As a ShareWELL member, you can access a wide range of healthcare benefits designed to support your well-being and provide the flexibility to manage your health proactively. One option to add to your ShareWELL membership is the Quest Select Service, which allows you to access over 1,200 lab services at no cost through any Quest Diagnostics location. This blog will guide you on how to get the most out of using Quest Select Service.

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At ShareWELL , we understand the importance of preventive care and early detection of potential health issues. That’s why we offer an annual Sharing Allowance for our members with the ShareWELL Plus membership to use towards Life Line Screening services. Here’s everything you need to know about Life Line Screening and how to benefit from it as a ShareWELL member.

What is Life Line Screening?

Life Line Screening is a company that provides affordable, convenient, and non-invasive preventive health screenings. These screenings help identify risk factors for various health conditions, enabling early intervention and management.

Key Services Offered by Life Line Screening:

1. Cardiovascular Screenings:

• • Carotid Artery Screening: Detects plaque buildup in the arteries that supply blood to the brain, which can help prevent strokes.
  • Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) Screening: Identifies blockages in the leg arteries, which can indicate an increased risk for heart disease.
  • Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening: Checks for an enlargement of the aorta, the main artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

1. Bone Health Screenings:

1. • Osteoporosis Risk Assessment: Ultrasound technology is used to measure bone density and assess the risk of osteoporosis.

1. Other Screenings:

• • Atrial Fibrillation Screening: Detects irregular heartbeats, which can lead to stroke.
  • Type 2 Diabetes Screening: Assesses risk factors for diabetes through blood glucose levels.

Benefits of Life Line Screening:

1. Early Detection: Identifying health risks early allows timely intervention and management, potentially preventing serious health issues.
2. Peace of Mind: Knowing your health status can provide reassurance and help you make informed health decisions.
3. Convenience: Screenings are conducted at local community locations, making accessing these important services easy.
4. Comprehensive Results: Receive detailed reports that you can share with your healthcare provider to develop a personalized health plan.

Annual Sharing Allowance for ShareWELL Members

At age 40, ShareWELL members are eligible for an annual Sharing Allowance of $249 for Life Line Screening services. This allowance helps cover the cost of screenings, making it more affordable to take advantage of these preventive health measures.

How to Use Your Sharing Allowance

1. Schedule an Appointment: Visit lifelinescreening.com to schedule your screening. You can book online, by phone, or via mail.
2. Attend the Screening: Go to the designated location on your appointment date and complete the selected screenings.
3. Submit for Sharing: Submit the expenses to ShareWELL Health after your screening.

Preventive health screenings are a vital part of maintaining good health and well-being. Using your annual Sharing Allowance towards Life Line Screening services, you can take proactive steps to monitor your health and address potential issues early.

For more information and resources, visit our website or contact us directly.

The post Boost Your Health With Preventive Services & LifeLine Screening appeared first on ShareWELL.

Navigating a Health Procedure with ShareWELL

Facing a medical procedure can feel overwhelming, especially without a clear plan. At ShareWELL, we’re committed to guiding you through every step. Our advocacy team is here to support you, whether helping you communicate with providers, quickly setting up self-pay arrangements, sending documents, or coordinating cost negotiations. Your active involvement remains crucial, particularly for planned procedures where time sensitivity can impact your care and costs. While ShareWELL Partners will move swiftly on your behalf, provider offices often work slowly, making prompt cooperation essential.

Step 1: Submit a Sharing Request

As soon as your doctor recommends a procedure, submit your Sharing Request. Acting early gives you the best chance to:

• Coordinate smoothly with providers and ShareWELL Partners

• Lock in discounted or bundled rates

• Resolve billing issues before they disrupt care

• Reduce stress leading up to your procedure

The sooner we begin, the more options we have to protect your time, health, and finances.

Step 2: Choose the Right Setting for Your Care

One of the biggest ways to save is by choosing the right place for your procedure. Whenever possible, ShareWELL encourages members to consider ambulatory or surgical centers outside of large hospital systems.

