America's HealthShare COMPANION: A Health Share for Medicare Members
How America's HealthShare COMPANION works for people 65+ on Medicare Parts A & B: price, $500 Annual Unshared Amount, Part B coinsurance sharing and limits.
Most health shares are built for people under 65. America's HealthShare COMPANION is aimed at people 65 and older who are already enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. It shares eligible out-of-pocket costs after Medicare processes your care.
COMPANION at a glance
From the programs page (opens in new tab) and guidelines (opens in new tab), as published when we checked:
| COMPANION | |
|---|---|
| Published starting price | $98/month |
| Eligibility | Age 65+, enrolled in Medicare Parts A & B |
| Membership type | Single only |
| Annual Unshared Amount | $500 |
| What's shared | Medicare Part B coinsurance for Medicare-approved services |
| Sharing limit | Up to $1 million per incident per year (guidelines); programs page says "unlimited sharing" |
| Pre-existing condition limits | Do not apply |
| Position | Always secondary to Medicare |
The programs page also lists telehealth visits, available dental and vision discounts and an optional $0 co-share generic Rx add-on. Note the different wording on sharing limits between the two documents; ask the ministry which applies before you join.
How it fits with Medicare
The programs page notes that Medicare leaves you responsible for 20% of your medical costs; for most Part B services, that 20% is coinsurance. COMPANION's purpose is to share that remaining amount for eligible care after Medicare pays. Services Medicare Parts A and B don't cover are listed as not eligible in the COMPANION section of the guidelines.
COMPANION vs. Medigap
Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance) is regulated insurance that helps pay costs Original Medicare doesn't (Medicare.gov (opens in new tab)). COMPANION is a health sharing program: no guarantee of payment and no state insurance regulation.
One practical point: under federal law you get a one-time, 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period that starts the first month you have Part B and are 65 or older. During it, insurers can't use medical underwriting to deny you. After it, you may not be able to buy a Medigap policy, or it may cost more, unless you have a guaranteed issue right (Medicare.gov (opens in new tab)). If you choose a health share during that window and later want Medigap, you may face underwriting.
Who COMPANION may suit
- Medicare members who share the ministry's values and want a lower-cost way to handle Part B coinsurance
- People comfortable with a $500 Annual Unshared Amount and the paperwork of sharing requests
Who should be cautious
- Anyone who wants guaranteed payment of Medicare cost-sharing
- Anyone who may want Medigap later and would face underwriting
For the full picture of the organization, see our America's HealthShare review.
Frequently asked questions
Is COMPANION a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan?
No. Medigap plans are insurance. COMPANION is a health sharing program, which is not insurance and does not guarantee payment (America's HealthShare (opens in new tab)). Compare carefully, especially if you might want Medigap later; see Medicare.gov (opens in new tab).
Who can join COMPANION?
People 65 or older who are enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B, as a single membership (guidelines (opens in new tab)).
Does COMPANION have pre-existing condition limits?
The guidelines say pre-existing condition limitations don't apply to COMPANION (guidelines (opens in new tab)).
Sources
- America's HealthShare Programs (opens in new tab) (America's HealthShare)
- Sharing Guidelines (COMPANION sections) (opens in new tab) (America's HealthShare (Melita Sharing Ministry, Inc.))
- Get Medigap Basics (opens in new tab) (Medicare.gov)
- Get ready to buy (Medigap Open Enrollment Period) (opens in new tab) (Medicare.gov)
Sources were accessed on October 9, 2026. Linked pages may have changed since then.