“United We Save” is a good motto. Because it’s true, you do save a lot with United Refuah. But beyond the savings, you receive great care as well. This is my experience.
Have questions? Register for United Refuah’s Webinar taking place Sunday, December 6th.
More than two years ago, in the summer of 2018, when United Refuah launched, I wrote in this post about my decision to forego traditional insurance and join. Like many of you, traditional insurance had me very frustrated. I felt like my choices were between evil and more evil: pay a lot and get nothing OR pay more and get a little less nothing.
I wanted more control, and I wanted value. And United Refuah seemed to be the answer.
I was lucky. Because I’m a journalist/writer and was writing two articles about the health share (both in the Between Carpools post and in Ami Magazine), I had the privilege of interviewing all the people behind the launch of United Refuah, so I was able to obtain a first-hand, behind-the-scenes comprehensive education. I was able to ask the founders and the Director all of my questions and receive a lot of their time and attention. I had all the tools I needed to make an informed decision.
It was so worth it.
First of all, we saved a ton of money. I always had that “icky” feeling when paying for insurance, like someone was stealing from me. Now, as a self-pay patient, I felt empowered. I go to the doctor’s office, I pay for the care I get. It felt right. Then, I submit the receipts with the right billing codes to United Refuah, I get reimbursed.
During my first year on United Refuah, my only out-of-pocket expenses outside of the low monthly payment (it was about $600 for my family, click here to see what the rate would be for your family size) were a few hundred dollars for a few sick visits, as well-checkups are fully reimbursed.
Sure, there was a little bit of a learning curve. I had become familiar with the basic concepts of how medical billing works. I had to get accustomed to making sure each doctor’s office provided me with the information I needed, including the “diagnosis code” and “CPT code.” And, yes, I also needed to take the time here and there to scan and email or upload my claims for reimbursement or for payment to my doctor. There was always someone available at URHS to help me figure it out.
My second year with United Refuah was a little more eventful.
First, my 4-year-old ate a kug. Not a kugel, a kug. As in kugelach. When we asked her what possessed her to take kugs out of my son’s backpack and eat them, she just smiled and put her hands up in that cute ‘I don’t know’ gesture. She had to go to the emergency room on erev Shabbat for x-Rays (these things alwwwwaaays happen on erev Shabbat). Baruch Hashem, x-Rays showed that the kug was passing through her safely. I had expected to receive a huge hospital bill, but I didn’t. I received a small bill because I’m uninsured. (Health share members are legally uninsured even though they are exempt from the insurance mandates).
Did you know that United Refuah members usually pay way less for “not covered” events?
It just goes to show how crazy the world is. If I had insurance, insurance would not have paid (I would have had a large deductible), but I would have gotten a huge bill. Now that I was uninsured, I received a normal bill. I met my low “pre-share” amount of $1500 for the year for my family (like a deductible), allowing everything else that year to be 80% shared.
Then I had a baby. My baby was born in October. I received such personal care and attention from United Refuah throughout the pregnancy and the process. The hospital didn’t bill me until December. Yes, there was paperwork to do. United Refuah had to negotiate one ridiculous bill from the anesthesiologist. But by the beginning of January, I received checks from United Refuah equaling 80% of my expenses. In the end, my out-of-pocket for the baby was about $2,000, much less than I would have paid with traditional insurance (and don’t forget…my monthly payments were only about $600 a month for the entire family). Obviously these rates depend on which doctor and hospital you choose, but everything was so much more affordable.
So, yes, I have been completely happy with my family’s decision to join United Refuah and I wholeheartedly recommend it.If you call their office, they won’t push you into joining. One of their very friendly team members will have a candid conversation with you to help you figure out if it is the right choice for your family.
It is reassuring to know that if a family has significant medical expenses (above $40,000 for their family one year), sharing becomes 100%. No matter how you do the math, you come out significantly ahead.
I know that every family has different health concerns and different questions when determining if United Refuah would be right for them. That’s why they’re inviting you to join a Webinar, this coming December 6th to learn how United Refuah works. You will hear all you need to hear and you will subsequently be able to ask the questions you want to ask.
Click here to register for the Webinar taking place on Sunday, December 6th.
Here’s a summary of the program so you can see what your health expenses would be. Visit the website to learn more.
UNITED REFUAH MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM
| UNITED REFUAH PROGRAM TYPE |
Electronic Bank |
CREDIT CARD |
| SINGLE |
$199 |
$209 |
| COUPLE |
$349 |
$359 |
| FAMILY (MAXIMUM OF 6 FAMILY MEMBERS) $50 monthly for each additional member |
$499 |
$519 |
Annual Membership Dues: At Signup: $125, Recurring thereafter: $75
Annual PreShare Amount: $500 for an individual | $1000 for a couple | $1500 for a family
After you have met your Annual PreShare Amount, United Refuah will share 80% of eligible medical expenses up to your Maximum Annual Co-Share Amount (Single $2000; Couple $4000; and Family $8000). After this amount is met, URHS shares 100% up to $1 Million per incident. Eligibility of medical conditions is subject to the Sharing Guidelines.
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