Christian Healthcare Ministries Review
The original health cost sharing ministry
Last verified: March 1, 2026
Our Verdict
Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM) is the oldest health sharing ministry in America, founded in 1981. It offers three simple tiers — Bronze, Silver, and Gold — making it easy to choose a plan. CHM is known for being the most affordable option in health sharing, with Bronze plans starting under $100/month. Members can use any provider and submit bills for sharing after paying their personal responsibility amount.
👥 Who Christian Healthcare Ministries is Best For
- Budget-Conscious
- Individuals
- Simple Plans
Rating Breakdown
Pricing & Costs
2026 pricing: Bronze $115/mo, Silver $135/mo, Gold up to $299/mo
Coverage Details
| Maternity | ✓ | Gold members only; must be enrolled before conception |
| Mental Health | ✗ | Not eligible for sharing under any tier |
| Telemedicine | ✓ | Included |
| Prescriptions | ✓ | Eligible when part of a shareable medical incident |
| Preventive Care | ✗ | Routine checkups and preventive care not shareable |
| Dental & Vision | ✗ | Not included in any tier |
Network & Requirements
Network Type
Any Provider
No network — use any doctor or hospital
Religious Requirement
Yes
Must be a practicing Christian living according to biblical principles
Waiting Period
None
Pre-Existing Conditions
36-month waiting period
Pros & Cons
👍 Pros
- Most affordable health sharing option starting at $115/mo
- Simple 3-tier structure is easy to understand
- Longest track record operating since 1981 with $13B+ shared
- Includes HealthTap virtual care with all plans
👎 Cons
- Christian faith requirement limits eligibility
- 36-month pre-existing condition waiting period
- Mental health is completely excluded
- Lower sharing limits without add-ons
📋 How the Claims Process Works
- Receive Medical Care: Visit any provider (check network for discounted rates). Pay your provider directly.
- Pay Your IUA: Cover your Initial Unshareable Amount (deductible) out-of-pocket first: $500–$5,000.
- Submit Bills: Send your eligible medical bills to Christian Healthcare Ministries via their online portal or mobile app.
- Review Process: Christian Healthcare Ministries reviews your bills for eligibility based on program guidelines (typically 15-30 days).
- Community Shares: If approved, the community shares (pays) your eligible medical expenses up to Up to $125,000 per incident (Gold unlimited with Brother's Keeper add-on) per incident.
Important: Health sharing is not insurance. There are no legal guarantees that your bills will be paid. Sharing is based on program guidelines and community participation.
⏳ Pre-Existing Conditions Policy
Christian Healthcare Ministries has a 36-month waiting period for pre-existing conditions. This means:
- Waiting period: Medical expenses related to pre-existing conditions are not eligible for sharing during the first 36 months of membership.
- After waiting period: Once the waiting period is complete, eligible expenses related to pre-existing conditions may be shared according to program guidelines.
- What qualifies: A pre-existing condition is any illness, injury, or medical condition for which you received treatment, diagnosis, or advice in the 12 months before joining.
This is standard across most health sharing programs and differs significantly from ACA-compliant insurance, which must cover pre-existing conditions immediately.
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