Episode Summary:
- Explores how medical cost sharing differs from traditional health insurance, emphasizing a community-driven model focused on healing, transparency, and personal responsibility.
- Highlights key advantages such as no open enrollment restrictions, lower overall costs in many cases, and strong support systems like concierge services to help navigate care.
- Identifies who benefits most from this approach, including self-employed individuals and health-conscious people, while reinforcing that alternatives to traditional insurance do exist.
Full Episode Transcript
Dan (00:25.223)
Welcome to Uninsured by Choice, a podcast where we help you navigate the healthcare system without insurance. I’m your host, Dan, and our sponsor is Zion HealthShare, a nonprofit medical cost-sharing community.
Today I am joined by Catherine Okubo. She is a Brazilian-Japanese immigrant and the CEO of MPB Health. MPB Health provides medical cost-sharing programs supported by modern health and wellness services, with a team deeply committed to member satisfaction and human-centered care.
With over 21 years of business experience beginning her career at just 13, Catherine brings a diverse background spanning the fitness and vitamins industry, neuroscience studies, modeling, acting, and media. She hosted the Sao G. Max Health and Wellness TV show for Brazilians living in the U.S. and is the host of the Healthy Care podcast. She also holds a Florida Health and Life Insurance license.
Above all, she’s a devoted mom who enjoys time with her daughter and her cats.
So Catherine, thanks for joining us and being with us today.
Catherine Okubo (01:30.382)
Thank you for having me.
Dan (01:33.000)
Of course. So first question, I know we hadn’t talked about this, but looking at your bio, starting at 13, why don’t you tell us a little bit about how your career got started? That sounds like a story.
Catherine Okubo (01:42.954)
Yes. My father has always been an entrepreneur in Brazil and he had a vitamins and supplements company ever since I was born. Literally the day I was born, he decided to build his business.
At 13 years old, I wanted to spend more time with him, so I said, “I want to start working with you after school.” When I started going to his manufacturing facility, he had everything—legal, accounting, sales, marketing.
He allowed me to go everywhere in his company and learn from everybody. I really enjoyed business. I thought, “This is fun, I want to do it more often.” And I’ve been working ever since.
Dan (02:25.009)
That’s so cool. Born to be a CEO. You’re in the role you were made for.
So why don’t you tell us a little bit about MPB Health and what the company does?
Catherine Okubo (02:39.756)
MPB Health has medical cost-sharing programs that we bundle with different services. Virtual telehealth is included at no additional cost in every plan. You have urgent care, primary care, and mental health included as well.
The program helps alleviate high medical bills. Because this is a different world than traditional health insurance, we also provide a concierge team that helps new members navigate everything.
Whether they need a doctor’s appointment booked or help opening a sharing request, our concierge team handles it. We’re basically changing healthcare little by little as every new membership represents someone moving away from traditional insurance into something they didn’t even know existed.
Dan (03:46.757)
Yeah, that’s fantastic. That’s what we’re all about.
Let’s zoom out. For people new to health sharing, can you contrast traditional health insurance versus health sharing?
Catherine Okubo (04:21.656)
Most people in the U.S. assume healthcare means health insurance. That’s what I thought too.
But traditional health insurance profits off sickness. They charge thousands for medications that cost very little to make. You pay premiums, and the sicker you are, the more you use the system, but they don’t necessarily want you fully healthy.
That philosophy doesn’t resonate with me. I don’t want my money going to a system that doesn’t truly care about people.
Health sharing is completely different. It’s a community of like-minded individuals sharing medical needs. The intention is healing. The healthier you are, the less strain on the community.
That’s why my team and I are so happy to come to work. We feel like we’re part of something meaningful.
It’s not for everyone. If someone is drinking heavily or eating poorly all the time, it’s not a good fit. There’s accountability. Your health impacts the community.
Philosophically, it just makes more sense.
Dan (07:18.681)
Earlier you mentioned a comparison to banking. Can you share that?
