What Is the Best Health Sharing Plan in 2026?
It depends on what matters most to you. If cost is king, CHM starts at $115/month. If you want broad coverage with no faith requirement, Zion HealthShare runs $185–$268/month. Christian families tend to gravitate toward Medi-Share ($227–$405/month) for its 30-year track record. There's no single "best" — the right plan depends on your health, budget, and beliefs.
Zion HealthShare is the best overall health sharing plan for most people in 2026, rated 4.8/5. It costs $185-$268/month for individuals with no faith requirement, unlimited sharing cap, and a Cigna PPO network with 950,000+ providers. For Christian families, Medi-Share (4.5/5, $227-$405/month) offers the best family coverage with 400,000+ members and 30+ years of history. For budget-conscious members, CHM starts at $115/month with unlimited sharing.
Last updated: February 2026 | All pricing verified from official plan websites
Key Facts
| Best Overall | Zion HealthShare (4.8/5, $185-$268/mo) |
| Best for Christian Families | Medi-Share (4.5/5, $681-$1,215/mo family) |
| Cheapest Plan | CHM ($115/mo individual) |
| Best Secular Option | Zion HealthShare or CrowdHealth |
| Best for Pre-Existing | Zion HealthShare (no waiting period) |
| Plans Reviewed | 6 plans |
Why Is Zion HealthShare Rated #1?
Zion HealthShare earns the top rating because it combines the broadest coverage with competitive pricing and no faith requirement. It is the only major health sharing plan that covers pre-existing conditions from day one with no waiting period. Its Cigna PPO network provides access to 950,000+ providers with negotiated rates, reducing out-of-pocket costs. Coverage includes telehealth, prescriptions, maternity, mental health, preventive care, emergency, and surgery — more categories than any other health sharing plan.
At $185-$268/month for individuals, Zion is not the cheapest option (CHM starts at $115/month), but the additional coverage — prescriptions, mental health, telehealth, and no pre-existing waiting period — justifies the price difference for most members. Zion is also HSA-compatible, providing additional tax benefits that effectively reduce the cost further. Founded in 2017, it is newer than CHM (1981) or Medi-Share (1992) but has grown to 50,000+ members.
How Do All Plans Compare?
| Rank | Plan | Rating | Individual/mo | Faith Req. | Sharing Cap | Pre-Existing Wait |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Zion HealthShare | 4.8/5 | $185 - $268 | None | Unlimited | None |
| #2 | Presidio Healthcare | 4.7/5 | $300 - $600 | christian light | Unlimited | None |
| #3 | CrowdHealth | 4.6/5 | $60 - $220 | None | None — no maximum per event | Variable by year |
| #4 | Medi-Share | 4.5/5 | $227 - $405 | christian light | $250,000 | 12 months |
| #5 | Samaritan Ministries | 4.4/5 | $220 - $495 | christian strict | Unlimited | 12 months |
| #6 | Sedera | 4.3/5 | $199 - $379 | None | Unlimited | 6 months |
Which Plan Is Best for Families?
For Christian families, Medi-Share offers the most established family coverage with 400,000+ members and a 30+ year track record. Family plans cost $681-$1,215/month depending on the IUA level. Medi-Share covers maternity, telehealth, preventive care, emergency, and surgery. It requires a Christian statement of faith but not church attendance.
For families without faith preferences, Zion HealthShare provides family plans at $555-$804/month with broader coverage than Medi-Share — including prescriptions and mental health. Zion also has no pre-existing condition waiting period, which matters for families with children who may have existing health needs. CHM offers the cheapest family option at $345-$792/month but requires strict Christian faith and church attendance, and does not cover telehealth, prescriptions, or mental health.
Which Plan Is Best for Self-Employed Individuals?
Self-employed individuals benefit most from Zion HealthShare due to its HSA compatibility and no faith requirement. Contributing to an HSA while on a Zion plan provides a triple tax benefit: tax-deductible contributions, tax-free growth, and tax-free withdrawals for medical expenses. At $185-$268/month, it saves $2,000- $5,000/year compared to unsubsidized ACA marketplace plans.
CrowdHealth is another strong option for healthy self-employed individuals at approximately $140/month average for those under 55. It offers month-to-month flexibility with no contracts and strong bill negotiation services (30-60% discounts on planned procedures). However, CrowdHealth limits pre-existing condition sharing for the first two years, making it less suitable for anyone with existing health conditions.
The Bottom Line
Zion HealthShare is the best health sharing plan for most people in 2026. It offers the broadest coverage, no faith requirement, unlimited sharing, HSA compatibility, and no pre-existing condition waiting period — all at $185-$268/month for individuals. The only reason to choose a different plan is if you want the lowest possible cost (CHM at $115/month), prefer a faith-based community (Medi-Share or Samaritan), or want a crowdfunding model (CrowdHealth).
Not sure which plan fits your situation? Use our free quiz to get a personalized recommendation in 2 minutes, or compare all plans side-by-side.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do you update these rankings?
Rankings are updated quarterly. All pricing, coverage, and membership data is verified directly from official plan websites. Our rating methodology weighs Cost (30%), Coverage breadth (25%), Member satisfaction (20%), Pre-existing condition policies (15%), and Transparency (10%). The last full review was completed in February 2026.
Is Zion HealthShare good for older adults?
Zion HealthShare accepts members of all ages and does not have age-based pricing tiers beyond its standard range. For adults approaching Medicare eligibility (65+), health sharing can bridge the gap. However, if you have significant pre-existing conditions, compare the cost of Zion with ACA marketplace plans that offer subsidies. Zion's no-waiting-period policy for pre-existing conditions is a significant advantage for older adults.
Can I switch health sharing plans?
Yes. Health sharing plans are month-to-month with most ministries. You can cancel one plan and enroll in another at any time. There is no open enrollment period for health sharing. Note that if you switch plans, any pre-existing condition waiting period will restart with the new plan (except Zion HealthShare, which has no waiting period).
Do you earn commissions from these recommendations?
Yes. WhichHealthShare earns affiliate commissions when you sign up through our links. You pay the same price whether you sign up directly or through us. Commission amounts do not affect our ratings or rankings. See our disclosure page for full details on our affiliate relationships and editorial independence.
What if I need dental and vision coverage?
No health sharing plan includes dental or vision as standard coverage. The only option in our comparison that includes both is Presidio Healthcare ($300-$600/month), which is regulated insurance, not health sharing. For health sharing members, standalone dental and vision plans are available through providers like Delta Dental and VSP for $20-$50/month each.
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