I have medi-share. It costs about a third of a crap ACA plan, and has a $5000 co-pay. So far I have used it once, and found the limitations on providers to be a huge PITA, and this is in a 500K population market area with that is grossly over-served by the medical industry. On the flip side, the Quest diagnostics lab bill was reduced by 90% with their billing agreement, the primary care doc. was top notch, and they list a major scan and diagnostics center as their only regional provider, and it's five minutes away, so it could be worse.
We spend a third of our year on the road, as snowbirds. My wife has a a Cadillac ++ plan as part of her retirement contract, so she has no issues finding providers anywhere in the states. OTOH, except for emergency care, all available ACA plans available to me are essentially useless, or horrifically expensive, if I would need medical services outside my local market area. A health share plan eliminates this problem.
Your right about beating a dead horse, when it comes to the validity of the whole concept. I had a member here, who was some self-proclaimed insurance expert, that aggressively told me I was making a huge mistake, and would be penniless if a tragedy struck. It was a bit of a chuckle to read as he worked himself into a lather. I guess the fact that these plans have a history of successful operation, and satisfied members, for 3-4 decades is proof how badly they have failed? Good luck, I wish we had the same heath care as every other first world nation, but until then, IMHO, this is the best option.