Why?

• Lower costs – Hospital systems often add significant overhead charges, while surgical centers provide the same procedures at a fraction of the price.

• High quality – Many centers specialize in specific procedures, leading to excellent outcomes and efficient care.

• Faster process – Billing and scheduling are often simpler and more transparent than hospital systems.

Our advocacy team can help you identify these options, compare prices, and even reduce your Unshared Amount (UA) when you choose cost-conscious providers.

Step 3: Eligibility Review

Once your sharing request is submitted, we’ll begin the eligibility review. You may be asked to sign a HIPAA form so we can request the necessary medical records. Eligibility decisions are based on ShareWELL’s Member Guidelines. Timely cooperation in providing documents and signatures is essential to avoid delays.

Step 4: Identify as a Self-Pay Patient

Let your provider know you are a self-pay patient right away. This unlocks transparent, upfront pricing and avoids inflated charges. ShareWELL’s advocacy team can offer instruction on how to communicate with providers and secure clear estimates.

Step 5: Meeting Your UA (Unshared Amount)

Once your procedure is deemed eligible for sharing, you’ll need to meet your Unshared Amount (UA), which is the portion of costs you’re responsible for. You can pay this directly to ShareWELL or your provider. Our team is ready to assist if you have questions or need help navigating this step.

Step 5: Prepayment and Bill Submission

As a self-pay patient, prepayment is almost always required, and that’s exactly how we want it. Prepaying for your procedure, which includes physician, facility, and anesthesia bills, typically results in significantly better pricing and a smoother experience overall. It simplifies the process, eliminating the need to handle bills after the procedure.

To move forward, request a Good Faith Estimate outlining the expected charges from your provider. Our team may initiate attorney-led negotiations to advocate for a fair bundled rate if the estimate seems unreasonably high. We can commit to working on your behalf promptly with your cooperation. Since providers often respond slowly and multiple departments may be involved, your fast response makes a major difference.

Choosing a Provider with ShareWELL – UA Reduction Program

ShareWELL gives you the flexibility to choose your provider—traditional or nontraditional. Sometimes, members who go the extra mile to help control costs may qualify for a UA reduction. These actions include:

• Choosing providers or centers with transparent, fair pricing

• Traveling to lower-cost facilities when possible

• Responding quickly during the negotiation process

Our advocacy team can help you explore options and connect with providers who meet these criteria.

Final Thoughts

ShareWELL is here to support you every step of the way. Our advocacy team stands ready to assist with provider communication, document coordination, and payment arrangements. But your role is just as important, especially when procedures are time-sensitive or billing issues arise. The sooner we receive what we need, the more effectively we can help you secure fair pricing and high-quality care.

If you have questions or need help, reach out to our Member Success team or visit our website for more resources.

The post Navigating Your Next Planned Procedure appeared first on ShareWELL.

Understanding your rights when navigating healthcare costs can make a significant difference. One such right is your entitlement to a Good Faith Estimate (GFE). At ShareWELL, we believe that transparency and education empower our members to make the best decisions for their care.

What is a Good Faith Estimate?

A Good Faith Estimate (GFE) is documentation that healthcare providers and facilities must provide if you’re uninsured or self-pay, detailing the expected costs for medical items and services. This estimate gives you a clearer picture of what you might pay, helping you make informed decisions about your healthcare.

Key Points of a Good Faith Estimate:

• Transparency – Provides a breakdown of expected costs before you receive the service.
• Preventing Surprises – Helps avoid unexpected medical bills by giving you an upfront idea of potential charges.
• Comparison Shopping – Enables you to compare costs between providers and choose the one that best fits your budget.

