2026 Health Sharing: What Changed This Year
Published February 2026 | 9 min read
The health sharing industry continues to evolve. In 2026, we are tracking price adjustments across most plans, new HSA-compatible options, growing secular alternatives, expanded coverage at some ministries, and ongoing regulatory scrutiny in several states. Here is everything that changed and what it means for members.
Pricing Changes Across the Board
Health sharing pricing in 2026 is a mixed bag. While ACA marketplace premiums increased an average of 7-9% for unsubsidized plans, health sharing ministries have held pricing more stable. Several plans kept rates flat or reduced them, while others increased modestly. Here is the current landscape.
| Plan | Individual/mo (2026) | Trend | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zion HealthShare | $185-$268 | Stable | No significant changes to base pricing |
| CHM | $115-$264 | Stable | Remains the cheapest option at $115/mo |
| CrowdHealth | ~$140 avg | Slight increase | Crowdfunding component rose with growing membership |
| Medi-Share | $227-$405 | Stable | Still the most expensive traditional ministry |
| Liberty HealthShare | $87-$450 | Reduced | Price reductions and improved benefits in recent updates |
| Impact Health Sharing | $73-$400 | Stable | No rate increases for 5+ consecutive years |
The overall picture: health sharing remains significantly cheaper than unsubsidized ACA plans. A healthy 35-year-old without subsidies can save $2,000-$5,000 per year by choosing health sharing over marketplace insurance. However, subsidized ACA plans may still be cheaper for those who qualify. See our cost comparison guide for detailed numbers.
HSA-Compatible Health Sharing Arrives
One of the most significant developments in 2026 is the maturation of HSA-compatible health sharing. HSA Secure (powered by Zion HealthShare with a MEC insurance component) now offers the only viable path to combining health sharing with HSA tax benefits. Starting at $170/month for individuals, it includes a qualified MEC preventive care plan that allows members to contribute to a Health Savings Account.
This matters because HSA contributions are triple-tax-advantaged: tax-deductible going in, tax-free growth, and tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical expenses. For a self-employed individual in the 24% tax bracket contributing the maximum $4,150 to an HSA, that is approximately $1,000 in annual tax savings on top of the already-lower health sharing costs.
Zion HealthShare itself also remains HSA-compatible, and JHS Community offers HSA pairing through a MEC add-on. However, HSA Secure is the only plan designed specifically around HSA compatibility from the ground up. For a complete breakdown, read our guide on HSA-compatible health sharing plans.
Secular Options Continue to Grow
When health sharing began in the 1980s and 1990s, every option required Christian faith. That landscape has shifted dramatically. In 2026, members who do not want faith requirements can choose from at least five options:
- Zion HealthShare — any faith, $185-$268/mo, 4.8/5 rating, PPO network
- Sedera — fully secular, $199-$379/mo, 4.3/5 rating, any doctor
- CrowdHealth — secular crowdfunding, ~$140/mo avg, 4.6/5 rating, any doctor
- HSA Secure — secular, $170-$320/mo, 4.0/5 rating, HSA-compatible
- JHS Community — any faith, $75-$375/mo, 3.2/5 rating, PPO network
This is a meaningful expansion from just a few years ago. Non-religious individuals now have competitive options across all price points, from budget (CrowdHealth at ~$140/mo) to comprehensive (Sedera at $199-$379/mo). For details, see our guide to non-religious health sharing plans.
Coverage Expansions and Reductions
Several plans adjusted their coverage scope in 2026. Here are the most notable changes.
Mental health coverage is expanding. Solidarity HealthShare continues to offer the industry's most comprehensive mental health coverage (unlimited counseling, medication, and hospitalization on its ONE plan). Zion HealthShare, Sedera, and CrowdHealth all include mental health sharing. Liberty HealthShare added free DialCare telehealth and therapy on its Unite, Connect, and Essential plans. This is a significant shift — as recently as 2023, most health sharing plans excluded mental health entirely.
