What Is Health Sharing?
Think of it like a co-op for medical bills. You and a bunch of other people pay into a shared pool each month ($115–$495), and when someone gets a big bill, the group helps cover it. It's not insurance — nobody's legally required to pay — but over 1.5 million Americans use it because it costs 30–60% less than traditional health plans.
Health sharing is a voluntary, community-based alternative to health insurance where members share each other's medical expenses. Over 1.5 million Americans currently participate in health sharing programs. Monthly costs range from $115 to $495 for individuals, depending on the plan and family size — typically 30-60% less than comparable ACA marketplace insurance.
Last updated: February 2026 | Data verified from official plan websites
Key Facts
| Total U.S. Members | 1.5 million+ |
| Individual Cost Range | $115 - $495/month |
| Family Cost Range | $345 - $1,485/month |
| IUA (Deductible Equivalent) | $300 - $5,000 |
| Active Ministries | 7+ major plans reviewed |
| Legal Basis | ACA Section 1402(d) exemption |
| Regulated as Insurance? | No — voluntary sharing, not insurance |
How Is Health Sharing Different From Insurance?
Health sharing ministries are not insurance companies. They are organized under IRS Section 501(c)(3) as nonprofit organizations and exempt from Affordable Care Act requirements under Section 1402(d). Members voluntarily contribute monthly amounts that are used to share other members' eligible medical expenses. There is no legally binding guarantee that expenses will be paid — sharing depends on member contributions and program guidelines.
Insurance companies are regulated by state departments of insurance, must meet minimum coverage standards, and are contractually obligated to pay covered claims. Health sharing ministries set their own guidelines for what is shareable, may exclude pre-existing conditions for a waiting period, and are not subject to state insurance regulations. In practice, established ministries like CHM (founded 1981) and Medi-Share (founded 1992) have reliably shared member expenses for decades.
Who Uses Health Sharing?
The 1.5 million Americans in health sharing programs are primarily self-employed individuals, freelancers, small business owners, early retirees (pre-Medicare), and families seeking lower monthly costs than ACA marketplace plans. Some members are motivated by faith-based community values. Others choose health sharing purely for cost savings — secular options like Zion HealthShare and Sedera require no religious affiliation.
Health sharing is most cost-effective for generally healthy individuals and families who do not have chronic conditions requiring ongoing treatment. Members with pre-existing conditions can join most plans but may face 6-12 month waiting periods before those conditions are shareable. Zion HealthShare is the only major plan that covers pre-existing conditions from day one with no waiting period.
What Does Health Sharing Cover?
Coverage varies by plan, but most health sharing ministries share expenses for doctor visits, emergency room visits, surgery, hospitalization, and maternity care. Some plans include telehealth, prescription drugs, mental health, and preventive care. No health sharing plan currently covers dental or vision as a standard benefit (Presidio Healthcare, a regulated insurance product, is the exception).
Each member has an Initial Unshareable Amount (IUA), which functions like a deductible. IUAs range from $300 (CHM) to $5,000 depending on the plan and tier. After meeting the IUA, eligible expenses are shared by the community, typically at 80-100% of the remaining cost. Processing time for shared expenses ranges from 30 to 90 days depending on the ministry.
How Much Does Health Sharing Cost Compared to Insurance?
| Plan | Type | Individual/mo | Family/mo | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zion HealthShare | healthshare | $185 - $268 | $555 - $804 | 4.8/5 |
| Presidio Healthcare | insurance | $300 - $600 | $900 - $1800 | 4.7/5 |
| CrowdHealth | crowdfunding | $60 - $220 | N/A | 4.6/5 |
| Medi-Share | healthshare | $227 - $405 | $681 - $1215 | 4.5/5 |
| Samaritan Ministries | healthshare | $220 - $495 | $660 - $1485 | 4.4/5 |
| Sedera | healthshare | $199 - $379 | $597 - $1137 | 4.3/5 |
| ACA Marketplace (avg) | Insurance | $450 - $700 | $1,200 - $2,000 | N/A |
ACA marketplace average based on HealthCare.gov 2026 data for unsubsidized Silver plans.
The Bottom Line
Health sharing is a legitimate alternative to health insurance used by over 1.5 million Americans. It costs 30-60% less than comparable ACA plans, with individual rates starting at $115/month. It is not insurance — there is no contractual guarantee of payment — but established ministries have reliably shared billions in medical expenses over 30+ years.
Health sharing works best for generally healthy individuals and families who want lower monthly costs and are comfortable with a voluntary sharing model. If you need guaranteed coverage or have significant pre-existing conditions, consider ACA marketplace insurance or Presidio Healthcare (regulated insurance starting at $300/month).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is health sharing legal?
Yes. Health sharing ministries are legal in all 50 states. They are recognized under ACA Section 1402(d) and operate as 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. As of 2019, there is no federal tax penalty for not having traditional insurance, though some states (CA, MA, NJ, RI, DC, VT) have individual mandates where health sharing may not qualify as coverage.
Can I use any doctor with health sharing?
Most plans allow any doctor. CHM, Medi-Share, Samaritan Ministries, and Sedera have no network restrictions. Zion HealthShare offers a Cigna PPO network with 950,000+ providers but also allows out-of-network care. Using in-network providers typically results in lower costs due to negotiated rates.
Do I need to be religious to join health sharing?
Not necessarily. Zion HealthShare, Sedera, and CrowdHealth have no faith requirement. Medi-Share requires a Christian statement of faith but not church attendance. CHM and Samaritan Ministries require both a Christian statement of faith and regular church attendance.
What happens if my expenses are not shared?
If an expense does not meet the plan's sharing guidelines, you are responsible for the full cost. Common exclusions include pre-existing conditions during the waiting period, dental and vision care, and lifestyle-related conditions. Each plan publishes its sharing guidelines, which specify exactly what is and is not eligible for sharing.
Can I have health sharing and insurance at the same time?
Yes. Some members use health sharing as their primary coverage and maintain a supplemental insurance policy for specific needs. Others use health sharing alongside an HSA-compatible plan (Zion HealthShare is HSA-compatible) to cover routine expenses while maintaining catastrophic protection.
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