Of course, I couldn't afford both the Health Share and real insurance, so I took the risk. But it soon became apparent that I was in over my head.
I barely understood the whole insurance claims/billing process. I had not been too involved, since Medicaid coverage had made a lot of that effortless and invisible.
So I had to learn about all these billing practices, and what's more, the Health Share had their own terminology that was parallel, but not equivalent, to insurance terminology. Thankfully, they published a detailed Lexicon document, in addition to their Sharing Guidelines.
All claims (Medical Needs) were manual. No providers would directly bill the HSM. The bills they sent to me were useless for this purpose. I needed to cajole each provider into generating an itemized "SuperBill" with all the info required for the HSM. Then I'd submit it to the HSM and literally pray.
I put up with this for a couple of years. I heard from other people how draining it was to deal with all this. So I finally withdrew. Now I carry regular Marketplace insurance.
But I'm descending into a hellscape of bureaucracy, and I'm scared of it. For years I've been trying to advocate for my health and reduce my health care costs by refusing unnecessary treatments that were making me sicker, and worsening my conditions.
But the insurance company seems hell bent on sending me on fool's errands and wild goose chases. For example, I didn't receive any billing communication for two months. Then, AutoPay failed last month. They sent me incorrectly-worded warning notices. I went around and around with CSRs about this. Finally we kicked the can down the road. They assured me that my insurance wouldn't terminate as it had been threatened.
But now my PCP's office is coming back to me with denials from 6 months ago. I'm tearing my hair out. Indeed, why do I need to be in the loop? They are filing claims. Their billing department needs to work this out. I'm powerless to tell my [ex-]insurance carrier what to do. I already sent them proof of coverage! Leave me alone!
It's a nightmare, and I predict that it will eventually eat my entire life. Many elderly people are slaves to their physicians and specialists and medications. My own parents are on a constant treadmill of doctor's appointments, every week, blood draws, ridiculously complex medication rituals.
My sanity and faith in Christ is worth far more than cooperation with these mendacious, lying, thieving swine. Mark my words.