I'm excited about this one. Crowd Health is a "not insurance" health plan company - I believe it's technically called a "health sharing" company. They have much lower rates compared to regular health insurance.
I just got an email from them. If you can pass certain health tests (fasting insulin, c-reactive protein, dexa scan), you can get 20% off of your contributions.
I love the fact that the INCENTIVES ARE ALIGNED here. They know some of the metrics that truly matter, in terms of staying healthy. If you can meet those metrics, they allow you to pay less, because you will (probably) cost them less.
And this benefits you as well! Your health will be improved.
Here's some details:
CrowdHealth Longevity Discount Program Launching Soon
At CrowdHealth, we believe healthy choices should pay off—literally.
Launching October 1, 2025, members can begin qualifying for up to 20% off monthly contributions by completing simple health tests that track key longevity metrics. Think of it as a win-win: you invest in your health, and your wallet gets rewarded.
Full program details (including which tests qualify and how to submit results) are available for your review, today! Click on the link below for more information 👇
CrowdHealth Longevity Discount Program
These are the tests along with the acceptable levels:
Bottom line, they're rewarding you with lower premiums, if you have less chance of getting sick.
Notice a few things that are not on the list of health tests that they use for this - blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. Even though many people are prescribed (toxic) medications to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, lowering them does not usually lead to improved health.
If you're interested in Crowd Health, here's a link with my referral code (we both get a discount if you end up joining).
https://www.joincrowdhealth.com/?referral_code=TES8CR
Crowd Health is appropriately judging how they can get maximum benefit from a minimum of testing.
@Signal312 you have a study that shows blood pressure and cholesterol are actually irrelevant?
I've read a lot about nutrition from an alternative viewpoint in the past couple years - a viewpoint that questions the high cholesterol/heart disease hypothesis.
Below is an AI response on this issue. The best book on it is "The Great Cholesterol Con" by Malcolm Kendrick.
Key Evidence Questioning a Strong Correlation
Critics of the "lipid hypothesis" (the idea that high cholesterol directly causes heart disease) point to several lines of evidence from observational studies, reanalyses of major trials, and meta-analyses. Here's a summary of prominent examples:
Weak or Inverse Associations in Large Cohort Studies:
The Framingham Heart Study (ongoing since 1948, involving over 5,000 participants) is often cited as foundational for linking cholesterol to heart disease. However, reanalyses show that total cholesterol levels were only weakly predictive of heart attacks in some groups. For instance, a 1992 follow-up found that for people over 50, higher cholesterol was not associated with increased mortality and sometimes correlated with longer life. In fact, falling cholesterol levels over time were linked to higher death rates from heart disease.
A 2016 systematic review in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) analyzed data from 68,000 elderly participants across 19 studies and found no association between high LDL cholesterol and all-cause mortality. Surprisingly, high LDL was inversely associated with mortality in some cases, suggesting it might be protective in older adults.
Critiques of Seminal Studies Supporting the Link:
Ancel Keys' Seven Countries Study (1950s–1970s) popularized the cholesterol-heart disease connection by showing correlations in selected countries. However, critics like Uffe Ravnskov (author of "The Cholesterol Myths") have pointed out selection bias: Keys excluded data from 15 other countries where high-fat diets (and thus higher cholesterol) did not correlate with more heart disease. A 2017 reanalysis in the Journal of Clinical Epidemiology confirmed that including all data weakens the correlation significantly.
The Honolulu Heart Program (a long-term study of over 8,000 Japanese-American men) found in 2001 that low cholesterol levels were associated with higher mortality rates, including from heart disease, challenging the idea that lower is always better.
Statin Trials and Intervention Studies:
Statins (cholesterol-lowering drugs) reduce heart attack risk in high-risk groups, but some analyses suggest the benefits may not be primarily due to cholesterol reduction. A 2015 meta-analysis in the Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology reviewed 11 statin trials and found that the mortality benefits were similar regardless of how much cholesterol was lowered, implying other mechanisms (e.g., anti-inflammatory effects) might be at play. This questions whether cholesterol itself is the key driver.
The 4S Trial (Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study, 1994) showed benefits from simvastatin, but a 2005 re-examination in the BMJ noted that the absolute risk reduction was small (about 3%), and benefits were not clearly tied to baseline cholesterol levels.
