CrowdHealth vs Health Sharing Plans: Two Different Models Compared
Last updated: February 2026 | All pricing and features verified from official sources
CrowdHealth and traditional health sharing ministries are both alternatives to insurance, but they work in fundamentally different ways. CrowdHealth is a healthcare crowdfunding platform where members voluntarily fund each other's medical bills. Health sharing ministries pool monthly contributions into a shared fund that is used to pay eligible expenses. The result: different costs, different risks, and different kinds of people each model serves best.
This guide explains the structural differences, compares real costs, and helps you decide which model makes sense for your situation.
How Each Model Works
CrowdHealth: Crowdfunding Model
- You pay a fixed $60/month advocacy fee
- You contribute a variable crowdfunding amount (~$80/month average)
- When you have a medical bill, you submit it to CrowdHealth
- CrowdHealth's advocacy team negotiates the bill (30–60% discounts)
- The bill is posted to the community for funding
- Members voluntarily fund the bill from their accounts
- You pay a $500 member commitment per health event
Key distinction: funding is voluntary. There is no pooled fund guaranteeing payment. 99% of approved bills have been funded.
Health Sharing: Pooled Contribution Model
- You pay a fixed monthly contribution ($115–$495)
- Contributions go into a shared pool
- When you have an eligible medical expense, you submit it
- The ministry reviews it against sharing guidelines
- After your IUA (deductible), the pool pays your eligible expenses
- You pay a co-share of 10–20% on the remaining balance
Key distinction: sharing comes from a pooled fund with established guidelines. Not guaranteed like insurance, but more systematic than crowdfunding.
The structural difference matters. With health sharing, your monthly contribution goes into a communal pool managed by the ministry. With CrowdHealth, your money sits in your account until a community member's bill needs funding. CrowdHealth gives you more transparency into where your money goes but less certainty that your own bills will be funded (though the 99% funding rate is strong).
Cost Comparison: CrowdHealth vs Health Sharing
CrowdHealth is consistently one of the cheapest options for individuals. Here is how it stacks up against every major health sharing plan:
| Plan | Model | Individual/mo | IUA / Commitment | Coverage Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CrowdHealth | Crowdfunding | ~$140 avg | $500 per event | No cap |
| Zion HealthShare | Health sharing | $185–$268 | $500, $1000, $2000 | Unlimited |
| Sedera | Health sharing | $199–$379 | $500, $1000, $2000 | Unlimited |
| Samaritan Ministries | Health sharing | $220–$495 | $300, $500, $1000 | Unlimited |
| Medi-Share | Health sharing | $227–$405 | $500, $1000, $2000 | $250,000 |
CrowdHealth's average $140/month cost is lower than most health sharing plans. Only CHM at $115/month undercuts it — but CHM requires strict Christian faith and church attendance, does not cover prescriptions or mental health, and has a 6-month pre-existing waiting period.
One important cost detail: CrowdHealth's $60/month advocacy fee is fixed regardless of your health events. That represents 30–43% of your total monthly cost. Think of it as an administrative fee for bill negotiation, claims management, and platform access.
What Each Model Covers
CrowdHealth takes a “fund anything” approach, while health sharing ministries have specific sharing guidelines that define what is and is not eligible.
| Coverage Area | CrowdHealth | Zion HealthShare | CHM | Medi-Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency / Surgery | Crowdfunded | Shared | Shared | Shared |
| Prescriptions | Crowdfunded | Shared | Not shared | Not shared |
| Mental Health | Crowdfunded | Shared | Not shared | Not shared |
| Telehealth | Crowdfunded | Shared | Not shared | Shared |
| Maternity | Crowdfunded | Shared | Shared | Shared |
| Preventive Care | Incentivized | Shared | Shared | Shared |
| Bill Negotiation | Yes (30–60% off) | PPO network rates | No | No |
| Processing Speed | Immediate (community) | 30–45 days | 30–45 days | 45–60 days |
CrowdHealth's coverage model is broader in theory — any legitimate medical bill can be submitted for community funding. But “crowdfunded” means the community decides what to fund, whereas health sharing has established guidelines that create more predictability. CrowdHealth also stands out with its bill negotiation service, which can significantly reduce costs before they even reach the community.
