Understanding Health Sharing Plans

At Braaten & Company, we help businesses explore Health Share options as an alternative approach to managing healthcare costs. We’ll help you understand how health sharing works, what it may cover, and how it differs from traditional health insurance so you can determine whether it’s the right fit for your business and employees.

What Are Health Shares?

Health Shares provide an alternative approach to managing healthcare expenses by allowing members to share eligible medical costs. While they are not traditional health insurance, they may offer another option for individuals or businesses looking for a different way to manage healthcare costs.

What are the benefits of Health Shares?

Employee Savings

The typical employee with a family saves up to $5,700, and even more on their out-of-pocket costs.



Average Savings

The typical business that switches to our solution saves up to 16-22% on their employee health costs over time.

Health “benefits” are all too often unbeneficial for employees and their families.

  • Costs are too high already and getting higher
  • Premium increases are unpredictable year after year
  • Preventive care has become a luxury many can't afford
  • Actual value of benefits to employee is low


But here’s the challenge: The employees you depend on every day are depending on you to help offset the runaway costs of the health care they and their families need.

The number one cause of bankruptcy in the United States is health care costs, and the best way to prevent that from happening to your workforce isn’t a one-size traditional group insurance plan.

The solution is to build a better way for your company and employees, that can do the following:

  • Save you and your employees money.
  • Give your employees access to high-quality health care services they can actually use.
  • Provide a foundational preventive program that covers most of your employees health care needs.
  • Still allow employees or their individual family members access to a traditional insurance plan if they need one through an Individual Coverage HRA (ICHRA).

HMO, PPO, and HDHP Plans Explained for Employers

HMO (Health Maintenance Organization): Lower premiums and predictable costs, but employees must use a defined network of providers and select a primary care physician. A practical choice for businesses managing tight benefits budgets.

PPO (Preferred Provider Organization): Greater flexibility—employees can see any provider inside or outside the network without a referral. Premiums are higher, but the freedom appeals to competitive hiring environments.

HDHP (High-Deductible Health Plan): Lower monthly premiums paired with a higher deductible. Often combined with a Health Savings Account (HSA), which lets employees set aside pre-tax dollars for medical expenses. A strong fit for businesses offering a tiered or supplemented benefits strategy.

Matching Plan Type to Workforce Size and Budget

We evaluate your business size, industry, location, and employee demographics before recommending a plan structure. A ten-person manufacturing company in Becker has different group medical needs than a forty-person professional services firm in Saint Cloud, and plan selection should reflect that.

How We Help You Find the Right Medical Plan

Not every plan fits every business. That is why Braaten & Company takes a hands-on approach to reviewing your options and matching you with coverage that fits your workforce size, your industry, and your goals.

We walk you through:

  • Plan types, including HMOs, PPOs, and HDHPs
  • Employer and employee cost-sharing structures
  • Network Coverage across the nation
  • Annual renewal reviews to keep your plan optimized year over year

We also support your employees directly during enrollment, answering questions and making sure everyone understands what they are signed up for.

Frequently Asked Questions About Health Shares

  • How is a Health Share different from traditional health insurance?

    Traditional health insurance is an insurance contract with defined benefits and regulatory requirements. Health Shares operate under member guidelines and may have different rules, limitations, exclusions, and processes for sharing medical expenses.

  • What medical expenses can be shared?

    This varies by program. Eligible expenses may include certain doctor visits, hospital services, surgeries, maternity care, or other medical needs. It’s important to review the specific program guidelines before enrolling.

  • Can businesses offer Health Shares to employees?

    There are health-sharing arrangements that may be available to businesses and their employees. Because these programs differ from traditional group health insurance, employers should understand the structure and requirements before deciding whether one fits their benefits strategy.

Health Shares are not insurance and payment of medical expenses is not guaranteed in the same way as benefits under an insurance policy.

Wondering if a Health Share Is Right for You?

Health Shares can offer a different approach to managing healthcare expenses, but they aren’t the right fit for everyone. Braaten & Company can help you understand your options, compare them with traditional health insurance, and determine what makes sense for your needs and budget.