Population-Level and Paradoxical Observations:
In certain populations, high cholesterol coincides with low heart disease rates (e.g., the "French Paradox," where high-fat diets in France lead to high cholesterol but low heart attack rates, possibly due to other dietary factors like antioxidants).
A 2018 study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society of over 1,200 centenarians found that high total cholesterol was common and not linked to shorter lifespans, suggesting it's not a strong risk factor in advanced age.
Meta-analyses, such as one in 2010 from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reviewing 21 studies (over 347,000 participants), found no significant association between saturated fat intake (which raises cholesterol) and heart disease risk, indirectly questioning cholesterol's role.
Confounding Factors and Alternative Explanations:
Many studies highlight that inflammation, oxidative stress, insulin resistance, and lifestyle factors (e.g., smoking, obesity) are stronger predictors of heart attacks than cholesterol alone. For example, a 2009 review in Current Opinion in Lipidology argued that small, dense LDL particles (not total levels) might be more relevant, and high cholesterol could be a symptom of underlying issues rather than the cause.
Autopsy studies, like a 1960s analysis of heart attack victims, showed that many had normal cholesterol levels, while some with high cholesterol had clear arteries.
Thank you, I have read some of this material in the past when I was diagnosed with diabetes.
By the time I’m actually in the market for an insurance alternative, Crowd Health is going to be unbelievably great.
I suspect this is US only?
Yes, unfortunately.
I ran these terms through an AI:
A1C and Fasting Insulin Test OverviewA1C and Fasting Insulin Test Overview
A1C and fasting insulin tests are essential diagnostic tools used to evaluate blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity.
What is the A1C Test?What is the A1C Test?
What is the Fasting Insulin Test?What is the Fasting Insulin Test?
Key Differences and Combined UseKey Differences and Combined Use
Combining both tests can provide a comprehensive view of metabolic health, helping to identify diabetes, prediabetes, and insulin resistance.
Importance of TestingImportance of Testing
Regular testing of both A1C and fasting insulin can help in early detection and management of diabetes and related conditions. If you have concerns about your blood sugar or insulin levels, consulting a healthcare provider is advisable for personalized advice and testing recommendations.
C-Reactive Protein (CRP) ExplainedC-Reactive Protein (CRP) Explained
C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is a substance produced by the liver in response to inflammation. Understanding CRP can provide valuable insights into various health conditions.
What is CRP?What is CRP?
Testing for CRPTesting for CRP
Conditions Associated with Elevated CRP LevelsConditions Associated with Elevated CRP Levels
Importance of CRP TestingImportance of CRP Testing
Monitoring CRP levels can be a vital tool for diagnosing inflammation and assessing the risk of chronic diseases, particularly cardiovascular conditions. If inflammation or chronic illness is suspected, a healthcare provider may recommend a CRP test for further evaluation.
DEXA Scan for Visceral FatDEXA Scan for Visceral Fat
A DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) scan is often used to measure body composition, including the amount of visceral fat, which is crucial for assessing health risks.
What is a DEXA Scan?What is a DEXA Scan?
Understanding Visceral FatUnderstanding Visceral Fat
How DEXA Measures Visceral FatHow DEXA Measures Visceral Fat
Benefits of DEXA for Assessing Visceral FatBenefits of DEXA for Assessing Visceral Fat
Interpretation of ResultsInterpretation of Results
ConclusionConclusion
A DEXA scan is an effective tool for measuring visceral fat, offering critical insights into an individual’s health risks related to fat distribution. If you're considering this test, discussing it with a healthcare provider can help determine its relevance based on personal health goals.
Understanding Visceral Fat LevelsUnderstanding Visceral Fat Levels
Visceral fat is the fat stored around internal organs, particularly in the abdomen. Monitoring visceral fat levels is crucial for assessing health risks associated with obesity and metabolic disorders.
Normal and Elevated Visceral Fat LevelsNormal and Elevated Visceral Fat Levels
Visceral fat levels are often measured in terms of either density (usually through imaging techniques like DEXA scans) or area (often using waist circumference as a proxy).
Measuring Visceral FatMeasuring Visceral Fat
Health Risks Associated with High Visceral FatHealth Risks Associated with High Visceral Fat
Reducing Visceral Fat LevelsReducing Visceral Fat Levels
Monitoring visceral fat levels is essential for overall health, particularly as it relates to cardiovascular and metabolic risks. Regular check-ups and lifestyle interventions can significantly impact visceral fat reduction.
#868743
It's like Christian medical sharing plans without a religious affiliation