CrowdHealth vs Health Sharing — Which Is Better?
CrowdHealth is a healthcare crowdfunding platform, not a health sharing ministry. It costs approximately $140/month average for individuals under 55, has no coverage caps, no faith requirement, and a $500 member commitment per health event. Traditional health sharing ministries cost $115–$495/month with Initial Unshareable Amounts (IUAs) of $500–$2,000. CrowdHealth wins on flexibility and cost for healthy people; traditional health sharing wins on predictability for members with frequent claims.
CrowdHealth was founded in 2021 and has 17,000+ members. Traditional health sharing ministries have operated for decades — CHM since 1981 (300,000+ members), Samaritan Ministries since 1994 (230,000+ members), and Medi-Share since 1992 (400,000+ members). Newer secular options include Zion HealthShare (2017, 50,000+ members) and Sedera (2010, 50,000+ members).
Key Facts
| CrowdHealth type | Healthcare crowdfunding (not health sharing, not insurance) |
| CrowdHealth cost | ~$140/mo avg ($60 advocacy fee + ~$80 crowdfunding) |
| CrowdHealth per-event cost | $500 member commitment per health event |
| Health sharing cost range | $115–$495/mo (individual) with $500–$2,000 IUA |
| Bills funded (CrowdHealth) | 99% of approved bills funded |
How Does CrowdHealth's Model Differ From Health Sharing?
Traditional health sharing follows a pooled contribution model. Members pay a fixed monthly amount that goes into a shared fund. When a member has a medical need, the ministry draws from the pool to share the cost, subject to the member's IUA (similar to a deductible) and co-share percentage (typically 10–20%). The ministry determines which bills are eligible based on its sharing guidelines.
CrowdHealth uses peer-to-peer crowdfunding. Members pay a fixed $60/month advocacy fee plus a variable crowdfunding amount (averaging ~$80/month for members under 55). When a member has a health event, they pay a $500 member commitment, CrowdHealth negotiates the bill down (reporting 30–60% discounts on planned procedures), and the remaining balance is submitted to the community crowdfund.
The practical difference: health sharing has a more predictable monthly cost with defined sharing rules. CrowdHealth's monthly cost can vary because the crowdfunding component fluctuates based on community health events. However, CrowdHealth's per-event cost ($500 flat) is often lower than health sharing IUAs ($500–$2,000) and there is no co-share percentage.
Which Costs Less: CrowdHealth or Traditional Health Sharing?
For healthy individuals under 55 with few medical needs, CrowdHealth is typically cheaper. At ~$140/month average, it costs less than Zion HealthShare ($185–$268), Sedera ($199–$379), Medi-Share ($227–$405), and Samaritan Ministries ($220–$495). Only CHM ($115–$264) starts lower, but CHM requires strict Christian faith and church attendance.
For members with frequent health events, traditional health sharing may be more cost-effective because the monthly contribution is fixed regardless of how many claims other members file. CrowdHealth's variable crowdfunding component could increase if the community experiences higher-than-average medical costs in a given month. However, CrowdHealth's $500 flat per-event commitment is predictable and often lower than traditional IUAs.
What Does CrowdHealth Cover That Health Sharing Plans Don't?
CrowdHealth has no coverage caps per health event — the community can fund any amount for an approved bill. Most health sharing plans also have unlimited caps (Zion, CHM, Sedera, Samaritan), but Medi-Share caps sharing at $250,000 per incident. CrowdHealth also covers telehealth, prescriptions, maternity, mental health, preventive care, emergency, and surgery — matching or exceeding most health sharing plans.
The key coverage gap for CrowdHealth is pre-existing conditions. CrowdHealth does not cover pre-existing conditions in year one and phases them in over 4 years ($25K year 2, $50K year 3, $100K year 4+). Zion HealthShare covers pre-existing from month one. CHM and Sedera wait 6 months. CrowdHealth also does not accept tobacco users, while most health sharing plans do (with some restrictions).
How Does CrowdHealth's Track Record Compare?
CrowdHealth was founded in 2021 and has 17,000+ members. It reports that 99% of submitted and approved bills have been funded by the community. Its Trustpilot rating is 4.7/5 from 665+ reviews. However, it has only been operating for approximately 5 years — a fraction of the history of established ministries.