Your Right to a Good Faith Estimate

The No Surprises Act, effective January 1, 2022, guarantees your right to receive a Good Faith Estimate (GFE) before care is provided. In practice, some providers deliver this information quickly and clearly, while others may require additional follow-up. The most valuable type of GFE is one that includes a detailed, itemized breakdown of services and anticipated charges. Whenever possible, request that both you and your provider sign the estimate—this creates a mutual understanding of costs and adds a layer of protection against unexpected or inflated billing later on.

How to Request a Good Faith Estimate

To request a GFE, you can:

• Contact your healthcare provider directly,

• Request it when scheduling an appointment, or

• Use online patient portals if available.

• Present to your provider as uninsured or self-pay

When requesting, specify all services you expect to need, since the estimate should cover related costs such as surgeon’s fees, facility fees, and ancillary services.

A Note on Maternity Sharing Requests

For maternity Sharing Requests, ShareWELL has clear guidelines to help members and providers navigate costs. Please review our Maternity Brochure for details on eligibility, allowances, and submission requirements.

At your first visit with your OBGYN, we recommend requesting a global maternity package and asking if it can be itemized. An itemized package provides greater clarity on costs for prenatal visits, delivery, and postpartum care, making it easier for ShareWELL to apply your maternity allowances accurately. Not all providers will supply an itemized package, but requesting one early helps avoid surprises and gives you the best chance of maximizing your benefits.

When a provider offers a global maternity package that is not itemized (and includes prenatal care, delivery, and postpartum visits), ShareWELL applies a standard deduction so allowances stretch further:

• $2,000 deduction for a vaginal delivery

• $3,000 deduction for a C-section delivery

This process helps ensure members’ pre- and postnatal allowances remain available for additional maternity needs outside of the bundled package.

Support and Guidance

Our ShareWELL Member Support Team is here to guide you through requesting a GFE, submitting a Sharing Request, and understanding your benefits. We’re committed to making the process as transparent and stress-free as possible.

For additional resources, explore:

👉 Navigating Your Next Planned Procedure
👉 Navigating ER Visits

Final Thoughts

Understanding your right to a Good Faith Estimate is key to managing healthcare costs effectively. And for those preparing for maternity, knowing how global packages are handled ensures your Sharing Request is processed smoothly and fairly.

At ShareWELL, our goal is to support you with the tools, resources, and advocacy you need to confidently navigate your healthcare journey.

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One of The Best Business Decisions I’ve Made

When I first considered moving away from providing traditional health insurance for my employees, I had my doubts. It felt counterintuitive. For years, providing group health insurance felt like the “right thing” to do as an employer. But rising costs, employee dissatisfaction, and the growing administrative burden made me question whether it truly benefited my team—or my business. Looking back, this shift was one of the smartest decisions I’ve ever made.

Here’s why stepping out of the benefits business was the right move and a transformative one for our company and our employees.

Empowering Employees with Choice

When we transitioned away from providing traditional health insurance, we gave our employees the freedom to choose coverage that worked best for them. Some opted for Health Share programs like ShareWELL, which offered a unique alternative to traditional plans for those who were a good fit. Others purchased plans on the healthcare exchange, where many qualified for financial assistance that significantly reduced their premiums—or even covered them entirely.

This freedom gave employees the power to tailor their healthcare to their specific needs and budgets, a stark contrast to the frustration they felt with the one-size-fits-all group plans we had previously offered.

Improving Employee Satisfaction

One of the driving factors behind this decision was recognizing that our employees didn’t truly appreciate the group plans we were providing. Each year, as rates increased and benefits diminished, frustration among our team grew. Employees often expressed dissatisfaction with us despite our best efforts to offer something valuable.

By empowering them to find and choose their own coverage, we changed the dynamic. Employees became more vested in their decisions and more informed about their options. Instead of feeling stuck with a plan that didn’t meet their needs, they now had control—and that control made all the difference.

Providing Support Along the Way

We didn’t leave our employees to navigate this change alone. To ease the transition, we brought in a local healthcare expert who served as a resource for employees needing guidance in selecting their plans. This ensured they had access to professional advice and felt supported throughout the process.

