How Much Does Health Sharing Cost?
Most people pay $150–$300/month for an individual plan. The cheapest is CHM at $115/month (requires Christian faith). CrowdHealth averages $140/month. Zion starts at $185/month. Medi-Share starts at $227/month. All of these run 40–60% less than unsubsidized ACA marketplace insurance, but coverage and restrictions vary widely between plans.
Health sharing costs $60-$495/month for individuals and $345-$1,485/month for families in 2026, depending on the plan, age, and IUA level selected. CHM is the cheapest at $115/month for individuals. CrowdHealth averages $140/month. Zion HealthShare starts at $185/month. Medi-Share starts at $227/month. Additionally, members pay an IUA (Initial Unshareable Amount) of $300-$5,000 per incident. These costs are 40-60% lower than unsubsidized ACA marketplace plans.
Updated February 2026. Pricing verified against each ministry's published rates.
Key Facts: Health Sharing Costs
| Cost Component | Range |
|---|---|
| Individual Monthly Share | $60-$495/month |
| Family Monthly Share | $345-$1,485/month |
| IUA (per incident) | $300-$5,000 |
| Co-Share (after IUA) | 10-20% of remaining bill |
| Enrollment Fee (one-time) | $0-$150 |
| Average ACA Comparison | $450-$700/mo individual (unsubsidized) |
| Annual Savings vs. ACA | $2,400-$4,800/year (without subsidies) |
What Are the Monthly Costs by Plan?
Monthly health sharing costs vary significantly based on the plan, your age, household size, and IUA selection. The cheapest option is CHM at $115/month for individuals, but this requires strict Christian faith and church attendance. CrowdHealth averages roughly $140/month for members under 55 ($60 advocacy fee plus approximately $80 in crowdfunding contributions). Zion HealthShare starts at $185/month with no faith requirement, and Medi-Share begins at $227/month for the largest ministry with 400,000+ members.
Family costs scale proportionally. CHM family plans start at $345/month while Zion HealthShare families pay $555-$804/month and Medi-Share families pay $681-$1,215/month. Samaritan Ministries has the highest family ceiling at $660-$1,485/month. CrowdHealth does not publish formal family rates, as pricing is based on individual member age rather than household structure.
How Does the IUA Affect Total Cost?
The IUA (Initial Unshareable Amount) is the most misunderstood cost in health sharing. It works like a deductible, but with a critical difference: most health sharing IUAs apply per medical incident, not per calendar year. If you have three separate medical events in one year with a $1,000 IUA, you pay $3,000 out of pocket before sharing kicks in for each event.
Choosing a higher IUA significantly lowers your monthly share. For example, Zion HealthShare's individual plan at a $500 IUA costs approximately $268/month, while the same plan at a $2,000 IUA drops to approximately $185/month — a savings of $83/month ($996/year). For healthy individuals who rarely need medical care, a higher IUA makes financial sense. For those expecting multiple medical events, a lower IUA provides more predictable total costs.
What Hidden Costs Should I Watch For?
Beyond the monthly share and IUA, several costs can catch members off guard. Co-sharing requires you to pay 10-20% of eligible bills after the IUA is met. Prescription drugs are not covered by CHM, Medi-Share, or Samaritan Ministries — members pay retail prices or use discount programs like GoodRx. Some plans charge one-time enrollment fees of $50-$150. Annual assessments are possible if a plan's sharing pool experiences higher-than-expected claims, though this is uncommon.
Dental and vision are excluded from every health sharing plan reviewed. Mental health coverage is limited to Zion HealthShare, Sedera, CrowdHealth, and Presidio Healthcare. If you need mental health services, prescription drugs, or dental/vision, you will pay these costs entirely out of pocket with most plans. Factor these exclusions into your total annual healthcare budget when comparing against ACA insurance, which typically includes these categories.
How Do Health Sharing Costs Compare to ACA Insurance?