Traditional health sharing ministries have decades of operational history. CHM has operated since 1981 (44+ years) with 300,000+ members. Medi-Share has operated since 1992 (33+ years) with 400,000+ members. Samaritan Ministries has operated since 1994 (31+ years) with 230,000+ members. Even newer secular plans like Sedera (founded 2010) have 15+ years of history. Longer track records provide more evidence of sustainable operations through economic cycles and pandemic-level health events.
CrowdHealth vs Health Sharing: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | CrowdHealth | Zion HealthShare | CHM | Medi-Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Crowdfunding | Health sharing | Health sharing | Health sharing |
| Monthly (individual) | ~$140 avg | $185–$268 | $115–$264 | $227–$405 |
| Per-event cost | $500 flat | $500–$2,000 IUA + 10–20% | $300–$1,000 IUA + 20% | $500–$2,000 IUA + 20% |
| Coverage cap | None | Unlimited | Unlimited | $250,000 |
| Pre-existing | Phased 4 years | No waiting period | 6-month wait | 12-month wait |
| Faith requirement | None | None | Strict Christian | Christian (light) |
| Prescriptions | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Mental health | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Members | 17,000+ | 50,000+ | 300,000+ | 400,000+ |
| Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.8/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
The Bottom Line
CrowdHealth is the best option for healthy individuals under 55 who want the lowest monthly cost (~$140/mo), no faith requirement, and no coverage caps. Its $500 flat per-event commitment is simpler and often cheaper than traditional IUA + co-share structures.
Traditional health sharing is the better choice for members with pre-existing conditions (Zion HealthShare covers them from day one), members over 55, families (CrowdHealth pricing is less competitive for families), and anyone who prefers the stability of an established ministry with decades of operating history.
If you are healthy, under 55, and comfortable with a newer platform, CrowdHealth offers the lowest cost. If you have pre-existing conditions or want a longer track record, Zion HealthShare ($185/mo, 4.8/5) is the strongest alternative.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CrowdHealth a health sharing ministry?
No. CrowdHealth is a healthcare crowdfunding platform, not a health sharing ministry. Health sharing ministries pool monthly contributions to share members' medical bills through a defined sharing model. CrowdHealth uses peer-to-peer crowdfunding where members contribute to fund specific medical bills submitted by other members. The distinction affects how bills are funded, what guarantees exist, and regulatory classification.
How does CrowdHealth's $500 member commitment work?
When you have a health event (medical need), you pay a $500 member commitment — similar to a deductible. CrowdHealth then negotiates the bill (typically 30-60% discounts on planned procedures) and submits the remaining balance to the community crowdfund. The community funds the bill from pooled contributions. 99% of approved bills have been funded as of 2026.
Which is cheaper: CrowdHealth or traditional health sharing?
CrowdHealth averages $140/month for individuals under 55, making it cheaper than most health sharing plans. CHM starts at $115/month (the cheapest health sharing plan) but requires strict Christian faith and church attendance. Zion HealthShare starts at $185/month with no faith requirement. CrowdHealth's $500 per-event commitment is lower than most health sharing IUAs, which range from $500 to $2,000+.
Does CrowdHealth cover pre-existing conditions?
CrowdHealth phases in pre-existing condition coverage over 4 years: $0 in year one (not covered), $25,000 maximum in year two, $50,000 in year three, and $100,000 per year from year four onward. By comparison, Zion HealthShare covers pre-existing conditions from month one with no waiting period.
Can CrowdHealth refuse to fund my medical bill?
Yes. CrowdHealth crowdfunding is voluntary, and there is no legal guarantee that any specific bill will be funded. However, CrowdHealth reports that 99% of submitted and approved bills have been funded. Bills may be rejected if they involve pre-existing conditions during the waiting period, excluded services, or conditions related to tobacco use (CrowdHealth does not accept tobacco users).
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Last updated: February 2026. Data sourced from CrowdHealth.com, ministry websites, and verified against plan documents. WhichHealthShare is editorially independent. Some links may be affiliate links.