan |
Acquire Membership |
the process of gaining membership and health care benefits |
Co-insurance |
Co-expense |
the percentage that the member is required to pay |
Doctor/Hospital |
Affiliate/Provider |
the health care professionals and/or facilities where care is received |
Primary Applicant |
Contributor |
the person who pays the bill each month |
Monthly Premiums |
Voluntary Monthly Contributions |
the price you pay each month* |
* The “Voluntary Monthly Contributions” are monetary contributions, excluding membe