A health care nonprofit that offers an alternative to traditional health insurance has filed for chapter 11 protection and ceased operations, leaving its New Hampshire members without coverage, The New Hampshire Union Leader reported. Sharity Ministries Inc. — formerly known as Trinity Healthshare Inc. — operates as a health care sharing ministry. Members pay premiums and voluntarily agree to share their medical expenses in accordance with their Christian beliefs, according to the company's previous website. In October 2019, the New Hampshire Insurance Department ordered Sharity, along with the Aliera Companies, which had administered and marketed the health coverage, to stop issuing new plans or renewing coverage in the state after receiving dozens of complaints. At the time, about 1,400 New Hampshire residents had signed up for the plans. Similar orders were issued in California, Connecticut, Colorado, Maryland, Missouri and Washington. Such cost-sharing models are less expensive than traditional health insurance but can leave customers vulnerable. Many thought they were signing up for health insurance, only to find their claims were denied because of preexisting conditions or the claims were deemed inappropriate for a "Christian lifestyle," according to the department. Sharity filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy on July 8, and later made the decision to cease operations.