This small step of providing direction reinforced that we were still invested in their well-being, even if we weren’t directly managing their health benefits anymore.

Financial Wins for Everyone

One of the most immediate benefits was financial relief—for both the company and our employees. Without the burden of group insurance costs, we could give employees raises, redistributing some of the savings directly to them. This helped them cover their healthcare expenses and gave them extra flexibility in how to use the additional income.

For employees, the cost of coverage often dropped by half or more. Many who qualified for subsidies on the exchange could secure coverage at little to no cost.

Streamlining Operations

Another unexpected benefit was the reduction in administrative overhead. Managing healthcare benefits has been a complex and time-consuming process for our HR team. From plan renewals to compliance and employee inquiries, it often felt like we were running a mini insurance office on top of our actual business.

When we stepped away from providing health insurance, those responsibilities disappeared. Fewer internal resources were needed to manage benefits, allowing my team to refocus on what truly matters—our core business.

The Best Decision for Our Team

Ultimately, this decision improved our workplace. Employees were happier, more informed, and better equipped to manage their own healthcare. They appreciated our support and valued the increased control and flexibility.

Leaving traditional health insurance behind wasn’t easy, but it was right for us. It saved money, reduced administrative burdens, and, most importantly, empowered our employees to make informed choices that worked best for them.

Sometimes, rethinking the “standard” is the key to creating something better—for everyone.

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When it comes to getting lab work done, most people assume that having insurance is the only way to afford it. But what if I told you that going the self-pay route—skipping insurance entirely—could actually save you money? That’s right! By paying directly and using the right strategies, you can significantly cut costs on essential lab tests while maintaining quality and accuracy.

This blog will walk you through the most affordable ways to get your lab work done without insurance, where to go, and how to make the most of direct-to-consumer lab services like Ulta Labs, Grassroots Labs, Quest Diagnostics, and Labcorp.

Why Skipping Insurance for Lab Work Can Save You Money

Most people don’t realize that insurance-negotiated lab test prices are often higher than self-pay prices. The reason? Insurance companies negotiate set rates with labs and providers, which frequently include administrative fees, processing costs, and sometimes even markups that make your final bill much higher than expected.

When you go the self-pay route, you can:

• Avoid surprise bills (no unexpected “adjustments” from insurance).
• See upfront pricing before getting the test.
• Compare costs across different labs to find the best price.
• Skip unnecessary doctor’s visits (which also saves money!).

By bypassing insurance and ordering lab tests directly, you’re in control of your healthcare spending—and often, you’ll pay less than someone using insurance!

How to Get the Lowest Prices on Lab Work Without Insurance

1. Order Your Lab Tests Online First

One of the best ways to save money on lab work is by ordering your tests online before heading to the lab. Websites like Ulta Labs, Grassroots Labs, and DirectLabs offer pre-negotiated prices on common lab tests, sometimes at a fraction of the cost you’d pay through insurance.

These online platforms let you:

✔ Choose from hundreds of lab tests (blood work, hormone panels, cholesterol checks, etc.).

✔ Pay a low upfront price without hidden fees.

✔ Take your test order to a major lab like Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp for collection.

This approach ensures you lock in a low price before even stepping foot in a lab.

2. Use Independent Lab Companies Instead of Hospitals or Doctors’ Offices

Another way to save big? Avoid doing lab work at a hospital or through your doctor’s office.

Here’s why:

• Hospitals charge significantly higher rates for the same lab tests you can get elsewhere.
• Doctors’ offices often mark up the cost of tests because they act as the “middleman” between you and the lab.

Instead, go directly to labs like:

🔹 Quest Diagnostics – Nationwide lab offering a wide range of tests.

🔹 Labcorp – Another leading lab with affordable pricing for direct-pay customers.

