Health Sharing Plans for Families: Compare Your Options
Depends on your faith, budget, and what coverage you need. CHM is the most affordable faith-based option at $345/month but requires active church membership. Medi-Share ($390–$850/month) has the longest track record with 400,000+ members. Zion ($334/month+) has no faith requirement and unlimited sharing. For young, healthy families focused on low cost, CrowdHealth is the cheapest at $240–$660/month — a crowdfunding model (not traditional sharing) with no faith requirement, where you cover the first $500 of each medical event. Every plan handles maternity, dependents, and IUAs differently — so the details matter more than the headline price.
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Editor’s pick
Medi-Share
$115–$470/mo · ★ 4.5
The most established family option — 400,000+ members, PHCS and First Health PPO network access, and maternity sharing. See family pricing and get a quote.
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Editor’s pick
CrowdHealth
from $60/mo · ★ 4.6
The most affordable choice for young, healthy families — $240–$660/mo, no faith requirement, no coverage caps. It's a crowdfunding model (not traditional sharing): you cover the first $500 of each medical event, and the community funds the rest.
We may earn a commission if you enroll through this link — it never affects our rankings.
Every family has different priorities when choosing health sharing. Medi-Share offers family plans from $390-$850/month with maternity coverage, any-doctor access, and 400,000+ members backing a 30-year track record. CHM is the most affordable option starting at $345/month but requires strict Christian faith and church attendance. Zion HealthShare provides unlimited sharing with no faith requirement starting at $334/month. Compare all options below to find your match.
Updated February 2026. Data verified against each ministry's published rates.
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Key Takeaways
- Established community: Medi-Share ($390-$850/mo) with 400,000+ members, 30-year track record, maternity coverage.
- Most affordable: CHM ($345-$897/mo) requires strict Christian faith and church attendance.
- No faith requirement: Zion HealthShare ($334-$899/mo) accepts any faith, no pre-existing waiting period.
- Maternity coverage: Available at Medi-Share, CHM, Zion, Samaritan, Sedera with 10-12 month waiting periods.
- Savings vs ACA: 40-60% lower monthly cost for families (unsubsidized marketplace plans).
Key Facts: Family Health Sharing Plans
| Priority | Plan Option |
|---|---|
| Established Community | Medi-Share ($390-$850/mo, 400,000+ members, 30+ years) |
| Most Affordable | CHM ($345-$897/mo, strict faith required) |
| No Faith Requirement | Zion HealthShare ($334-$899/mo, secular) |
| Maternity Coverage | Available at Medi-Share, CHM, Zion, Samaritan, Sedera |
| Typical IUA Range | $300-$2,000 per incident |
| Savings vs. ACA | 40-60% lower monthly cost (unsubsidized) |
Why Families Choose Medi-Share
Medi-Share has shared over $4 billion in medical bills since 1993 and maintains the largest membership base of any health sharing ministry at 400,000+ members. For families, this size translates to financial stability: larger pools mean more consistent bill sharing. Their family plans include maternity coverage with no network restrictions, meaning families can see any doctor or specialist without referrals. The 20% co-share after IUA keeps out-of-pocket costs predictable, and telehealth access provides convenient care for common pediatric issues.
The trade-off is cost. Medi-Share family plans range from $390-$850/month depending on IUA selection, which places them at the higher end of health sharing options. They also require a Christian statement of faith (though not church attendance) and impose a 12-month waiting period for pre-existing conditions with phased sharing at 25% the first year.
What Is the Most Affordable Family Health Sharing Plan?
CHM (Christian Healthcare Ministries) offers the lowest family rates in the health sharing space, starting at $345/month for a family. Their unlimited sharing cap means there is no ceiling on eligible medical bills. CHM has operated since 1981 — the longest track record of any ministry — and serves 300,000+ members. Maternity, preventive care, emergency, and surgery are all eligible for sharing.
The significant caveat: CHM requires strict Christian faith and regular church attendance. They also do not cover telehealth or prescription drugs, which can be a gap for families managing ongoing medications. A pre-existing condition stops being pre-existing at CHM after 12 months symptom-free — far sooner than Medi-Share's 36-month wait.
Which Family Plan Has No Faith Requirement?