Prescription coverage remains a gap. Only Zion HealthShare, Sedera, CrowdHealth, and HSA Secure include prescription drug sharing in their base plans. CHM, Medi-Share, Samaritan Ministries, Liberty, OneShare, Altrua, and netWell still do not share prescription costs, though most offer discount programs. If you take regular medications, this is a critical factor. See our prescription coverage guide.
Pre-existing condition policies are polarizing. Zion HealthShare continues to stand alone with zero waiting period for pre-existing conditions. Meanwhile, Impact Health Sharing maintains one of the industry's longest waiting periods at 36 months. Altrua HealthShare's 10-year lookback period and potential lifetime exclusions for certain conditions remain among the strictest. The gap between the best and worst pre-existing policies continues to widen.
Regulatory Landscape and State Actions
Health sharing ministries operate under religious exemptions from insurance regulation, but that exemption is not unlimited. Several states have taken action in recent years, and 2026 continues that trend.
State availability gaps persist. JHS Community remains unavailable in 17 states. netWell cannot operate in California, Maryland, Vermont, or Washington. CrowdHealth does not satisfy employer coverage mandates in six states plus DC. Before joining any plan, verify it operates in your state. Our state regulations guide covers the details.
Liberty HealthShare's restructuring. Following its Ohio Attorney General settlement and class action lawsuit, Liberty HealthShare restructured leadership in 2021 and has worked to rebuild trust. In 2025, it implemented price reductions and enhanced benefits. However, members still report claims processing times of 120-180 days — far longer than the industry standard of 30-60 days.
JHS Community faces scrutiny. Settlements with New Hampshire and North Dakota attorneys general have raised concerns about regulatory compliance. We recommend researching any plan's legal history before enrolling.
Market Trends to Watch
The faith-to-secular shift. The fastest-growing health sharing options are secular or any-faith plans. Zion HealthShare (founded 2017), CrowdHealth (founded 2021), and HSA Secure (founded 2013) are all gaining ground against established Christian ministries. This reflects broader demand from self-employed workers, freelancers, and gig economy participants who want affordable coverage without religious requirements.
Technology and transparency. CrowdHealth's transparent monthly cost reporting and Impact Health Sharing's 500+ dynamic pricing points represent a move toward more modern, tech-driven health sharing. Expect more plans to adopt digital-first enrollment, real-time claims tracking, and transparent pricing models.
Convergence with insurance. Presidio Healthcare ($300-$600/month) and HSA Secure (MEC component) represent a blurring line between health sharing and traditional insurance. These hybrid models may become more common as consumers seek the cost savings of health sharing with some of the regulatory protections of insurance.
Wellness incentives. Impact Health Sharing's Wellness Rewards program (earn up to $150/month toward deductible reduction) and CrowdHealth's preventive care incentives suggest a trend toward rewarding healthy behavior with lower costs. This aligns health sharing economics more closely with member health outcomes.
What This Means for You
If you are already a health sharing member: Review your current plan's 2026 pricing and coverage. If your plan increased rates or reduced benefits, now is a good time to compare alternatives. Health sharing plans are month-to-month, so switching is straightforward. Use our comparison tool to evaluate options.
If you are considering health sharing for the first time: The market is more competitive than ever. Secular options like Zion HealthShare and CrowdHealth have made health sharing accessible beyond Christian communities. HSA-compatible options add meaningful tax advantages. Start with our free quiz to narrow your options.
If you have pre-existing conditions: The gap between plans is wider than ever. Zion HealthShare (no waiting period) and Presidio Healthcare (guaranteed insurance coverage) are the strongest options. Avoid plans with 24-36 month waiting periods unless your conditions are well-controlled. See our pre-existing conditions guide.
If you want HSA tax benefits: HSA Secure is currently the best-designed option. Read our HSA tax strategy guide for the full breakdown.
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