A clear, step-by-step guide to submitting a Sharing Request as a self-pay patient.
A Sharing Request is how you submit a medical expense for the community to share. Instead of traditional deductibles, ShareWELL works on a per-member, per-request basis — each request gathers the bills tied to a single medical incident, from physicians, emergency rooms, hospitals, and other licensed providers.
As a self-pay patient, follow these instructions to get the most from your membership. Not every provider or payment method is identical, but these guidelines will help you navigate the billing process with confidence.
A little preparation goes a long way. Here is how to handle the situations members ask about most.
Let the staff know you are a self-pay patient and ask for any available discounts. Do not present other healthcare ID cards. You can pay up to your Unshared Amount directly, then open a Sharing Request as soon as it is convenient and send bills as you receive them.
Know what you enrolled in. Some members choose no preventive services, while others carry separate coverage. If you have an ID card with a network (for example, a MEC plan), your preventive services are not administered by ShareWELL — present that card for billing.
Medications for acute needs are eligible for sharing like any other expense once your Unshared Amount is met. Maintenance medications are handled separately and may fall under prescription coverage you added at signup. Check your member portal for plan details.
For doctor visits, urgent care, imaging, and recovery therapy: if a plan covers the service with a copay and you have no eligible request over your UA, present that card. Otherwise present as self-pay, ask for discounts, and contact us about prepayment options.
UA Sharing Requests are submitted once a medical incident exceeds your selected Unshared Amount of $1,500, $2,500, or $5,000. Preventive Sharing Requests are available only if you added preventive sharing during signup. When in doubt about what your membership includes, check your member portal or contact ShareWELL Partners.
Need to add bills or notes to an existing request? Reach out to your Advocate and we will help you submit your documents. Eligibility is always determined by the Member Guidelines.
Small steps that make sharing your bills faster and smoother.
Request self-pay pricing, an itemized bill, and provider notes, then include them with your Sharing Request so the community can share efficiently.
Determinations are made promptly and are based on the Member Guidelines, which define exactly which bills are eligible for sharing.
For UA Sharing Requests, request your medical records from the provider early so your request can be reviewed without delays.
Keep these deadlines in mind so your eligible bills are shared in full.
Maternity Sharing Requests are treated as UA requests and carry a 30-day waiting period from your membership start date before they are eligible.
Your Unshared Amount must be reached within six months from the initial date of service for an incident.
Submit bills in a timely manner as you receive them. Bills delayed beyond six months may have sharing limits applied.
Depending on your situation, the ShareWELL community can support your medical costs in several ways.
For expected services such as planned surgeries and screenings, ShareWELL helps members prepay so there are no surprises at the door.
ShareWELL can provide funds directly to members so you can pay for your healthcare expenses yourself.
When appropriate, ShareWELL or its partners work directly with your provider to settle eligible bills on your behalf.
Once costs are negotiated, we can email you a debit card to pay your healthcare bills in advance, at the time of service, or after a bill arrives.
Tell us exactly what you are facing. Your Advocate will walk with you every step of the way and help you take the first step toward submitting your Sharing Request.
Our Advocates make submitting your medical bills simple. Reach out and we'll guide you through every step.