By choosing an independent lab instead of a hospital-based facility, you’ll dramatically cut costs while still getting high-quality testing.

3. Compare Prices Across Different Labs

Prices for lab tests can vary significantly depending on where you go. For example, a basic CBC (Complete Blood Count) test can cost:

• $15 at Grassroots Labs
• $25 at Ulta Labs
• $50+ at Quest or Labcorp if paying full price (without pre-ordering online)
• $200+ at a doctor’s office or hospital

This is why shopping around and using direct-to-consumer lab services like Grassroots and Ulta Labs can lead to major savings.

4. Pay with a Health Savings Account (HSA)

Even if you’re paying out of pocket, you can still use tax-advantaged accounts like an HSA (Health Savings Account) or FSA (Flexible Spending Account) to pay for lab tests.

This helps you:

✔ Use pre-tax dollars to cover lab expenses.

✔ Reduce your overall healthcare costs.

✔ Pay directly without going through insurance.

Many online lab providers accept HSA/FSA payments, making saving even easier. Don’t have a plan that would qualify for contributions to an HSA account? Check out options for self-employed and entrepreneurs. 

Real-Life Savings Example

Let’s say you need a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) and a lipid panel to check your cholesterol.

Here’s what you might pay using different methods:

• Hospital or doctor’s office with insurance → $150–$400 (after insurance adjustments).
• Quest or Labcorp without pre-ordering online → $60–$100.
• Ulta Labs or Grassroots Labs (ordering online first) → $25–$35.

That’s a savings of up to 80% just by skipping insurance and ordering online!

The Bottom Line: Be Your Own Advocate & Save on Lab Work

Getting lab work without insurance doesn’t have to be expensive. By using direct-pay options, ordering online ahead of time, and choosing independent labs, you can significantly lower your costs—often paying less than someone using insurance.

🔹 Order online through Ulta Labs, Grassroots Labs, or DirectLabs.

🔹 Go to Quest Diagnostics or LabCorp instead of a hospital or doctor’s office.

🔹 Compare prices and take advantage of discounts.

🔹 Use HSA/FSA funds to make payments more affordable.

By following these simple steps, you can take control of your healthcare and get the lab tests you need—without breaking the bank! 💰💉

The post How to Get Lab Work Done Without Insurance—and Save Money! appeared first on ShareWELL.

We understand that being a Health Share member is new for many ShareWELL members, and accessing care can initially seem intimidating, especially during an emergency. Rest assured, we’re here to guide you through every step of your emergency room visit as a self-pay patient.

Step 1: Declare Yourself as a Self-Pay Patient

As a ShareWELL member, you’ll be considered a self-pay patient. This status allows you to take advantage of self-pay discounts and ensures you’re billed directly for any expenses related to your visit. When hospital staff ask for your insurance or ID card, simply let them know you’re self-pay and request that the bill be sent directly to you. Keep in mind you won’t need to make any payments that day. The hospital will provide you with the bill by mail or through a patient online portal, and we’ll guide you in handling it once it arrives.

Step 2: Open a Sharing Request

After your emergency room visit, opening a Sharing Request with ShareWELL is important as soon as possible. This step is essential to start the determination process for sharing with the ShareWELL community.

To submit a Sharing Request, visit:

Submitting a Sharing Request

Step 3: Confirming Your Bill’s Eligibility

Once you’ve submitted your Sharing Request, we will review it to determine eligibility for sharing. You may need to sign a HIPAA form, which permits us to gather the necessary medical records from your provider. Review the Member Guidelines to ensure your expenses qualify for sharing.

Step 4: Negotiations

ShareWELL Partners will evaluate the bills for accuracy and fair pricing. Do not pay your bill until we notify you to do so. This allows our team to assess whether there’s an opportunity to negotiate for better pricing or resolve billing issues.

