Healthcare decisions are personal, and so are the financial trade-offs that go with them. A healthy 28-year-old freelancer and a family of five with two kids in braces do not have the same priorities. Liberty HealthShare, the Canton, Ohio-based nonprofit healthcare sharing ministry, built its program lineup with that range of circumstances in mind.
"We've got a number of programs so that somebody can select whatever works best for their family," said Chief Executive Officer Dorsey Morrow. "With a healthcare sharing ministry and Liberty HealthShare in particular, you can join our membership, and if you determine it doesn't work for you, you're not locked into it."
Six medical cost-sharing programs, each structured around different monthly share amounts and Annual Unshared Amount (AUA) levels, give members the ability to match their contribution to their situation. Suggested monthly share amounts for individuals range from $87 to $369, with family programs beginning at $319 per month.
Before You Compare: Understanding the Basics
Two terms appear across every Liberty HealthShare program and are worth understanding before reviewing any specific option.
The Annual Unshared Amount (AUA) is the amount of an eligible need that does not qualify for sharing. A higher AUA generally corresponds to a lower suggested monthly share amount.
The Co-Share is the percentage of eligible medical bills a member with that program option contributes after the AUA has been met. Not every program carries a Co-Share. The breakdown, per Liberty HealthShare's program guidelines, is as follows:
- Liberty Essential: 20% Co-Share after AUA is met
- Liberty Connect: 10% Co-Share after AUA is met
- Liberty Unite: No Co-Share
- Liberty Assist: No Co-Share
- Liberty Rise: No Co-Share
- Liberty Freedom: No Co-Share
Members who prefer lower monthly share amounts may accept a sharing program with a Co-Share. Those who want the most predictable out-of-pocket exposure after the AUA has been met typically gravitate toward programs with no Co-Share.
The Six Programs at a Glance
Liberty Essential
Liberty Essential sits at the entry point of the Liberty HealthShare program lineup, with the lowest suggested monthly share amounts available. Members have a 20% Co-Share on eligible expenses once their AUA is met. Telehealth access through DialCare Urgent Care is included, with up to five free visits per person on the membership eligible for sharing in full each year.
Liberty Connect
Liberty Connect reduces the Co-Share to 10% while stepping up the monthly share amount from Liberty Essential. Telehealth through DialCare is included on the same terms — five free visits per person per year. Members who want moderate monthly contributions, but less exposure to out-of-pocket responsibility at the time of a medical need often consider this tier.
Liberty Unite
Liberty Unite carries no Co-Share. Once a member meets the AUA, Liberty HealthShare facilitates sharing of eligible remaining expenses without the member contributing an additional percentage at the time of service. Telehealth remains included at five free visits per person annually.
Liberty Assist
Liberty HealthShare reduced the AUA for Liberty Assist by two-thirds earlier in 2025, bringing it to $500, which is a significant change in out-of-pocket exposure for members aged 65 and older who are enrolled in Medicare parts A and B. No Co-Share applies. Telehealth through DialCare is available, though Assist members pay a $55 per-visit fee directly to the provider rather than having visits shared in full.
Liberty Rise
Liberty Rise, designed for young people ages 18 to 29, carries no Co-Share and saw its suggested monthly share contribution reduced by 19% in May 2025, dropping to $99. That pricing puts Liberty Rise among the more accessible entry points in the Liberty HealthShare program portfolio should the applicant be in the age-range. Telehealth access is available at the same $55 per-visit fee structure as Liberty Assist.
Liberty Freedom
Liberty Freedom is for those under the age of 35 and carries no Co-Share. Telehealth through DialCare is not available to Liberty Freedom members, nor to members residing in Vermont. For members who infrequently use telehealth services and desire sharing in the event of an eligible catastrophic medical event Liberty Freedom provides a no-Co-Share option at the lower end of the contribution range, just $89 a month for an individual.
What All Programs Share
Across all six programs, Liberty HealthShare members retain the freedom to choose any healthcare provider. The ministry encourages use of providers who participate in the PHCS network — one of the largest in the country to help manage medical expenses, but no program restricts members to a defined network.
Annual preventive wellness visits and related lab work for which there are no medical symptoms or diagnoses in advance are eligible for sharing up to $500 after the first two months of membership, and are not subject to the AUA. Preventive screenings including pap smears, PSA tests, Cologuard, and screening mammograms for women 40 and older are eligible for sharing under specific frequency guidelines, also without application to the AUA.
Enrollment in Liberty HealthShare is open year-round. There are no special qualifying events required, and members are not locked into annual commitments. A member who joins Liberty Rise today and later determines Liberty Unite better fits their needs can switch accordingly on their annual renewal date.
Supplemental Options Worth Noting
Members across all six programs can add Liberty Dental, the ministry's supplemental dental sharing program, with suggested monthly share amounts beginning at $35. Members can use any licensed dentist — no network restrictions apply. Liberty Vision is also available as a supplemental add-on for individuals, couples, and families, starting at $7 per month for individuals.
How to Choose
"There's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to healthcare," Morrow noted. "We understand that."
Members who expect frequent medical needs and want minimal financial exposure at the point of service may prefer programs with lower AUAs and no Co-Share, even if those come with higher monthly share amounts. Members who are generally healthy and primarily want a community-supported option for larger or unexpected eligible medical expenses may find that a higher AUA with a lower monthly share amount suits their circumstances.
For a full side-by-side program comparison based on age and family size, Liberty HealthShare's website walks through each option in detail. Members and prospective members can also reach the ministry directly at 855-585-4237.
