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Medi-Share vs CrowdHealth
These two sit at opposite ends of health sharing. Medi-Share is the largest Christian ministry: 400,000+ members since 1993, $115–$470/mo individual, PHCS + First Health PPO, faith required. CrowdHealth is secular crowdfunding founded 2021: $60 advocacy fee plus contributions averaging ~$140/mo under 55, no faith requirement, month-to-month. Pick Medi-Share if the faith commitment fits and you want scale and track record. Pick CrowdHealth if you are young, healthy, and want the lowest cost with no religious terms. Neither is insurance.
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Same category label, completely different machines. One pools money inside a 400,000-household ministry with thirty years of history. The other passes a hat in an app. Here is how every important difference breaks down.
Side by Side
| Factor | Medi-Share | CrowdHealth |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Pooled Christian ministry | Healthcare crowdfunding platform |
| Founded / size | 1993 · 400,000+ | 2021 · 17,000+ |
| Individual cost | $115–$470/mo by age + AHP | $60 fee + ask; avg ~$140/mo under 55 |
| Faith requirement | Trinitarian statement + church involvement | None (tobacco/BMI excluded) |
| Per-event cost | AHP $3K–$12K yearly, then shared | $500 commitment per event |
| Pre-existing | 36-month wait, then capped phase-in | Ineligible years 1–2, then $25K/yr |
| Network | PHCS + First Health PPO, 900,000+ | Any provider, cash-pay + negotiation |
| Insurance? | No, voluntary sharing | No, voluntary crowdfunding |
Choose Medi-Share If…
- The Christian membership commitments fit your life naturally.
- You want three decades of track record behind your big bills.
- You prefer a PPO network over negotiating every cash bill yourself.
- You are over 55, where CrowdHealth's crowdfunding asks climb steeply.
Editor’s pick
Medi-Share
$115–$470/mo · ★ 4.5
If the faith fit works: 400,000+ members since 1993, no annual or lifetime cap once a need is eligible, and any of 900,000+ PPO providers.
Choose CrowdHealth If…
- You are young, healthy, and want the lowest realistic monthly cost.
- Faith terms are irrelevant or unwelcome.
- Month-to-month flexibility matters more than institutional history.
- You value bill negotiation on cash-pay care, dental included.
Editor’s pick
CrowdHealth
from $60/mo · ★ 4.6
If low cost and flexibility win: ~$140/mo average under 55, no per-event cap, cancel anytime.
The Bottom Line
Faith decides this matchup more than money does. Both handle catastrophic medical bills credibly; both exclude meaningful pre-existing history for years. For the full table, see our complete Medi-Share vs CrowdHealth comparison and run your own numbers in the scenario calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which costs less, Medi-Share or CrowdHealth?
For young healthy individuals they are close: CrowdHealth averages about $140 per month total for members under 55, while Medi-Share starts around $115 but runs up to $470 by age and AHP. Families often do better on CrowdHealth; older members usually do better on Medi-Share than CrowdHealth’s 55-plus caps allow.
Which handles pre-existing conditions better?
Neither is generous. Medi-Share waits 36 months before any sharing of pre-existing conditions, then caps phase-in. CrowdHealth allows no crowdfunding at all for two years, then up to $25,000 per year from year three. If a managed condition needs near-term sharing, Zion covers controlled hypertension, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes from day one.
Do either require religious participation?
Medi-Share requires a Trinitarian Christian statement of faith and active church involvement. CrowdHealth has no faith or lifestyle requirements beyond tobacco and BMI exclusions.
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Related Resources
Last updated: August 2026. Figures verified against each plan's published 2026 materials. See our footer disclosure regarding affiliate commissions.
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Largest community
Medi-Share
$115–$470/mo · ★ 4.5
The biggest health sharing ministry — 400,000+ members, Cigna PPO network access, and no per-illness sharing cap.
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