Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

NOTICE
Emerg-e-share is a non-indemnity mutual sharing program, and should not be used as one's sole means of
risk mitigation.

Q: What it the difference between Emerg-e-Share and Insurance

A: The Difference lies in the difference between Contractual Indemnity Insurance (INSURANCE) & Cooperative Risk Management (EMERG-E-SHARE). Both INSURANCE and EMERG-E-SHARE work on the same basic premise. Both pool monies from all participants and disperse the monies out of a pool fund to assist all participants in the time of need, but that is where the similarity ends. Insurance is provided at a price that will provide a needed service to policy holders while also providing profits to stockholders of the INSURANCE company. Also INSURANCE tries to exclude risks that may deplete these profits by trying to choose only those groups of people who are “good” risks. This process is often called “skimming.” Through well-thought-out and sometimes complex contracts, INSURANCE seeks to provide some level of reimbursement (indemnity) but only under certain conditions and exclusions. INSURANCE is great for Major Medical Care, but for average healthcare needs INSURANCE is often cost prohibitive.

EMERG-E-SHARE, on the other hand is cooperative. That is, distribution of funds is mutual. It is not based on a contract, but on need and available cash in the fund. EMERG-E-SHARE is not-for-profit centered so after staff and expenses are paid, there are no stockholders looking to make a profit. This means that EMERG-E-SHARE cost less to operate. So in essence, while INSURANCE guards the dispersion of funds to preserve profits, EMERG-E-SHARE simply screens validity of needs so that funds can be freely and fully dispersed on a monthly basis. INSURANCE is based on providing a service while preserving profits, EMERG-E-SHARE is based on Cooperative Pro-Rata Mutual Sharing which has as its goal meeting human need, period.

Q: What is Cooperative Pro-Rata Mutual Sharing?

A: The goal of Emerg-e-Share is to pay or reimburse 100% of all needs of members, it is possible, however, for more requests to come in than there is money in the fund. This is no different than what happens to an insurance company after a severe natural disaster where needs exceed surplus funds. Unlike insurance, however, which must often stall claims payment to preserve surplus, and protect the financial well being of company stockholders, Emerg-e-Share is based on not-for-profit Mutual Sharing principles. In other words, Emerg-e-Share doesn’t have to protect the financial well-being of stockholders, so it disperses up to 90% of all funds available at any given time fairly and evenly according to need. So, if more requests come in than there is money, no one is denied reimbursement or payment using claims denial strategy to protect company surplus, instead everyone receives the proportional amount of their individual need in accordance to the percentage of money available versus the needs presented. As an example: if the needs requests equaled $10,000.00 and the amount in the fund equaled $9,000.00, everyone would receive 90% of their request. No one would be denied their Pro-rata amount of funds for a legitimate need request. Also, there are year-end make-up provisions in the plan to reimburse the members that had their need pro-rated in a given year.

Q: Can the EMERG-E-SHARE Fund Run Out of Money?

A: No! Pro-rata sharing is the funds management difference between INSURANCE and EMERG-E-SHARE. If more requests come in than there is money in the fund each request is pro-rated so that the fund is never depleted. This allows everyone with a need to never be turned down. They will always receive the full or substantial portion of their need, even for prescriptions and preventive care up to the set limits on Approved Requests. Also, special cases can be considered for sharing which is non-existent in INSURANCE contracts. If the need is legitimate and verifiable, Emerg-e-Share can usually help the member. Also, to insure viability of the fund 10% reserve is always maintained in the fund. This is the same reserve that banks are required to have to lend money. EMERG-E-SHARE uses a membership agreement not a contract and a Bonded Funds Manager, instead of a “Claims Department”, and a Member Oversight Committee instead of a stockholder and board of directors to insure proper use of funds. The Bonded Funds Manager can be criminally prosecuted if they allow funds to be inappropriately dispersed.

Q: What If I get less when I make a request than I have put in ?

A: As with insurance, that is always a possibility, but If this happens on your first request in your first year due to prorating and the share amount should have been greater than your Annual Share Amount, you can exercise the SATISFACTION GUARANTEE and all of your Annual Share Amount but not the Annual Membership Fee paid in your first year will be refunded as explained in the guarantee. We want you to be happy with the plan, if you're not, you are free to terminate the program. After the first year, the refund of Annual Share Amounts will not be available.

Q: What are the “Approved Requests” ?

A: Up to Two (2) requests yearly for any one or a combination of the items listed below
depending on the plan you choose in light of the following excluded items.

Medical Care
Dental
Chiropractic
Counseling
Disability
Natural Disaster Relief
Medical or Property deductibles

Excluded Items/Treatments/Procedures:

Non-Reconstructive Cosmetic Surgery, Cosmetic Dentistry, Sex Change Surgeries, Abortion, or Abortion inducing pharmaceuticals or treatment associated therewith, Non-medically necessary sterilization procedures (i.e. vasectomies, tying of fallopian tubes), Birth Control paraphernalia and supplies, Non-licensed alternative medicine, procedures or nutritional supplements, Treatment for sexually transmitted diseases especially HIV AIDS, Drug and alcohol abuse treatment or counseling, Self-inflicted injuries, Job loss due to inappropriate behavior, Request in excess of $49,000 in one year, More than 2 request in one year.

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