Faith-based cost-sharing seemed like an alternative to health insurance, until the childbirth bills arrived

A nonprofit called Sedera bills itself as a medical cost-sharing service.

Members pay monthly fees that get pooled together, and the organization can use the money to reimburse members for medical bills.

The model has grown in popularity and revenue in the last decade , as insurance premiums and claim denials have risen.

Health care sharing ministries offer lower monthly costs than insurance premiums.

They aren’t required by law to limit out-of-pocket costs or maintain large cash reserves to cover members’ bills the way insurance companies are.

Many groups’ policies state that they’ll not reimburse for prescriptions, doctor’s visits, contraceptives or mental health or substance use services.

Christian Healthcare Ministries said its maternity policy “eliminates the possibility that someone might try to game’ the system by joining shortly before giving birth, having CHM members share funds to pay their medical expenses.

Liberty HealthShare has been a target of member complaints and a lawsuit in recent years .