The last few months of the year are rapidly approaching. For millions of Americans working a corporate job, that means it is time for health insurance annual enrollment. This year, however, there is a better way – CommunityCare by the CrossFit Medical Society.
What is CommunityCare?
CommunityCare is not health insurance. Instead, it is a crowdfunded healthcare solution where members support one another. The program was created by CrossFit Medical Society in partnership with CrowdHealth and was built for CrossFitters.
But while it is not health insurance by definition, the CommunityCare crowdfunding platform is there to support you when you encounter big bills related to your health. It just cannot guarantee that your medical bills will be covered.
Of course, while insurance “guarantees” your health expenses are paid, how many times have you heard about claims being denied?
Who can enroll in CommunityCare?
CommunityCare is exclusively available to CrossFitters. That is, if you have a CrossFit ID, you are eligible to enroll…and so is your family.
However, CommunityCare is not open to tobacco users (defined as daily use for a period of 3 or more months, past or present).
How does CommunityCare work?
Ok, so you’re eligible to enroll in CommunityCare. You’re probably wondering how does this crowdfunding thing work.
Alright, first off you are going to create an account and apply to join. When doing so, make sure to use code ‘SPIN’ during the enrollment process to save money (more on how much later).
Once approved, you will gain to the CommunityCare platform and app. Inside the app, you will have the ability to create a health event and submit your bills.
For big, planned bills (like expensive surgeries, labs or imaging), you will notify CommunityCare ahead of time and they will negotiate the cost before the procedure. This negotiation usually results in a 30-60% discount.
For standard appointments or unexpected emergencies, you will tell your provider that you are cash pay. From there, you will commit to funding the first $500 for that health event and can submit a funding request to CommunityCare for anything over that amount.
Did you see that $500 number? Yeah, that’s kind of like a deductible…but it’s not called a deductible because it’s not insurance.
And that’s it.
Personal Experience
I had an issue with my foot that required several visits to a podiatrist. I paid for my visit each time and asked for the itemized receipt each time. Once the cumulative cost exceeded $500, I created a health event within the CommunityCare app and submitted the itemized receipts.
I was asked for some additional clarification and my submission was approved shortly thereafter. The spend that I incurred above $500 was deposited into my account.
How much does it cost?
This is where people won’t believe it, but it’s 100% true. My family of 4 spends significantly less than that of corporate-subsidized health insurance. Let me show you…
So let’s say you have a family of 4. You will pay the $60 advocacy fee every month. Then, you will contribute up to $420/month for crowdfunding. I say “up to” because I have yet had to pay the maximum in the 11 months since I joined CommunityCare in December 2025.
The crowdfunding amount will vary from month-to-month based on the needs of the CommunityCare members. Every month you will receive an email showing how much you contributed. In September, my contribution was $285.68 (plus a $2.38 processing fee).
In August it was $238.61.
In July it was $224.33.
In January it was only $192.55!
The highest month was $287. Now compare that to your current monthly health insurance premium.
$500 per Event Commitment
Remember when I said that CommunityCare picked up the tab on my foot issue for everything above $500?
Yeah, it’s kind of like a deductible. A $500 deductible. But it does have one key difference…
A health event covers everything from start to finish. Whether your treatment takes two weeks or two months, you’ll only every pay the first $500.
Yes, seriously.
What’s your deductible and out-of-pocket maximum with your current health insurance policy? I’ll wait…
So what’s the catch?
By now you’re probably thinking this is too good to be true. You don’t believe it and you’ll just stick with your expensive health insurance with a $10,000 deductible and an out-of-pocket max that’s higher than that.
Oh, and you’ll pay more every month for the privilege of using your $10,000 deductible when something does happen.
Here’s the thing, it’s not too good to be true. I’ve been on CommunityCare for almost a year and it’s the best decision I made.
Ok, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, procedures and treatments tied to a pre-existing condition are not eligible for funding the first and second years of your membership, and funding is limited in subsequent years.
Additionally, things like cosmetic procedures, long-term prescriptions and fertility/infertility treatments are not covered.
However, pregnancy is covered but with a $3,000 member commitment (instead of just $500).
How insurance was supposed to be
The way I look at CommunityCare is that it is how health insurance was originally intended. It was meant to protect you financially in case of an unexpected emergency where costs are high.
Health insurance was not meant to cover every routine doctor visit* or minor incident. But that’s precisely what it has turned into.
*Note: one annual wellness event per member per year, costing up to $300, is eligible for crowdfunding without the initial $500 member commitment.
Use code ‘SPIN’ and save!
Remember when I told you to use code ‘SPIN’ during the enrollment process?
Here’s why:
You will pay your $60 monthly advocacy fee per member, but your maximum crowdfunding request will be reduced to $39 for the first three months!
Just do it
When your company brings you the annual enrollment form this year, take a look at the costs and weigh whether it makes sense to switch to CommunityCare. You already do CrossFit. You believe in a healthy lifestyle. You don’t have chronic disease.
Why are you paying a health insurance system to cover those who don’t value health like yourself?
Join CommunityCare like my family did. It’s worth it. Just make sure you use code ‘SPIN’ when doing so!
