What Is the Cheapest Health Sharing Plan in 2026?
CHM at $115/month — but there's a catch. You need to be a practicing Christian, and it doesn't cover telehealth, prescriptions, or mental health. No faith requirement? CrowdHealth averages $140/month but uses crowdfunding (variable costs). Cheapest doesn't always mean best value, though — what's excluded from a plan matters as much as the monthly price.
CHM (Christian Healthcare Ministries) is the cheapest health sharing plan, starting at $115/month for individuals. It requires a strict Christian statement of faith and church attendance. CrowdHealth averages $140/month for members under 55 with no faith requirement but uses a crowdfunding model with variable costs. Zion HealthShare starts at $185/month with no faith requirement, a Cigna PPO network, and the broadest coverage of any health sharing plan.
Last updated: February 2026 | All pricing verified from official plan websites
Key Facts
| Cheapest Overall | CHM at $115/month (Christian required) |
| Cheapest Secular | CrowdHealth at ~$140/month average |
| Cheapest No-Faith | Zion HealthShare at $185/month |
| Cheapest Family | CHM at $345/month (Christian required) |
| Best Value Overall | Zion HealthShare ($185/mo, broadest coverage) |
| ACA Marketplace Avg | $450-$700/month (unsubsidized Silver) |
How Do Plans Compare on Price?
| Rank | Plan | Individual/mo | Family/mo | Faith Req. | Rating | Key Exclusion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | CrowdHealth | $60 - $220 | Individual only | None | 4.6/5 | Full coverage |
| #2 | Zion HealthShare | $185 - $268 | $555 - $804 | None | 4.8/5 | Full coverage |
| #3 | Sedera | $199 - $379 | $597 - $1137 | None | 4.3/5 | Full coverage |
| #4 | Samaritan Ministries | $220 - $495 | $660 - $1485 | christian strict | 4.4/5 | No Rx, no mental health |
| #5 | Medi-Share | $227 - $405 | $681 - $1215 | christian light | 4.5/5 | No Rx, no mental health |
| #6 | Presidio Healthcare | $300 - $600 | $900 - $1800 | christian light | 4.7/5 | Full coverage |
Prices reflect lowest available individual tier. Actual cost depends on age, IUA selection, and family size.
Why Is CHM the Cheapest Plan?
CHM keeps costs low through three factors. First, it excludes telehealth, prescription drugs, and mental health coverage from its sharing guidelines — services that other plans include at higher monthly costs. Second, it requires strict Christian faith and church attendance, which self-selects a member pool that tends toward lower-risk health profiles. Third, CHM has operated since 1981 with 300,000+ members, giving it scale efficiencies that newer plans cannot match.
The $115/month entry price comes with a $300 IUA (lowest in the industry) and unlimited sharing cap. CHM allows any doctor with no network restrictions. It covers maternity, preventive care, emergency, and surgery. For members who rarely use prescriptions, telehealth, or mental health services, CHM offers substantial savings. Over a year, CHM costs $1,380 compared to $2,220 for Zion HealthShare ($185/month) — a savings of $840 annually.
What Is the Cheapest Plan Without a Faith Requirement?
CrowdHealth is the cheapest secular option at approximately $140/month average for members under 55. This breaks down into a $60/month fixed advocacy fee plus approximately $80/month in crowdfunding contributions. CrowdHealth uses a peer-to-peer crowdfunding model where members fund each other's medical bills directly. It has no faith requirement, no coverage caps, and allows any doctor.
The tradeoff with CrowdHealth is that crowdfunding is voluntary — there is no guarantee that your bill will be fully funded (though 99% of approved bills have been funded to date). Pre-existing conditions are not eligible for sharing in the first year, with phased increases in years 2-4. CrowdHealth is best for healthy individuals under 55 who want the lowest cost and are comfortable with a crowdfunding model. For a more traditional health sharing experience without faith requirements, Zion HealthShare starts at $185/month with a PPO network and guaranteed sharing guidelines.
Is the Cheapest Plan the Best Value?
Not for most people. The $70/month difference between CHM ($115) and Zion HealthShare ($185) buys prescription coverage, mental health coverage, telehealth, no pre-existing condition waiting period, and a Cigna PPO network with 950,000+ providers. That is $840/year for significantly broader protection. A single prescription costing $50/month would erase the entire savings from choosing CHM.
CHM is the best value specifically for healthy Christians who do not take regular prescriptions, do not need mental health services, and are comfortable with a strict faith requirement. For everyone else, Zion HealthShare offers better coverage per dollar. The annual cost comparison: CHM saves $840/year on contributions but excludes coverage that could cost thousands out of pocket if needed.
The Bottom Line
CHM is the cheapest health sharing plan at $115/month, but it requires strict Christian faith and excludes prescriptions, telehealth, and mental health. CrowdHealth averages $140/month with no faith requirement but uses a less predictable crowdfunding model. Zion HealthShare at $185/month offers the best overall value with the broadest coverage and no restrictions.
All health sharing plans are significantly cheaper than ACA marketplace insurance ($450-$700/month for unsubsidized Silver plans). Choose based on your faith preferences, coverage needs, and monthly budget. Use our free quiz to find the cheapest plan that matches your specific needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I lower my monthly cost by choosing a higher IUA?
Yes. Choosing a higher IUA (deductible equivalent) reduces your monthly contributions. For example, with Zion HealthShare, moving from a $500 IUA to a $2,000 IUA can save $50-$80/month. The tradeoff is higher out-of-pocket costs when you have a medical expense. A $2,000 IUA makes sense if you are healthy and rarely visit the doctor. A $500 IUA provides more predictable costs if you anticipate medical expenses.
Are there hidden fees with health sharing plans?
Most health sharing plans have transparent pricing with no hidden fees. Your monthly contribution is the primary cost plus your IUA when you have a medical expense. Some plans charge a one-time enrollment fee ($50-$150). CrowdHealth separates its pricing into a $60/month advocacy fee plus variable crowdfunding costs. Always review the full fee schedule before enrolling — each plan publishes this on their website.
How much can I save per year compared to insurance?
Annual savings depend on your current insurance cost. A single adult paying $550/month for an unsubsidized ACA Silver plan would save: $5,220/year switching to CHM ($115/month), $4,920/year with CrowdHealth ($140/month), or $4,380/year with Zion HealthShare ($185/month). Over 5 years, that is $21,900-$26,100 in savings. These savings are reduced if you have significant medical expenses that health sharing does not cover.
Do cheaper plans have lower sharing caps?
No. CHM, the cheapest plan, offers unlimited sharing — the same cap as Zion HealthShare and Samaritan Ministries. The main exception is Medi-Share, which caps sharing at $250,000 despite costing more than several unlimited plans. CrowdHealth also has no per-event cap. Sharing caps are not correlated with monthly cost in health sharing.
Should I choose the cheapest plan if I am young and healthy?
If you are young, healthy, and meet the faith requirement, CHM at $115/month is a reasonable choice. If you do not meet the faith requirement, CrowdHealth at $140/month is a strong option for healthy individuals under 55. However, consider that unexpected medical events happen — and broader coverage (Zion at $185/month) provides protection for prescriptions, mental health, and pre-existing conditions that may develop. The $70/month difference is insurance against the unexpected.
Find Your Best Plan in 60 Seconds
Answer 6 quick questions and we'll match you with the health sharing plan that fits your budget, health needs, and preferences.
Want a quick comparison guide?
We'll email you a side-by-side breakdown of pricing, coverage, and what real members say about the top plans.
Free guide + 7-day email series. Unsubscribe anytime.