Member Principles & Commitments

Membership in the Sedera Medical Cost Sharing Community, a Covenant Healthshare Inc. Benevolence fund, requires agreeing to all of the following commitments of this section as well as completing the online enrollment flow. As long as Members continue to meet these requirements and fulfill all membership duties as determined by the Board of Directors, their membership will continue. If at any time a Member no longer meets all these membership requirements, they must notify Sedera immediately, and their Sedera MCS Community membership and all privileges will cease, unless otherwise indicated. While Member health status has no effect on eligibility for membership, there are limitations on the sharing of Needs for some conditions that existed prior to the membership effective date. See Sections 6-7 of the Membership Guidelines for a detailed list of shareable and non-shareable Needs.

The Members of the Sedera Medical Cost Sharing Community (the “Community”) are united by a shared faith in the following beliefs and principles. As a demonstration of these beliefs and principles, we have decided to come together to support each other and share medical needs according to the Guidelines with all-comers from all backgrounds, nationalities, ethnicities, and races, as long as each Member accepts the beliefs of this Community as outlined in these Ethical Beliefs and Principles: 

1. We share a faith in each other and in the strength of our Community. 

2. We are committed to the idea of assisting one another, believing that strengthening the well-being of all humanity, both in the present and the future, is a virtuous pursuit. Moreover, we see it as our moral and ethical duty to willingly provide voluntary support to our fellow Community Members for their medical needs. 

3. The fundamental belief within our Community is that we support one another by sharing in the medical cost burdens of fellow members whenever possible and when resources are available. This commitment is rooted in the principle of treating others as we would want to be treated, as articulated in the saying, "Do unto others as you would have them do to you."

4. Our Community is guided by principles that encourage generosity in every aspect, with the aim of producing gratitude. We are dedicated to acts of benevolence, charity, and missions, both domestically and globally. We accomplish these acts of social responsibility through volunteer work and financial contributions, all supported by the integrity, honesty, and personal accountability of our Community members.

5. We place a strong emphasis on personal accountability, as we believe that each member of the Community is responsible for being good stewards of our resources to strengthen the Community. We believe in living out our beliefs and principles in our daily lives, as they guide us in the responsibility we have towards our collective well-being.

6. We firmly believe that our bodies are precious, and it is our duty to honor them. This belief stems from the principle that we are entrusted with our well-being, and we strive to maintain our physical and mental health. As a result, we are committed to avoiding the consumption of illegal substances and refraining from engaging in dangerous, illegal, and unlawful activities. These actions not only have an adverse impact on us but also affect the well-being of our Community as a whole. 

7. We are committed to the idea of maintaining good health as an essential part of our dedication. We strive for prosperity and well-being, mirroring the sentiment of valuing physical and mental health. To achieve this, we prioritize healthy practices, avoid harmful substances and addictive behaviors, and actively pursue a balanced and harmonious way of life.

8. We firmly believe it is our Community Members’ fundamental right to make our own health choices, and we believe in seeking guidance from knowledgeable healthcare professionals and advisors. We also believe in seeking spiritual guidance in making decisions about our health.

9. We fully embrace our fundamental rights, as provided and protected by the U.S. Constitution, to exercise our faith and values by coming together as a healthcare sharing ministry to bear each other’s medical burdens. We achieve this by commitment by directly and willingly sharing in the costs associated with our members’ healthcare. among our members. We strongly believe that our faith and values bring us together and that the shared accountability of our Community, allows for each individual to be supported by the Community with compassion.

10. Our Community believes in its collective ability to make educated, informed and knowledgeable consumer decisions that create value for themselves and the American healthcare system.

On behalf of myself and my household:

1. I have read and understand the Guidelines and am confirming that all of my answers in the application process are true and accurate and indicate my commitment to abide by the Guidelines. 

2. I acknowledge and comprehend that my participation in the Sedera Medical Cost Sharing Community is not insurance and is not provided or underwritten by any insurance provider. While every endeavor will be taken to facilitate the sharing of my medical expenses as a member, it is important to note that the Sedera Medical Cost Sharing Community, along with its partners and affiliates, cannot and do not guarantee payment for any medical bills.

3. I consent to engage in mediation and, if required, subsequent binding arbitration, in the event of any dispute arising between me and the Medical Cost Sharing Community or its affiliates, as elaborated in Section 3.D of the Guidelines. I hereby knowingly, willingly, and with full understanding, waive my right to a trial by jury to the maximum extent allowed by applicable law.  

4. I understand that as a participant of a benevolence fund of a medical cost sharing community, like this Cost Sharing Community, there is no guarantee of payment for any medical expenses by the community or other Members. The concept of a cost sharing community involves individuals coming together to collectively share the burden of medical costs. It operates on the premise that Members contribute towards each other's medical expenses. Consequently, the sharing of medical expenses is entirely dependent on the contributions of Members, and as a result, the corresponding medical expense requests from Members may lead to sharing being prorated or possibly unavailable in a particular month.

