At ShareWELL, our goal has always been to make healthcare more accessible, transparent, and member-friendly. One of the key ways we accomplish this is through our innovative instant debit card, provided to members with an eligible Sharing Request. This card offers a more convenient way to pay medical bills directly, giving members immediate access to community funds without waiting for reimbursements, complicated claim forms, or network restrictions.
What Is the ShareWELL Instant Debit Card?
The ShareWELL debit card functions as a direct payment tool for members to pay providers for eligible medical expenses. The card can be used when a member receives preventive care, scheduled procedures, or even care after an unexpected ER visit.
This approach is designed to be simple and seamless: instead of navigating complex billing processes, members can pay their bills instantly, before, during, or after the care. Providers receive immediate payment, and members enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing their expenses are covered — all without having to dip into their personal funds and wait for a reimbursement.
Why Direct Payment Matters in the ShareWELL Model
As a Health Share community, ShareWELL operates differently than traditional plans. We’re focused on making healthcare work for members, not for a massive network or third-party administrator. One of healthcare consumers’ most common pain points is the uncertainty around payment — who’s paying when they’re paying, and how much will be covered. Our member-friendly processes help eliminate that uncertainty.
By providing instant, direct payment to providers, ShareWELL removes the guesswork and empowers members to seek care confidently. Avoiding a visit is unnecessary because you’re worried about paying upfront and waiting to be reimbursed. Instead, the debit card puts control in the hands of the member, aligning with ShareWELL’s larger mission of making healthcare decisions simpler, more transparent, and member-driven.
Using the Card for Preventive Care: 3 Easy Options
Preventive care is one of the most important aspects of maintaining good health, and we want to ensure members have every reason to take advantage of it. For those who have included preventive sharing with their membership, there are three flexible ways to make the payment process work:
- Get an Itemized Bill in Advance: If the provider can give you an itemized bill before your visit, you can submit this information to ShareWELL to have your card pre-loaded with the appropriate amount. This way, you walk into your appointment ready to pay.
- Call & Pay During the Appointment: Some providers won’t know the exact cost until they see you. In that case, you can call ShareWELL during the visit, and your provider can give the verbal amount directly. Funds can be immediately loaded to your debit card for payment.
- Provide a Bill After the Appointment: In cases where you’re billed after your visit, you can submit the bill to ShareWELL, and once approved, funds will be added to your card for payment.
Each provider handles billing a bit differently, and we’ve designed this process to work flexibly, so no matter how your provider bills, you can still take full advantage of the debit card.
Self-Pay Discounts: Putting Savings Back in Your Pocket
As a self-pay patient within the ShareWELL community, members should always request a self-pay discount from providers. Many healthcare facilities offer significant savings for patients paying directly at the time of service.
Beyond Preventive Care: Other Ways to Use Your Card
While preventive care is a primary focus, the debit card is incredibly versatile. It can be used for various eligible expenses after the members have met their Unshared Amount. This includes:
- Specialist and follow-up office visits
- Diagnostic tests and labs
- Scheduled procedures
- Unpaid balances after an ER visit
This flexibility ensures that you have a straightforward, easy way to pay no matter what type of care you need.
Enhancing ShareWELL’s Unique Approach to Healthcare
The instant debit card isn’t just about payment — it reflects ShareWELL’s philosophy: healthcare should be member-first, transparent, and free from unnecessary complexity. The traditional approach often creates barriers between members and their care. It requires pre-authorizations and limits choices to narrow networks. It makes the processes so confusing that many people avoid care altogether.
ShareWELL flips that script. By putting control in the hands of the member and giving them a simple payment tool they can use directly with any provider, we’re removing those barriers and encouraging a proactive approach, all while keeping the member in charge.
Simple, Transparent, Empowering
The healthcare system doesn’t have to be confusing — and with ShareWELL, it’s not. Our instant debit card is more than a payment method; it symbolizes our commitment to simple, affordable, member-driven healthcare. Whether you’re scheduling a routine physical or following up after an ER visit, the card empowers you to focus on what really matters: your health. See how we’re changing how members access and pay for care — one visit at a time.