Health care sharing ministries are growing fast — over 1.5 million Americans now use them as an alternative to traditional insurance. With costs 40–60% lower than ACA plans and no network restrictions, the appeal is obvious. But not every program is equal. Some have strict faith requirements. Some cap payouts dangerously low. Some are genuinely excellent.
We evaluated every major program on monthly cost, annual unshared amount (the equivalent of a deductible), sharing limits, faith requirements, and member experiences. Here's what we found.
In This Guide:
How We Ranked Them
Our full methodology covers everything, but here's the short version. We evaluated each program on five dimensions:
- Affordability — Monthly contribution cost across common family sizes and ages
- Coverage depth — Sharing limits, what's included/excluded, maternity, pre-existing conditions
- Accessibility — Faith requirements, who can join, provider network flexibility
- Financial stability — Member count, years in operation, track record of paying shares
- Member experience — Processing times, transparency, complaints, support quality
We don't accept payment for rankings. Programs can't buy better placement. See our methodology page for the complete scoring rubric.
Top 5 Best Health Sharing Ministries for 2026
#2 CrowdHealth
CrowdHealth is the most affordable option on this list and one of the few programs with no faith requirement. At $60/month for an individual, it's dramatically cheaper than ACA insurance or most other health sharing programs.
How it works differently: CrowdHealth uses a crowdfunding model. Instead of traditional sharing pools, members fund each other's healthcare costs directly. When you have a bill, the community chips in. It's transparent and fast, but it requires you to have $500 in your CrowdHealth wallet as a buffer.
Best for: Young, healthy individuals who want catastrophic-level coverage at rock-bottom prices. If you rarely use healthcare, CrowdHealth is hard to beat on cost.
- Most affordable option ($60/mo individual)
- No faith or lifestyle requirements
- Transparent crowdfunding model
- Fast bill processing
- Newer program — less track record
- Requires $500 wallet buffer
- Smaller network for complex cases
#3 Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM)
Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM) has been operating since 1981 and is one of the oldest health sharing organizations in the country. Their family pricing is structured as a per-member rate, which can make large families expensive — but their coverage for families with children is solid.
What makes it stand out: CHM's Gold plan includes sharing for pre-existing conditions after 12 months, maternity sharing (with Gold Plus add-on), and no per-occurrence fees. For families who use healthcare regularly, the predictable structure is appealing.
Gold vs. Gold Plus: Most families with young children should consider Gold Plus, which adds maternity and other enhanced sharing. It costs more but covers situations families actually face.
- 45+ years of operation
- Per-member pricing (no arbitrary "family cap")
- Maternity coverage available
- Strong reputation for paying claims
- Large families pay per-member (can add up)
- Requires Christian lifestyle statement
- Pre-existing conditions have 12-month wait
#4 Knew Health
Knew Health is a standout for people who want health sharing benefits without any religious requirement. They market to health-conscious people of all backgrounds, with a focus on wellness and preventive care.
Wellness-forward model: Knew Health includes a health coach, preventive care sharing, and a DPC (direct primary care) add-on option. They position health sharing as part of a broader health lifestyle — which resonates with their target audience of active, health-conscious people.
The trade-off: Monthly costs are higher than Medi-Share or CrowdHealth for comparable coverage. You're paying for the secular-friendly positioning and wellness features.
- No faith requirement
- Wellness and preventive care included
- Health coaching included
- DPC integration option
- Higher monthly costs than faith-based options
- Newer program with shorter track record
#5 Zion HealthShare
Zion HealthShare is one of the newer secular health sharing options and has been growing rapidly. They offer straightforward pricing, no faith requirement, and a clean member experience that appeals to younger professionals.
What's interesting about Zion: They have some of the most transparent pricing in the industry — no hidden fees, simple plan tiers, and a clear explanation of what's shared and what isn't. Their member portal has received strong reviews for ease of use.
Still building track record: As a newer program, Zion hasn't been through the same volume of large claims as established players. For catastrophic coverage needs, we'd lean toward Medi-Share or CHM with their longer histories.
