What is an IUA? Knew Health Explains

Embracing a new approach to healthcare can feel overwhelming, especially when exploring alternatives like medical cost-sharing. At Knew Health , we understand that journey. We're here to walk alongside you, making everything clear and approachable. The term "Initial Unshareable Amount"—or IUA—might be unfamiliar territory. Together, we'll explore what this means for you and your family's wellness journey. Think of this as your friendly guide—something you can return to whenever questions arise. We've gathered everything you need to know about IUAs right here, explained in a way that makes sense.

An 'Initial Unshareable Amount,' or IUA, represents the amount you contribute when a new Medical Need arises. When you join our Community, you'll select an IUA that feels right for your family's budget. Here's where it gets reassuring: once a medical event happens, you'll only contribute up to your chosen IUA amount. Our caring Community then shares the remaining eligible expenses together. It's important to understand that Knew Health is not health insurance—we're a Medical Cost Sharing Community where Members support each other through voluntary contributions.

While some compare an IUA to health insurance deductibles, the experience is refreshingly different:

• IUAs are continuous and don't reset every January 1st
• Once you meet your IUA, there are no additional copayments or coinsurance
• General wellness services aren't subject to your IUA
• An IUA applies per-Member, per-incident

We offer three IUA Membership options designed to fit different family needs: $1,000, $2,500, and $5,000. You can choose a Membership for yourself alone, with a spouse or child, or for your entire family. The IUA level you select applies to all participants in your household. Each Membership contribution is based on the age of the oldest Member. To explore all your options and find what works best for your family, visit our Knew Health Membership Options.

After considering who you'll include in your Membership and identifying your age range, you'll want to select an IUA that aligns with your family's financial comfort zone. Here's a helpful perspective: choosing a higher IUA means lower monthly contributions, while a lower IUA means higher monthly contributions. It's about finding that sweet spot where you feel both protected and financially comfortable.

If your medical expenses for a single Medical Need are less than your IUA level, you're responsible for those bills. Our Community begins sharing eligible expenses only after you've met your IUA. This straightforward approach helps everyone understand exactly what to expect.

Your IUA can include various expenses related to a medical event. These may be eligible for sharing:

• Ambulance services (ground and air)
• Hospital stays
• Surgery
• Imaging
• Emergency visits
• Blood work
• Medications for acute care
• Holistic treatments
• Recovery services
• Follow-up visits
• Maternity
• And more

Here's wonderful news: No! Your IUA doesn't follow the calendar year, so it never "resets" on January 1st. Instead, IUAs work continuously on a per-Member, per-incident basis. After meeting your IUA, the Community shares one hundred percent of eligible expenses related to that Medical Need. For example, if an unexpected injury happens in December, your medical expenses from December, January, and beyond that relate to that initial injury are all part of one Medical Need. You'll only contribute one IUA for that entire event.

Members have the flexibility to change their IUA level once during the year. This change applies to all household Members. Please note that lowering your IUA results in a 60-day waiting period for new Medical Needs (except for accidental emergencies). This helps maintain fairness across our Community.

There's no annual or lifetime maximum on eligible shareable amounts for any Member or Membership household. Knew Health has thoughtfully structured systems to handle large Medical Needs and has budgeted accordingly.

We also provide a safety net for households experiencing particularly challenging healthcare years. Households aren't responsible for more than three IUAs in a rolling 12-month period. This additional protection brings peace of mind when unexpected health challenges arise.

Great news here! General wellness services aren't subject to your IUA. Your Knew Health Membership includes access to routine wellness care as part of your benefits. Even better, you don't need to meet your IUA to access wellness services and general wellness care. We believe in supporting your proactive health choices.

Joining Knew Health and selecting an IUA option can lead to significant savings, especially during unexpected health events. Unlike health insurance where individuals often face copayments, coinsurance, and annual deductible resets, Knew Health's IUA approach offers simplicity and predictability. You'll know exactly what your maximum responsibility is for any Medical Need, bringing genuine financial peace of mind.

Plus, with access to our Self-Care Credit and focus on general wellness, many Members find they're investing in their health proactively rather than reactively managing illness.

Understanding Initial Unshareable Amounts (IUAs) empowers you to make confident healthcare decisions for your family. Unlike health insurance, our IUAs offer continuous protection without annual resets, providing flexibility and options tailored to your needs. With transparent sharing of eligible medical expenses and no annual or lifetime maximums, Knew Health helps you face healthcare costs with confidence. Remember, we're not health insurance—we're a Community of Members supporting each other through life's health challenges. Choosing Knew Health means embracing an affordable, heart-centered healthcare solution that brings genuine peace of mind. Your journey to empowered, Community-supported healthcare starts here.