Which Health Sharing Plan Is Best for Self-Employed?
It depends on your priorities. CrowdHealth ($140/month average) is the cheapest with month-to-month flexibility — great if you're healthy and want no commitment. Zion ($185–$268/month) is HSA-compatible with a PPO network. Sedera ($199/month+) is another secular option with strong transparency. All save you $200–$500/month versus unsubsidized ACA plans, but none are actual insurance.
Zion HealthShare and CrowdHealth are the best health sharing options for self-employed individuals in 2026. Zion costs $185-$268/month with no faith requirement, HSA compatibility, and unlimited sharing cap. CrowdHealth averages $140/month with no coverage caps and month-to-month flexibility. Both offer significant savings over unsubsidized ACA marketplace plans, which average $450-$700/month for individual coverage.
Updated February 2026. All pricing verified against published rates.
Key Facts: Self-Employed Health Sharing
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | Zion HealthShare ($185-$268/mo, HSA compatible) |
| Lowest Cost | CrowdHealth (~$140/mo average, under 55) |
| HSA Compatible | Zion HealthShare, Sedera |
| Tax Deductible? | No — health sharing contributions are NOT deductible |
| Month-to-Month | CrowdHealth (cancel anytime), most plans have no long-term contract |
| Savings vs. ACA | $200-$400/month compared to unsubsidized marketplace plans |
Why Is Zion HealthShare the Best Overall for Self-Employed?
Zion HealthShare checks every box that matters for freelancers, contractors, and business owners: no faith requirement, HSA compatibility, unlimited sharing cap, prescription coverage, mental health sharing, and a PPO network with 950,000+ providers through Cigna. At $185-$268/month for individuals, Zion costs 50-70% less than comparable unsubsidized ACA plans.
The HSA compatibility is particularly valuable for self-employed individuals. Pairing Zion with an HSA lets you contribute up to $4,300 (individual) or $8,550 (family) in 2026 with full tax deduction. This effectively creates a tax-advantaged healthcare savings strategy even though health sharing contributions themselves are not deductible. Zion also accepts pre-existing conditions with no waiting period, which is a significant advantage for self-employed individuals who may have gaps in prior coverage.
Why Do Self-Employed Workers Choose CrowdHealth?
CrowdHealth is not a health sharing ministry — it is a healthcare crowdfunding platform. The distinction matters: members contribute to a shared pool that funds each other's medical bills, but coverage is not guaranteed. For healthy self-employed individuals, this model delivers the lowest monthly cost at roughly $140/month average (under 55), with no coverage caps per health event and no faith requirement.
CrowdHealth's month-to-month flexibility appeals to freelancers who want to avoid long-term commitments. Their bill negotiation service regularly secures 30-60% discounts on planned procedures, which can save thousands on surgeries and specialist care. The $500 member commitment per health event functions like a deductible. The trade-off: pre-existing conditions are limited for the first two years ($25K year 2, $50K year 3, $100K year 4+), and 99% — not 100% — of approved bills have been funded.
What Are the Tax Implications for Self-Employed Members?
This is the single most important financial distinction for self-employed individuals: health sharing contributions are NOT tax-deductible. Under IRS rules, only health insurance premiums qualify for the self-employed health insurance deduction on Schedule 1. Health sharing monthly shares, CrowdHealth advocacy fees, and related costs cannot be claimed as a business expense or health insurance deduction.
However, if you use an HSA-compatible plan like Zion HealthShare, your HSA contributions are fully tax-deductible. In 2026, that means up to $4,300 in individual deductions or $8,550 for families. For a self-employed individual in the 24% tax bracket, an HSA deduction of $4,300 saves $1,032 in federal taxes alone. This partially offsets the lost premium deduction and creates a net healthcare cost that is still significantly below ACA marketplace rates.
How Flexible Are Health Sharing Plans for Variable Income?
Self-employed income fluctuates, and health sharing plans accommodate this better than ACA insurance in several ways. Most health sharing plans have no annual contracts — you can adjust your IUA level or cancel with 30 days notice. CrowdHealth offers true month-to-month commitment. There are no income-based premium adjustments (unlike ACA subsidies that require annual income reconciliation). The fixed monthly cost makes budgeting straightforward: you pay the same share whether you earn $40,000 or $400,000 in a given year.
Self-Employed Plan Comparison
| Plan | Individual Cost/Mo | HSA Compatible | Faith Required | Sharing Cap | Pre-Existing Wait |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CrowdHealth | $60-$220 | No | No | None — no maximum per event | Variable by year |
| Zion HealthShare | $185-$268 | Yes | No | Unlimited | None |
| Sedera | $199-$379 | No | No | Unlimited | 6 months |
| Samaritan Ministries | $220-$495 | No | Yes | Unlimited | 12 months |
| Medi-Share | $227-$405 | No | Yes | $250,000 | 12 months |
| Presidio Healthcare | $300-$600 | Yes | Yes | Unlimited | None |
The Bottom Line
Self-employed individuals should prioritize Zion HealthShare for the best combination of cost, HSA compatibility, and comprehensive coverage. Healthy freelancers who want the absolute lowest monthly cost should consider CrowdHealth at ~$140/month. Remember: health sharing is not tax-deductible, but pairing with an HSA can recover $1,000+ in annual tax savings. If you need guaranteed coverage with regulatory protections — especially with pre-existing conditions — Presidio Healthcare offers actual insurance starting at $300/month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deduct health sharing contributions on my taxes?
No. Health sharing contributions are NOT tax-deductible as health insurance premiums under current IRS rules. Unlike employer-sponsored insurance or ACA marketplace plans, health sharing monthly shares cannot be claimed as a self-employed health insurance deduction on Schedule 1. However, if you pair an HSA-compatible plan (Zion HealthShare) with an HSA, the HSA contributions themselves are tax-deductible up to $4,300 for individuals or $8,550 for families in 2026.
Is CrowdHealth good for self-employed people?
CrowdHealth is a strong option for healthy self-employed individuals who want the lowest monthly cost and maximum flexibility. At roughly $140/month average for members under 55, it costs less than most health sharing plans. The month-to-month commitment means you can cancel anytime without penalty. The main risk: CrowdHealth uses crowdfunding, not guaranteed sharing, so coverage is not guaranteed. Self-employed individuals with significant medical needs may prefer Zion or Presidio for more predictable coverage.
Which health sharing plan is HSA-compatible for self-employed?
Zion HealthShare is the most widely available HSA-compatible health sharing plan for self-employed individuals. Pairing Zion with an HSA allows you to contribute up to $4,300 (individual) or $8,550 (family) in tax-deductible savings in 2026 while keeping monthly costs at $185-$268/month. Sedera also offers HSA-eligible arrangements. Traditional ministries like Medi-Share and CHM are not HSA-compatible.
Can I use health sharing instead of ACA insurance as a freelancer?
Yes. There is no federal tax penalty for not having ACA-compliant insurance. However, health sharing is NOT insurance and does not satisfy state-level insurance mandates in California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont, or Washington D.C. Freelancers in those states may face state tax penalties. Health sharing also does not count as Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC) for ACA purposes.
What happens if I get seriously ill as a self-employed health sharing member?
Health sharing plans with unlimited sharing caps (Zion, CHM, Samaritan, Sedera) have no dollar ceiling on eligible bills. However, health sharing is voluntary — plans are not legally obligated to pay. For self-employed individuals concerned about catastrophic risk, Presidio Healthcare offers actual regulated insurance with guaranteed coverage. Some self-employed workers also pair a low-cost health sharing plan with a catastrophic insurance policy for additional protection.
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