- No faith requirement
- Transparent pricing model
- Good digital member experience
- Competitive monthly costs
- Shorter operating history
- Less data on catastrophic claim handling
Best Health Share Plans by Category
Best for Freelancers and Self-Employed
Freelancers typically need: affordable monthly costs, no employer contribution requirement, and flexibility to use any provider. Our top picks:
- Medi-Share — Best overall for self-employed. Solid coverage, no network restrictions, and a large member base for financial stability.
- CrowdHealth — Best if you're young and healthy. $60/month is hard to beat, and the no-faith-required model appeals to many freelancers.
- Knew Health — Best for health-conscious freelancers who want wellness features included.
See our dedicated guide: Best Health Share for Freelancers
Best for Early Retirees
Early retirees (typically 50–64) face brutal ACA premiums before Medicare eligibility. Health sharing can cut costs dramatically, but watch out for age-based pricing — some programs get expensive fast after 55.
- Medi-Share — Best for early retirees who are Christian. Solid coverage and a proven track record matter more as healthcare use increases with age.
- CHM — Strong alternative. Per-member (not age-banded) pricing keeps costs more predictable.
- Samaritan Ministries — Another solid option for Christian early retirees with a strong community model.
Key consideration: at 60+, health sharing programs may require more medical screening. Budget for higher monthly shares and be realistic about pre-existing condition waiting periods.
Best for Families
Family plans vary wildly in structure. Some charge a flat "family rate." Others charge per member, which can make large families expensive.
- CHM — Our top pick for families. Maternity coverage (Gold Plus), long operating history, and strong reputation for paying claims.
- Medi-Share — Strong alternative with a family cap — once you hit the family MSA, additional members are covered at no extra out-of-pocket.
See our dedicated guide: Best Health Share for Families
Best Secular (Non-Faith-Based) Options
If you're not comfortable with faith statements or lifestyle requirements, your options have expanded significantly in recent years:
- CrowdHealth — Most affordable secular option. No faith requirement, no lifestyle restrictions beyond reasonable health behaviors.
- Knew Health — Best secular option for health-conscious people who want wellness features.
- Zion HealthShare — Good secular alternative with transparent pricing.
- Sedera — Strong secular option, often paired with direct primary care.
See our dedicated guide: Best Non-Religious Health Share Plans
Full Comparison Table
Key metrics across the top programs for 2026. Individual pricing shown — family costs vary significantly.
| Program | Monthly Cost (Individual) | Annual Unshared Amount | Sharing Limit | Faith Required? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medi-Share | From ~$80 | $1,000–$10,500 | Unlimited | Yes (Christian) | Best Overall |
| CrowdHealth | From $60 | $500 (wallet) | $1M+ | No | Best Budget |
| CHM | From ~$90 | $500–$1,000 | Unlimited (Gold) | Yes (Christian) | Best for Families |
| Knew Health | From ~$120 | $1,000–$5,000 | $1M+ | No | Best Secular |
| Zion HealthShare | Competitive | $1,500–$5,000 | $1M+ | No | Best Growing |
| Samaritan Ministries | From ~$170 | $300 (per need) | Unlimited | Yes (Christian) | Community-driven |
| Liberty HealthShare | From ~$100 | $1,000–$2,000 | $1M+ | Lifestyle only | Flexible faith req |
| Sedera | From ~$130 | $500–$5,000 (IUA) | Unlimited | No | DPC integration |
Pricing estimates for reference only — get a personalized quote for exact rates. Costs vary significantly by age, family size, and plan tier.
How to Choose the Right Health Share Plan
The "best" program depends entirely on your situation. Here's how to narrow it down:
Step 1: Determine if Health Sharing is Right for You
Health sharing works well if you're: relatively healthy, comfortable with some financial risk, not heavily reliant on brand-name prescription drugs, and willing to navigate a slightly different billing process than insurance.
It's a poor fit if you: have significant ongoing medical needs, require expensive specialty medications, or need the legal protections that come with ACA insurance (guaranteed issue, no lifetime limits, etc.).
Read our full analysis: Is Health Sharing Worth It?
Step 2: Decide on Faith Requirement
Be honest about whether you can genuinely sign a faith statement. Most programs require attestation of Christian faith and lifestyle. Signing one you don't believe diminishes the community and could create issues at claim time. If you're not Christian, go secular: CrowdHealth, Knew Health, Sedera, or Zion.
