Rising Costs of Insurance Based Medicine. . . . Is There Another Option?
Are You Getting Your Money’s Worth from Your Current Insurance?
If the current federal budget bill passes, premiums for health insurance plans purchased through the Marketplace are expected to rise by an average of 114%, according to an analysis by KFF, a nonpartisan health policy research organization. This increase is due to the potential end of government subsidies that have helped make these plans more affordable. Without these subsidies, many Americans may find their current insurance plans simply unaffordable.
Health insurance costs have been rising steadily each year—not just in terms of premiums, but also deductibles (the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance begins to cover expenses). Many plans now function more like catastrophic coverage, only offering real financial help if a major medical event occurs. Routine visits, labs, and preventative care often end up going toward the deductible, with little coverage until you’ve already spent thousands.
But what if there were another option?
Health Sharing Plans—while not technically insurance—are an alternative worth considering. With these plans, you pay a monthly contribution, and once you’ve paid a set amount in healthcare costs, the plan helps cover the rest. Monthly costs for health shares are often a fraction of what you'd pay for traditional catastrophic insurance. The savings can instead be used to invest in quality, preventative healthcare.
The current insurance-driven healthcare system has also impacted the time providers spend with patients. On average, doctors now only spend seven minutes per office visit. That’s barely enough time to understand your concerns, let alone explore the root causes of your health issues or provide guidance on lifestyle and dietary changes.
Worse, much of a provider’s time is now consumed by meeting insurance and government data-reporting requirements. Many of these “quality-of-care” metrics have little to do with your actual needs or how good your doctor is—they're administrative hurdles that reduce meaningful patient care.
A More Personalized, Root-Cause Approach
Before enrolling in insurance for the coming year, we encourage you to explore alternatives like Zion HealthShare—which my own family uses and has been very satisfied with. Also consider working with providers who prioritize time, education, and root-cause medicine—like those at the Naturopathic Medical Clinic.
At our clinic, visits typically last 30–60 minutes. We take the time to fully evaluate your health, educate you on your individual risk factors, and help you identify and address the root causes of illness. Our focus is on empowering you with tools like diet, exercise, and lifestyle strategies—not just managing symptoms.
Here’s what our patients are saying:
“I can’t say enough about Dr Ellen Heinitz. She has been the best Doctor for my family and myself for years. Her commitment and compassion is unparalleled! She is the perfect blend of Naturopathic and western medicine. I love how she listens to all my home diagnoses and never dismisses my concerns. She spends so much time going over test results and treatments and is always going the extra mile with research or her time. I would highly recommend Dr Heinitz”
“From the moment I walked in, the team was warm and welcoming. Dr. Plunkett brings a grounded, compassionate presence. I feel hopeful and aligned in my care for the first time in years.”
“Dr. Plunkett takes the time to listen and answer questions. She is kind, professional, and very knowledgeable.”
“Dr. Heinitz is an amazing Dr! I’ve been blessed to have her care for many years. She is kind, compassionate, so very well versed in a variety of medical conditions and a delight to be with during appointments. It is clear her heart is with providing excellent medical care and she does it with much insight and skill!”
“Dr. Plunkett was incredibly thorough and even identified issues I wasn’t aware of. I finally feel like I’m getting the help I need.”
“I don’t remember ever having such a long and in-depth appointment.”
“It was such a gift to have Ellen Heinitz N.D. as my doctor during the years she practiced in Grants Pass. Dr. Heinitz exemplifies integrity, and compassion, is a first-rate Clinician and able to think outside of the box when needed. During a personal medical crisis, she saved me from an unnecessary surgery that could have impacted the rest of my life. She sent me to OHSU for correct diagnosis and treatment. Blessed are those that get to have Dr. Ellen Heinitz as their doctor.”
“First time I’ve felt a doctor actually listened and gave me real options for each issue.”
“For the first time in a long time, I felt like someone cared.”
"Dr. Ellen Heinitz is an amazing healthcare provider. She listens; she doesn't rush you. She makes wonderful suggestions about nutrition as well as health. I can't recommend her enough."
Conclusion
The rising cost of insurance and the system’s increasing demands on providers are affecting the quality and affordability of care. If you're re-evaluating your healthcare options, now is a good time to consider whether traditional insurance still serves your needs—or whether a health share combined with quality, patient-focused care might be the better path for you and your family.