Our negotiation process may include:

• Instructing you when and how to pay your Unshared Amount (UA)

• Reviewing bills for duplicate charges, errors, or inflated pricing

• Identifying additional self-pay resources to reduce costs

• Engaging in attorney-led negotiations, when appropriate

If we determine that negotiation support is possible, we’ll guide you through providing all necessary documents, including itemized bills and financial records. Your timely response is vital. ShareWELL members are expected to act quickly when our team requests information or signatures so we can advocate effectively on your behalf.

Step 5: Submit Your Bills and Communications

Emergency room visits often generate multiple bills from providers, including the hospital, emergency physicians, radiology, and lab services. Please submit all bills and any communications you receive to ShareWELL.

• Itemized bills
• Provider statements
• Self-pay status determinations
• Visit notes
• Payment receipts (if applicable)

Complete submissions allow us to process your request quickly and ensure your eligible expenses are handled properly.

We know emergencies can be stressful, but following these steps will help make the process more manageable. Declare yourself as a self-pay patient, submit your Sharing Request promptly, allow our team to evaluate and negotiate your bills, and provide all documentation in a timely manner. By working together, you can make the most of your ShareWELL membership and secure fair pricing with less stress

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“A Tale of Jane and Jill”

Jane and Jillian are both excitedly preparing for the arrival of their babies, embracing a holistic approach to pregnancy. They have chosen homebirths and are supported by doulas—both committed to making their pregnancy journeys as natural and personal as possible. However, while their prenatal and birthing plans are nearly identical, their financial experiences are drastically different, highlighting the stark contrast between ShareWELL’s healthcare-sharing model and traditional plans.

As a ShareWELL member, Jane’s healthcare journey is smooth and financially manageable. With a $1,500 Unshared Amount (UA) in place, Jane begins her prenatal care knowing precisely what her out-of-pocket expenses will be. ShareWELL operates by having members cover an initial portion of their medical costs, known as the Unshared Amount, and anything beyond that is shared among the community, making healthcare more affordable for everyone involved.

Throughout her pregnancy, Jane is diligent about managing her costs. By choosing providers that align with her financial goals and utilizing ShareWELL’s support, she successfully keeps her healthcare expenses under $10,000. Because of this, Jane even qualifies for a reduction in her UA, lowering it to just $500. This benefit is a huge relief, making an already positive experience even better financially and emotionally. ShareWELL’s model has allowed Jane to enjoy the pre and postnatal care she prefers (acupuncture, chiropractic, and pelvic floor exercises) with a financial safety net of the community that alleviates the burden of unexpected or excessive costs.

In contrast, Jillian’s experience with traditional coverage is far more expensive and stressful. Despite opting for the same holistic services as Jane—homebirth and doula support—Jillian faces a much heavier financial burden. Her plan comes with a $7,000 deductible, meaning she must pay this substantial amount out of pocket before her insurance covers anything. On top of that, there are additional expenses that fall outside of her plan’s coverage, quickly adding up and putting further strain on her budget. When Jillian has paid for all her prenatal and birthing costs, she’s dealing with a significant financial load that clouds an otherwise joyful experience.

While both moms experience healthy pregnancies and births, their financial journeys are worlds apart. Thanks to ShareWELL, Jane can focus on her pregnancy without the looming stress of overwhelming costs. Her journey is supported by the healthcare providers she trusts and a community-based model that promotes financial sustainability. ShareWELL’s healthcare-sharing program empowers Jane to choose the care that best fits her needs without fear of hidden expenses or escalating costs.

On the other hand, Jillian must juggle the joy of impending motherhood with the anxiety of mounting medical bills. Her traditional plan, with its high deductible and limited coverage for holistic care, results in a much more stressful and expensive journey.

Ultimately, the difference between Jane’s and Jillian’s experiences highlights the distinct advantages of ShareWELL’s model. By offering a more flexible, compassionate, and affordable approach to healthcare, ShareWELL provides moms like Jane with the financial peace of mind they need to fully embrace one of life’s most important moments: the birth of their child.

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