Step 3: Run the Numbers
Use our cost calculator to compare your actual estimated annual spend across programs. Enter your age, family size, and typical healthcare usage to see realistic cost comparisons — not just the headline monthly rate.
Step 4: Take Our Quiz
Answer 6 questions and get matched with the top 3 programs for your situation. Takes 2 minutes.
Not Sure Which Plan is Right for You?
Answer 6 questions. Get matched with your top 3 plans instantly.
Take the Free Plan Matcher Quiz →What to Watch Out For
Health sharing has real benefits, but there are pitfalls if you don't read the fine print:
Pre-existing Condition Waiting Periods
Nearly every program has waiting periods (typically 12–36 months) before they'll share costs related to pre-existing conditions. If you have diabetes, heart disease, or other ongoing conditions, understand exactly what's excluded and for how long before signing up. Read our full guide: Pre-Existing Conditions in Health Sharing
Sharing Limits
Some plans cap what they'll share per incident or annually. For catastrophic events like cancer or serious accidents, a $250,000 sharing limit could leave you with massive out-of-pocket costs. Look for programs with unlimited sharing or very high caps ($1M+) for serious illness protection.
What's Not Shared
Common exclusions include mental health care (improving but still limited in most programs), dental, vision, prescription drugs (often limited), and elective procedures. Don't assume anything is covered — read the sharing guidelines directly. See: What Health Sharing Does NOT Cover
The Faith Statement is Real
If a program requires a faith statement, they mean it. Some programs have terminated members who didn't maintain lifestyle commitments. This isn't a box to check — it's a real membership requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best health sharing ministry overall?
Medi-Share is the best health sharing ministry overall for 2026. With 350,000+ members, a track record since 1993, unlimited sharing (on most plans), and no network restrictions, it offers the best combination of financial stability and coverage breadth. The main requirement is Christian faith and lifestyle.
What is the best health share plan for non-religious people?
CrowdHealth ($60/mo) is the best budget secular option. For more comprehensive coverage, Knew Health or Sedera are strong choices. Zion HealthShare is a solid growing option. All four have no faith requirement.
Is health sharing cheaper than ACA insurance?
Yes, typically 40–60% cheaper. A healthy 35-year-old might pay $80–$150/month for health sharing vs. $300–$500/month for an ACA bronze plan (pre-subsidy). However, health sharing is not insurance and doesn't provide the same legal protections. It works best for healthy people who want lower monthly costs and can handle some financial risk.
What's the difference between health sharing and insurance?
Health sharing is a voluntary cost-sharing arrangement between members — there's no legal guarantee your bills will be paid. Insurance is a legal contract with guaranteed benefits. Health sharing programs don't have to cover pre-existing conditions immediately (most have waiting periods), can have faith requirements, and are not regulated the same way as insurance. The upside: they're significantly cheaper and have no network restrictions. Read our detailed comparison: Health Sharing vs Insurance.
Which health sharing program has the highest limits?
Medi-Share, CHM (Gold plan), and Samaritan Ministries all offer unlimited sharing — meaning no cap on what they'll share for eligible medical bills. Most other programs offer $1M+ annual limits, which is sufficient for the vast majority of medical situations. Check individual program terms for specifics.
Can you use any doctor with health sharing?
Yes — unlike insurance, most health sharing programs have no network restrictions. You can see any licensed provider in the US. Some programs offer discounts for using preferred providers, but you're never "out of network." This is one of the key advantages of health sharing for people with specialists they want to keep.
What is the best health sharing ministry for families?
Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM) is our top pick for families, especially those expecting children. Their Gold Plus plan includes maternity sharing, and their 45-year track record gives confidence for larger claims. Medi-Share is a close second with their family MSA cap structure. For secular families, Knew Health or Zion HealthShare are the top options.
Are health sharing ministries legitimate?
Yes — the established programs are legitimate and have paid billions in member medical bills. Medi-Share (since 1993), CHM (since 1981), and Samaritan Ministries (since 1991) have decades of operational history. That said, health sharing is unregulated — there's no state insurance commissioner ensuring claims get paid. Stick with programs that have long track records and large member bases.
Find Your Best Match
Use our free tools to narrow down the right plan for your situation.