Without subsidies, the average ACA marketplace plan costs $450-$700/month for individuals and $1,200-$2,000/month for families in 2026. Health sharing saves $200-$400/month ($2,400-$4,800/year) on monthly costs alone. However, ACA insurance includes guaranteed coverage, prescription drug benefits, mental health parity, preventive care at no cost, and regulatory protections that health sharing does not provide. If you qualify for ACA subsidies — household income under 400% of the federal poverty level ($60,240 for an individual in 2026) — subsidized ACA insurance may cost less than health sharing while offering stronger protections.
Complete Cost Comparison by Plan
| Plan | Individual/Mo | Family/Mo | IUA Options | Co-Share | Sharing Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CrowdHealth | $60-$220 | N/A | $500 | Variable (crowdfunded) | None — no maximum per event |
| Zion HealthShare | $185-$268 | $555-$804 | $500, $1000, $2000 | 10-20% | Unlimited |
| Sedera | $199-$379 | $597-$1137 | $500, $1000, $2000 | 20% | Unlimited |
| Samaritan Ministries | $220-$495 | $660-$1485 | $300, $500, $1000 | 20% | Unlimited |
| Medi-Share | $227-$405 | $681-$1215 | $500, $1000, $2000 | 20% | $250,000 |
| Presidio Healthcare | $300-$600 | $900-$1800 | $0, $500, $1000 | 10-20% after deductible | Unlimited |
The Bottom Line
Health sharing costs 40-60% less than unsubsidized ACA insurance for most individuals and families. The cheapest entry point is CHM at $115/month (strict faith required) or CrowdHealth at ~$140/month (secular). For the best balance of cost and coverage, Zion HealthShare at $185-$268/month offers HSA compatibility, unlimited sharing, and no faith requirement. Always calculate your total annual cost including IUA scenarios, co-sharing, and excluded services — not just the monthly share — before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest health sharing plan in 2026?
CHM (Christian Healthcare Ministries) is the cheapest health sharing plan starting at $115/month for individuals and $345/month for families. However, CHM requires strict Christian faith and church attendance. For those without faith requirements, CrowdHealth averages $140/month for individuals under 55, and Zion HealthShare starts at $185/month.
What is an IUA and how does it affect my total cost?
IUA stands for Initial Unshareable Amount. It functions like a deductible — the amount you pay per medical incident before the plan begins sharing costs. IUAs range from $300 to $5,000 depending on the plan and tier. Higher IUAs mean lower monthly contributions, and lower IUAs mean higher monthly costs. Unlike insurance deductibles, most health sharing IUAs apply per incident, not per year.
Are there hidden costs with health sharing?
Yes, several costs beyond the monthly share exist. The IUA (per-incident out-of-pocket) ranges from $300-$5,000. Co-sharing percentages of 10-20% apply after the IUA is met. Some plans charge enrollment fees ($50-$150). Prescription drugs are not covered by CHM, Medi-Share, or Samaritan (you pay out of pocket or use discount cards). Annual assessments are possible if the plan's sharing pool runs low. Always calculate total annual cost including IUA scenarios, not just monthly share.
How much do I save compared to ACA marketplace insurance?
Without ACA subsidies, the average ACA marketplace plan costs $450-$700/month for individuals and $1,200-$2,000/month for families in 2026. Health sharing plans range from $115-$495/month for individuals and $345-$1,485/month for families. Average savings: $200-$400/month ($2,400-$4,800/year). However, if you qualify for ACA subsidies (income under 400% of federal poverty level), subsidized ACA plans may cost less than health sharing.
Does the monthly cost change as I get older?
Most health sharing plans use age-banded pricing, meaning costs increase as you age. CrowdHealth separates members into under-55 and over-55 categories. Medi-Share, Zion, and others adjust monthly shares by age bracket. However, age-based increases in health sharing are typically smaller than ACA insurance age adjustments, where premiums can be up to 3x higher for older members.
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