Medi-Share vs Samaritan Ministries

Complete head-to-head comparison of features, costs, coverage, and ratings to help you choose the right health share plan.

Feature Medi-Share Samaritan Ministries
Monthly Cost $65–$1079/mo $119–$865/mo
Initial Unshareable Amount $1,750–$10,500 $300–$300
Network Type PPO Network Any Provider
Faith Requirement ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
Overall Rating 4.8/5 4.6/5
Maternity Coverage ✅ ✅
Mental Health ❌ ❌
Telemedicine ✅ ❌
Preventive Care ✅ ❌
Member Count 350,000+ 250,000+
Year Founded 1993 1994

Medi-Share

✅ Pros

  • Large established community with 350K+ members
  • Strong PPO network for negotiated rates
  • User-friendly online portal and app
  • Includes telemedicine and preventive care

❌ Cons

  • Christian faith requirement limits eligibility
  • 36-month pre-existing condition waiting period
  • Higher monthly costs for older members
  • Mental health coverage is very limited

🎯 Best For

  • Families
  • Large Groups
  • Those Who Want Structure
Get a Quote from Medi-Share → Read Full Review

Samaritan Ministries

✅ Pros

  • Direct member-to-member sharing creates personal connection
  • No provider network restrictions
  • Strong Christian community with prayer support
  • No per-incident sharing limit

❌ Cons

  • Requires active church attendance verification
  • Telehealth not bundled - members can use any provider including telehealth
  • Higher monthly cost for smaller households
  • Manual sharing process can feel less modern

🎯 Best For

  • Faith-Driven Members
  • Provider Flexibility
  • Community-Minded
Get a Quote from Samaritan Ministries → Read Full Review

The Verdict

Choose Medi-Share if...

  • You want the most affordable option (starts at $65/mo)
  • You value telemedicine access
  • You want the higher-rated program (4.8/5 vs 4.6/5)

Choose Samaritan Ministries if...

  • Samaritan Ministries better fits your specific needs
  • You identify as: Faith-Driven Members or Provider Flexibility

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