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Health share comparison - health sharing company short term uses

Review of Health Sharing for Short term Needs in California

Important Update on OneShare


OneShare has recently been accredited by The Healthcare Sharing Accreditation Board. The Healthcare Sharing Accreditation Board is an independent entity formed to review the operations of ministries to determine if they meet the highest standards. They review everything in the organization: member communications, guidelines, financials, governing documents, etc. They ensure that the ministry meets all of their core tenets and then grant accreditation if they do. OneShare Health is only the third ministry to get the accreditation. https://hcsab.org/

Additionally, to date (Jan 2026) they have shared almost 280 million dollars ( $279.212,555 to be exact). In the last 12 months they have received $47,564,074 in member contributions and have shared $21,008,250 in medical bills.

You can quote/enroll HERE


Ahhh...the Golden State.

Beautiful coasts and mountains. Check.

Overzealous legislators. Check.

Out of the blue, we received notification that California was banning all short term health plans effective 9/1/2018.

The hard date is 12/1/2018 but since the plans had a 90 day window, no new plans would be issued after 9/1.

We only had one carrier as it was.

So now what?

The genuine need for short term health plans didn't suddenly go away.

We still have an option in California and it will likely be the dominant short (and longer) term plan for people who can't enroll in Obamacare or can't afford to.

One note...we can always get Covered Ca plans and cancel month to month...especially if you're eligible for a tax credit! Quote those plans here.

Short term health sharing plans

You can jump right to the quote here:

health sharing for short term plans in California

Otherwise, let's look at a quick introduction.


Let's get started.

This is short term after all...

What is California short term

First, some basics.

What exactly is short term health in California.

Short term plans cover more catastrophic needs for a fixed period of time.

They're usually used between other coverages:

  • Waiting periods till new coverage starts
  • Need to get out to open enrollment
  • Lapsed other coverage
  • In between jobs
  • People or relatives visiting California for a fixed period of time

There are as many uses for short term as there are people!

Everyone's situation is different.

The main point to understand is that short term is more catastrophic.

It's there to cover the bigger bills.

Short term is not designed for:

  • Maternity
  • Pre-existing conditions
  • Out patient medications
  • Mental health and substance abuse

If those services might be needed OR if you qualify for a tax credit, it's probably best to get a standard plan.

You can read more on short term versus Obamacare plans here.

So...what about our new option..health sharing

What is HealthSharing?

You can read all about health sharing here.

Health sharing plans are NOT insurance.

They work like memberships.

In California, it's not really a question if you need short term coverage.


They're the only ones left for coverage that can start midnight following enrollment

You can read more on why they are best health sharing company here.

How do their plans work for short term needs?

OneShare had many different types of plans.

They can all be cancelled month to month and start midnight following enrollment.

This functions as their health sharing plan for short term health needs.

It's very comparable in design to what we had before with IHC short term plans.

It's actually broader and more flexible!

A few notes when comparing the plans.

MSRA

You have a choice of MSRA.

This is the equivalent of a deductible.

There are also three different plan types with different levels.

We generally recommend going with a higher MSRA (keep rates down) but with a richer plan type.

This has been the most popular approach.

You can compare the plans and rates here:


health sharing for short term plans in California

This is their short term option.

How short is short?

How long can you keep health sharings plans

There's is no cap on the time period.

This is actually more flexible than the 90 days we had before with IHC.

We can cancel month to month!


Are these the best rates for health sharing plans in California

The rates shown through the quote below are the best possible rates available anywhere!

There is no cost for our assistance:

health sharing for short term plans in California

Is there a penalty with the health sharing short term health plans

That's a nice advantage that health sharing short term plans have.

There is an exemption from the Federal penalty for not having qualified ACA health insurance.

What is the difference between short term health insurance and health sharing

The short term plans work very similarly.

The differences are with health sharing versus Obamacare health insurance.

We wrote extensively on how to compare these two here.

Health sharing is not health insurance so we want to pick the very best health sharing company available.

How quickly can you get health sharing short term plans


OneShare short term plans can start midnight following online enrollment.

They do not decline people based on health.

Instead, the short term plans have waiting periods for pre-existing conditions.

This is comparable to the old IHC short term plans except IHC could decline people AND they had waiting periods.


That's a plus for health sharing.

You can cancel these short term plans month to month!

How to quote and enroll in health sharing short term plans

It's very easy to quote and apply for short term plans by OneShare.

It's online!

You can access both here as well as the brochure:


health sharing for short term plans in California

We're happy to help with any questions.

There is ZERO cost for our assistance!


You can run your short term health sharing quote here to view rates and plans

Again, there is absolutely no cost to you for our services. Call 800-320-6269 Today!


Frequently Asked Questions
▸ What is a health sharing plan in California?
A health sharing plan (also called a healthcare sharing ministry) is a membership-based arrangement where members contribute funds to help cover each other's medical costs. These plans are not the same as traditional health insurance and are not regulated by the California Department of Insurance the same way. It's important to understand the differences before enrolling, so speaking with a licensed agent is recommended.
▸ Can I use a health sharing plan as short-term coverage in California?
Health sharing plans are sometimes considered by Californians who need coverage for a limited period, such as between jobs or during a gap in traditional insurance. However, these plans typically come with significant limitations compared to ACA-compliant health insurance, and may not cover pre-existing conditions or all essential health benefits. A licensed agent can help you weigh your options for your specific situation.
▸ Are health sharing plans the same as health insurance?
No - health sharing plans are not health insurance and do not carry the same legal protections or coverage guarantees as ACA-compliant plans. Contributions go into a shared pool to help pay members' eligible medical costs, but payment is generally not guaranteed. For a side-by-side look at California carrier options, see our California health insurance carrier comparison.
▸ How long can you stay on a health sharing plan in California?
The duration you can remain on a health sharing plan varies by the organization offering it and its specific membership rules - there is no single California standard. Some people use these plans briefly during coverage gaps, while others maintain membership longer term. Reviewing each plan's membership terms carefully and consulting a licensed agent is strongly advised.
▸ Are health sharing plans cheaper than regular health insurance in California?
Monthly contributions for health sharing plans can sometimes be lower than traditional insurance premiums, but the out-of-pocket risk may be significantly higher since benefits are not guaranteed and coverage is often more limited. Californians who qualify for income-based subsidies through Covered California may find that subsidized plans offer better overall value. Get a Covered California quote to compare your actual costs.
The answers above are general information about California health insurance and may change as rates, plans, and rules are updated each year. They are not a substitute for personalized advice. For current, personalized guidance, please contact us, email help@calhealth.net, or call 800-320-6269. Serving California since 1994.