Catherine Okubo (07:33.731)
A simple way to understand it is banks versus credit unions.
A bank is like traditional insurance. You’re just an account number and they focus on profits.
A credit union is like a health share. You’re a member. Decisions are made in the best interest of members, not shareholders.
Dan (08:26.683)
That comparison really clicked for me.
Another major difference is open enrollment. Insurance has strict enrollment periods, but health sharing doesn’t.
Catherine Okubo (10:10.390)
Exactly. Open enrollment forces you to make a big decision in a short window, often during the busiest time of year.
It also creates a psychological cycle—deadline, anxiety, sign-up, relief—that people get conditioned to.
With health sharing, you can join anytime. If you get a job with coverage, you can leave. If that changes, you can come back.
That freedom is priceless.
Dan (11:52.765)
A lot of people don’t realize employer plans also have open enrollment. You’re locked in once you choose.
With health sharing, that flexibility just isn’t an issue.
Catherine Okubo (12:40.822)
Right. It comes back to freedom. Freedom to choose providers, no networks, flexibility to come and go.
Most people don’t realize alternatives exist.
Dan (13:13.177)
That’s our mission—help people realize they have a choice.
Catherine Okubo (13:46.027)
Even now, new members still ask, “When is your open enrollment?” That conditioning is strong.
But once they join, it’s a mindset shift. They take ownership of their health and costs. They know what they’re paying and how things work.
And with our concierge team, they get real human support without long wait times.
Dan (15:11.357)
Let’s talk about who does well in this model.
Catherine Okubo (15:50.851)
Maternity is a big one. Families planning to have kids benefit a lot.
Also, people not receiving government subsidies. Health sharing is often more affordable for them.
We see a lot of self-employed individuals, freelancers, and 1099 workers. They don’t have predictable income, so fixed costs with no surprises are appealing.
They can save 40–60% compared to traditional insurance.
Dan (17:38.183)
That aligns with marketplace dynamics too.
What about subsidies and income thresholds?
Catherine Okubo (18:55.064)
Those thresholds change, but generally if your income is uncertain, health sharing is safer financially.
If you underestimate income and get a subsidy, you may have to pay it back. Health sharing avoids that uncertainty.
Dan (20:55.429)
And even with subsidies, usage costs can still be high.
Catherine Okubo (22:23.953)
Exactly. You pay premiums and then still pay thousands when you actually use it.
Health sharing often feels “too good to be true,” but it’s simply a different model. Not for everyone, but great for health-conscious individuals.
Dan (22:23.953)
What about agents and brokers?
Catherine Okubo (22:51.948)
Many agents successfully add health sharing to their offerings.
It’s less paperwork, no annual renewals, and our concierge team supports their clients. They can provide better value and earn strong commissions.
Dan (24:41.821)
Can groups use it too?
Catherine Okubo (25:08.622)
Yes, individuals and groups can both use health sharing.
Dan (25:21.287)
Some people are intimidated by not having an insurance card. Any advice?
Catherine Okubo (26:14.924)
Education is key. Every member gets a welcome call explaining everything.
We provide an app where they can book care, chat with concierge, open requests, and access telehealth.
If they need help, we handle it for them. It’s a guided experience.
Dan (29:37.341)
I experienced that firsthand. I compared CT scan prices and saved significantly.
It’s a mindset shift, but empowering.
Catherine Okubo (31:24.066)
Exactly. It’s personal responsibility, but not overwhelming—especially with support.
Dan (31:39.355)
Where can people find you?
Catherine Okubo (31:55.992)
You can visit www.mpb.health. MPB stands for mental physical balance.
I’m on LinkedIn under Catherine Okubo and on Instagram at catcat.okubo. My podcast is Healthy Care Podcast on Spotify and YouTube.
Dan (32:37.093)
I’ll be checking that out. Thanks again for joining us.
Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, and stay tuned for new episodes every other Wednesday.