5. I pledge, in a spirit of the ethical principles and moral responsibility to the community, to abstain from the use of any illegal substances. I am aware that medical Needs or requests arising from engaging in activities that are illegal or in violation of federal law will not be eligible for sharing within the Medical Cost Sharing Community. 

6. As the head of household, I accept the responsibility to notify, educate and inform all persons listed on my application concerning their participation in the Community as well as their responsibilities, their obligation to the Community, and the basic constructs for sharing Needs Cases (If applicable).

7. I understand that my Monthly Member Contribution is composed of my Medical Cost sharing contribution plus any additional subscription services I elect to join alongside my Medical Cost Sharing membership. 

8. I confirm and affirm that I am legally capable of agreeing to these declarations, and I possess the full authority to make such acknowledgements on behalf of all household members.

9. I acknowledge that Community utilizes the contact details I've supplied for all forms of communication, and it is my responsibility to keep my email addresses, phone numbers, and mailing addresses accurate at all times. I grant the Medical Cost Sharing Community permission to use the provided contact information for any communication pertaining to my Community Membership. I am also aware that Membership may not be accessible in certain states or jurisdictions, and if I move to such an area, the Medical Cost Sharing Community reserves the right, at its discretion, to terminate my membership. You can find information on Sedera Medical Cost Sharing State Availability on the website.

1. I understand that participation with the cost-sharing Community will not be denied based on pre-existing medical conditions. However, any conditions pre-existing before joining the Community may not be eligible for sharing until specific membership longevity requirements have been fulfilled.

2. I recognize that community members are conscious of the fact that, when requesting sharing assistance from others, the Community follows the Guidelines to determine which expenses qualify for sharing. Members do not expect the Community to include costs associated with unverified treatments and tests, extremely expensive healthcare providers, or hospitals.

3. I pledge to wholeheartedly collaborate with the Community and its affiliated partners in evaluating the shareability of Needs Cases, including providing requested documents, signing required releases, and engaging in communication with my Needs Coordinator as needed.

4. I solemnly commit to upholding principles of honor and integrity in all my dealings within the Community. I am aware that presenting a fraudulent Needs Case, involving myself in deceptive actions, or assisting another Member's breach of trust may result in the termination of my Household's membership. Furthermore, the Community maintains the right to investigate all instances of fraudulent behavior and cooperate with law enforcement authorities to the maximum extent allowed by the law. 

5. I acknowledge the presence of a three-step internal appeals process detailed in Section 3.D.1. of the Guidelines and pledge to adhere to this process for all matters that require such escalations.

6. I acknowledge that my participation necessitates monthly contributions prior to accessing the cost-sharing membership services. Additionally, if I submit a Need, I understand and agree that any outstanding commitments related to my membership must be resolved before the Community can commence sharing. In essence, without a prior contribution, participation in community sharing is not possible.

WARNING: The Sedera Medical Cost Sharing Community, a Covenant HealthShare, Inc. Benevolence fund (hereinafter “Sedera”), is not an insurance company nor is it insurance.  Membership in Sedera is not issued or offered by an insurance company. Whether a member/household chooses to provide monetary assistance to you and/or your household to help with your medical expenses is entirely voluntary. Neither you nor Sedera  has any right to compel payment of medical cost sharing costs from any member. A membership with Sedera should never be considered similar to a group insurance policy or an individual insurance policy.

Transparency in Healthcare Sharing Ministry:

As a healthcare sharing ministry,  It is important to understand that these ministries are not insurance providers. Instead, they function as communities where members voluntarily contribute funds to assist fellow members with their medical expenses.

Unlike insurance policies, participation in a healthcare sharing ministry is entirely optional, and members decide whether or not to provide financial support to other members in need. Neither the individual seeking assistance nor the healthcare sharing ministry can demand or require payment from its members.

A healthcare sharing ministry should not be viewed as an insurance policy, either group or individual, as it operates on principles of voluntary financial assistance among its members. It's crucial to recognize these distinctions when considering participation in such a community.

In your capacity as a member of this Healthcare Sharing Ministry, it is crucial to understand that regardless of whether you receive financial assistance for medical expenses or if this membership continues to operate, you will always be personally responsible for any unpaid medical bills. You do not possess any legal entitlement to seek reimbursement or indemnification for such expenses from Sedera, Covenant Health Share Inc., or any other member or household.

This agreement does not constitute a legally binding commitment to reimburse or indemnify you for your incurred medical costs. Instead, it serves as an opportunity for you to assist fellow members in need and, when you find yourself in need, to present your medical bills to other members and households in accordance with the outlined Membership Guidelines. Any financial assistance received will be provided by fellow members and/or households that are managed through the Sedera Medical Cost Sharing Community, a Covenant HealthShare Inc. Benevolence fund.