Pre-Existing Conditions: A Critical Difference
How each model handles pre-existing conditions varies dramatically and can make or break the value proposition depending on your health history:
| Plan | Pre-Existing Policy | Year 1 Limit | Full Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| CrowdHealth | Not eligible year 1 | $0 | Year 4+ ($100K/year) |
| Zion HealthShare | No waiting period | Unlimited | Month 1 |
| CHM | 6-month wait | 50% shared | Month 7 |
| Sedera | 6-month wait | 50% shared | Month 7 |
| Medi-Share | 12-month phased | 25% shared | Year 4 |
CrowdHealth has the most restrictive pre-existing condition policy: nothing is eligible in year one, and limits gradually increase ($25K year 2, $50K year 3, $100K year 4+). If you have any pre-existing condition, CrowdHealth is a poor choice for at least the first two years.
Zion HealthShare is the clear winner for pre-existing conditions with no waiting period. If you have any health history, this single factor tips the value calculation heavily in Zion's favor despite its higher monthly cost. See our pre-existing conditions guide for a deeper analysis.
Risk Profile: Crowdfunding vs Pooled Sharing
Neither CrowdHealth nor health sharing ministries are insurance. Neither guarantees payment. But the risk profiles differ:
CrowdHealth Risks
- Crowdfunding is voluntary — community chooses what to fund
- Smaller community (17,000+ members) means less funding capacity
- Founded 2021 — limited track record (5 years)
- Pre-existing conditions severely limited for first 2 years
- No tobacco users accepted
- Does not satisfy state insurance mandates in 6 states
Health Sharing Risks
- Sharing is voluntary — no contractual guarantee of payment
- Larger communities (50K–400K members) provide more stability
- 30+ year track record for established plans (CHM, Medi-Share)
- Pre-existing waiting periods of 6–12 months (except Zion)
- IUA resets per incident — no annual out-of-pocket cap
- Processing delays of 30–60 days are common
The fundamental risk with CrowdHealth is concentration: 17,000 members is a small pool. A few catastrophic health events could strain funding capacity. Established ministries with 100,000–400,000 members have more financial resilience and decades of operational history to demonstrate reliability.
CrowdHealth mitigates this risk with transparency (you can see funding rates) and bill negotiation (reducing the total amount that needs funding). Their 99% funding rate on approved bills is strong, but the platform has only been tested during a period of rapid growth, not during a prolonged economic downturn.
Who Should Choose CrowdHealth vs Health Sharing
Choose CrowdHealth if you are...
- Healthy individual under 55 with no pre-existing conditions
- Looking for the absolute lowest monthly cost (~$140/month)
- Comfortable with a newer, crowdfunding-based model
- Self-employed or between jobs wanting month-to-month flexibility
- Non-smoker (tobacco users are not accepted)
- Not living in a mandate state (CA, MA, NJ, RI, DC, VT)
Choose health sharing if you are...
- A family (CrowdHealth does not offer family plans)
- Anyone with pre-existing conditions (choose Zion HealthShare)
- Wanting a more established model with decades of track record
- Looking for HSA compatibility (Zion HealthShare)
- Preferring a PPO network with negotiated provider rates
- Seeking larger community size (50K–400K members)
The Bottom Line
CrowdHealth and health sharing solve the same problem — affordable healthcare without traditional insurance — but through different mechanisms. CrowdHealth is cheaper ($140/month vs $185–$495/month) and more flexible (cancel anytime), but has a smaller community, stricter pre-existing condition limits, and a shorter track record.
For healthy individuals under 55 who want the lowest cost and maximum flexibility, CrowdHealth is a compelling option. For families, anyone with pre-existing conditions, or people who want more established infrastructure, Zion HealthShare offers better overall value with no pre-existing waiting period, HSA compatibility, and a 950,000+ provider PPO network.
Not sure which model is right for you? Take our free 2-minute quiz or compare all plans side-by-side.
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