Zion HealthShare is the strongest option for families who do not want a faith requirement. Starting at $334/month for families, Zion provides unlimited sharing cap, no provider network restrictions (members can see any doctor), prescription coverage, mental health sharing, and maternity. They accept pre-existing conditions, sharing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type-2 diabetes from month one (if none caused a hospitalization in the prior 12 months), while other pre-existing conditions face a phase-in period — still an advantage for families switching from insurance.
Zion is also HSA-compatible, which allows families to pair their health sharing plan with tax-advantaged savings. The 2026 HSA family contribution limit is $8,550, which can offset a significant portion of annual healthcare costs. Zion was founded in 2019, so their track record is shorter than CHM or Medi-Share, but their 75,000+ membership base is growing.
How Does Maternity Coverage Work with Health Sharing?
Most health sharing plans require a 10-12 month waiting period before maternity expenses become eligible for sharing. This means the pregnancy must begin after the waiting period ends. Medi-Share, CHM, Zion, Samaritan, and Sedera all include maternity sharing. CrowdHealth covers maternity through crowdfunding with no formal waiting period, though pre-existing pregnancy is excluded. Families planning a pregnancy should enroll well in advance to satisfy waiting period requirements.
Family Plan Comparison Table
| Plan | Family Cost/Mo | Sharing Cap | Faith Required | Maternity | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CrowdHealth | $240-$660 | None — no maximum per event | No | Yes | Any doctor |
| Zion HealthShare | $334-$899 | Unlimited per need; no annual or lifetime cap | No | Yes | Any doctor |
| HSA Secure | $334-$899 | Unlimited | No | Yes | Any doctor |
| CHM (Christian Healthcare Ministries) | $345-$897 | $125,000 per illness base; CHM Plus add-on ($42/unit/mo) extends to $1M per illness (Silver/Bronze) or unlimited (Gold). | Yes | Yes | Any doctor |
| Sedera | $378-$2088 | Unlimited | No | Yes | Any doctor |
| Medi-Share | $390-$850 | None — no annual or lifetime sharing cap | Yes | Yes | PHCS + First Health (MultiPlan) |
| Knew Health | $400-$950 | Unlimited | No | Yes | Any doctor |
| Samaritan Ministries | $699-$715 | $250K/need (Classic; more via Save to Share) | Yes | Yes | Any doctor |
The Bottom Line
For most families, Medi-Share offers the best combination of stability, maternity coverage, and provider flexibility. Budget-conscious Christian families should look at CHM for savings of $300+/month. Young, healthy families who want the lowest monthly cost — and don't mind a crowdfunding model where you cover the first $500 of each event — should look at CrowdHealth ($240–$660/month). Families without a faith preference or with pre-existing conditions will find the strongest value at Zion HealthShare. If guaranteed coverage matters more than savings, ACA marketplace insurance offers comprehensive regulated coverage for families.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which health sharing plan has the cheapest family rate?
CHM (Christian Healthcare Ministries) has the lowest family rate starting at $345/month for their Bronze-level plan. However, CHM requires strict Christian faith and church attendance. For families without a faith requirement, Zion HealthShare starts at $334/month.
Do health sharing plans cover maternity for families?
Yes, most major health sharing plans cover maternity. Medi-Share, CHM, Zion HealthShare, Samaritan Ministries, and Sedera all include maternity sharing. Waiting periods of 10-12 months typically apply. CrowdHealth also covers maternity through its crowdfunding model.
Can my children stay on a family health sharing plan past age 18?
Most health sharing plans cover dependent children up to age 26, similar to ACA insurance rules. Medi-Share and Zion HealthShare both extend coverage to age 26. After that, children need their own individual plan. CHM covers dependents up to age 25.
Is health sharing safe for families with young children?
Health sharing covers routine pediatric emergencies, surgeries, and hospital stays. However, it is NOT insurance and does not guarantee payment. Families with children who have chronic conditions or special needs should carefully evaluate waiting periods and coverage limits. For those cases, ACA insurance offers guaranteed coverage as a safer alternative.
How does the IUA work for families?
The IUA (Initial Unshareable Amount) is a per-incident cost similar to a deductible. For families, each medical incident triggers an IUA payment of $500-$5,000 depending on your plan. Some plans have a family maximum IUA cap per year. Zion HealthShare caps family IUA at 3 incidents per year.
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Largest community
Medi-Share
$115–$470/mo · ★ 4.5
The biggest health sharing ministry — 400,000+ members, Cigna PPO network access, and no per-illness sharing cap.
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