Guiding the Way: How ShareWELL’s Advocacy Team Supports Members Through Every Step of the Healthcare Journey
Navigating today’s healthcare system can be especially challenging for those using a new approach—one that exists outside the traditional insurance model. Members of Health Sharing communities like ShareWELL often take a more hands-on role in managing their care. This can include acting as a self-pay patient, gathering medical bills, and coordinating benefits across various health plans. While this approach brings greater flexibility and control, it can also introduce new complexities. That’s where ShareWELL’s Advocacy Team, administered by ShareWELL Partners, becomes an essential guide and support system.
Their advocacy team is dedicated to helping members get the most from their Health Sharing experience. They provide expert assistance with Sharing Requests, help members understand and navigate their benefits, clarify determinations made by ShareWELL, and coordinate across other healthcare resources to streamline care and reduce costs. Their role is built on removing friction and uncertainty so that members can focus on their health, not the paperwork.
Personalized Support in a Member-Led Approach
The traditional healthcare system is designed with a heavy reliance on third-party administrators. In contrast, Health Sharing encourages a more direct and empowered relationship between members and their healthcare providers. For many, this means stepping into unfamiliar territory—requesting itemized bills, using new resources, or submitting payment upfront.
The Advocacy Team helps bridge that gap. They confidently prepare members to navigate these situations by offering tools, education, and personal guidance. Whether a member is facing a hospital visit or a series of specialist appointments, the Advocacy Team can assist with securing financial assistance applications, coordinating with providers, and ensuring bills are processed in ways that align with ShareWELL’s guidelines.
Submitting and Understanding Sharing Requests
A key feature of the ShareWELL community is the ability to submit Sharing Requests for eligible medical expenses. This is an unfamiliar process for some members, especially those new to Health Sharing. The Advocacy Team makes it manageable. They guide members through what to submit, how to gather the proper documentation, and what to expect during the review process.
If a Sharing Request receives a determination that needs further explanation, the Advocacy Team is the first point of contact. They help members understand the reasoning behind decisions, walk through any appeals that may be needed, and clarify how ShareWELL guidelines were applied. This level of transparency is part of what makes ShareWELL more member-focused.
Coordinating Benefits Across Plans
Many ShareWELL members don’t rely on a single source for their healthcare. They might combine ShareWELL with direct primary care memberships, employer-sponsored benefits, or other supplemental plans. Members can even access a vast library of healthcare resources to enhance their savings and experience. This can create confusion when bills come in or when determining who should pay for what.
The Advocacy Team is vital in helping members untangle and align these various resources. They review the details of each plan, help coordinate timelines and payment responsibilities, and ensure that no opportunities for cost-sharing or discounts are missed. This coordination helps members get the most value out of every dollar spent on their healthcare.
Expert Support with Self-Pay Resources
A common reality for ShareWELL members is managing care as a self-pay patient. This may involve up-front payments, negotiations, or applying for assistance from hospitals and clinics. The Advocacy Team offers real solutions, coordinating access to bill auditing services, legal negotiation experts, and hospital-based financial assistance programs.
These resources are not only valuable—they’re often essential when facing unexpected or high-cost medical needs. The Advocacy Team helps ensure that every possible path to affordability is explored and that members don’t shoulder that burden alone.
Clear, Compassionate Communication
At the heart of all this support is consistent and compassionate communication. The Advocacy Team keeps members informed at every stage, whether by following up on a Sharing Request, providing status updates, or simply being there to answer a question. They serve as a steady, reliable point of contact in what can often be a confusing process.
This personal touch helps reinforce ShareWELL’s commitment to the community. Members aren’t treated like case numbers; they’re treated like people with unique needs and situations. The Advocacy Team reflects that philosophy in everything they do.
Empowering Members for Long-Term Success
The goal of the ShareWELL Advocacy Team isn’t just to solve problems—it’s to empower members. By helping them understand how to navigate healthcare with confidence and clarity, the team contributes to a long-term shift in how members approach their well-being. It’s about more than getting through a single medical event—it’s about building the knowledge and tools to manage future care on their terms.
As more people move toward flexible, member-directed models like Health Sharing, the kind of support offered by ShareWELL’s Advocacy Team becomes even more essential. They are not just guides—they’re champions for every member’s health journey.