April 1, 2020
OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler ordered OneShare Health LLC to stop selling insurance illegally in Washington state, effective immediately.
OneShare Health markets itself as a health care sharing ministry but fails to meet the legal definition under state law. It has nearly 1,100 members in the state who paid $1.2 million in premiums. Four members complained to Kreidler’s office about unpaid claims and attempts to cancel coverage.
“This is another sham health care sharing ministry that is preying on people who think they are buying health insurance,” said Kreidler. “The reality is that they are collecting hundreds of dollars a month from people and, in some cases, saddling them with 100% of their medical bills.”
OneShare Health LLC previously did business in Washington state using the names Kingdom HealthShare Ministries LLC and Unity Healthshare LLC.
From 2016 to 2018, OneShare Health’s insurance policies were sold by Aliera Healthcare Inc., which illegally acted as an insurance producer and an unregistered health care service contractor in Washington state. Kreidler ordered Aliera to stop doing business in Washington state and is seeking to fine the company $1 million pending the outcome of a hearing.
A legitimate health care sharing ministry is a nonprofit organization whose members have shared a common set of ethical or religious beliefs since 1999 and share medical expenses consistent with those beliefs. But these ministries typically provide limited coverage and exclude pre-existing medical conditions.
OneShare Health members in Washington state are eligible for a special enrollment through Washington state’s Health Benefit Exchange. They should notify the Exchange that they are replacing a health care sharing ministry plan to qualify for the special enrollment.
People in Washington state who have trouble with their health insurance can file a complaint with us.