TL;DR

• Medi-Share is the largest with 350,000+ members, founded in 1993.
• CHM has 300,000+ members, the most affordable entry at $115/mo, but requires strict faith adherence.
• Samaritan Ministries serves 250,000+ members with a $250K/need cap.
• Zion HealthShare reports 75,000+ members and Sedera 50,000+ members, but they differ on faith requirements.
• CrowdHealth is a crowdfunding platform with 17,000+ members, distinct from traditional health sharing.
• Knew Health has thousands of members and offers an IUA of $1,000–$5,000 with no co-share percentage.

Why Membership Size Matters for Your Healthcare Choice

When you are navigating the landscape of healthcare alternatives, the size of the community you are joining is often the first number that jumps out. But what does that number actually mean for your medical bills, your peace of mind, and your ability to find care? In 2026, health sharing plans range from established ministries with hundreds of thousands of members to newer, agile platforms with smaller but growing communities. It helps to understand the context: the KFF estimates roughly 25–30 million Americans remain uninsured, making this a large and growing market for alternatives like health sharing.

Membership size often correlates with financial stability and the speed of sharing. A larger pool of members can distribute costs more widely, potentially smoothing out the impact of high-cost incidents for the individual. However, a smaller community might offer a more personalized experience or faster administrative processing. Regardless of size, every plan operates differently regarding costs, faith requirements, and coverage rules.

Before you commit to a specific program, it is vital to understand how these numbers align with your specific healthcare needs. Some plans prioritize low monthly contributions, while others focus on unlimited sharing caps or secular eligibility. If you are trying to narrow down which structure fits your family best, you can use our interactive plan finder to filter by your specific budget and health requirements at our interactive plan finder.

In this guide, we will break down the verified member counts for the leading plans in 2026. We will also look at how membership size interacts with other critical factors like the Initial Unshareable Amount (IUA), pre-existing condition waiting periods, and monthly contribution costs. This data is essential for making an informed decision about your family's financial health.

The Largest Health Sharing Ministries

The traditional health sharing model relies on a community of believers sharing medical expenses. The three largest players in this space have been operating for decades, providing a sense of stability and community. If you are looking for a program with a proven track record and a massive pool of contributors, these are the organizations you will likely encounter first.

Medi-Share

Medi-Share stands as the largest health sharing ministry in the industry. Founded in 1993 and based in Melbourne, FL, it currently serves 350,000+ members. This scale makes it one of the most recognized names in the sector. Monthly contributions vary significantly by age and plan tier, ranging from $115 to $470 per month for individuals and $390 to $850 for a family of four.

One of the defining features of Medi-Share is its AHP (Annual Household Portion), which acts as your cost-sharing threshold. You can choose options of $3,000, $6,000, $9,000, or $12,000. There is no annual or lifetime sharing cap, meaning eligible expenses are shared regardless of the total amount. However, it requires a Christian-light faith requirement, and while church attendance is not strictly required, adherence to a statement of faith is mandatory.

Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM)

CHM holds the second spot in terms of membership, serving 300,000+ members. Founded in 1981 in Barberton, OH, it is one of the oldest programs available. CHM is often cited as the most affordable entry point, with monthly contributions starting as low as $115 for individuals and $345 for families.

The trade-off for this affordability is a strict adherence to guidelines. CHM requires a Christian-strict faith requirement and mandatory church attendance. Their financial structure is unique, utilizing an IUA (Initial Unshareable Amount) ranging from $300 to $1,000 plus a 20% co-share on eligible bills. The sharing cap is $125K per incident, though this can be extended to $1M per illness via the Brother's Keeper option.

Samaritan Ministries

Rounding out the top three is Samaritan Ministries, serving 250,000+ members. Established in 1994 in Lancaster, PA, it offers a classic health sharing model with a strong focus on community connection. Monthly costs range from $199 to $365 for individuals and $699 to $715 for families.

Like CHM, Samaritan requires a Christian-strict faith requirement and church attendance. They utilize an IUA of $300, $500, or $1,000 and a 20% co-share structure. The sharing cap is set at $250K per need for the Classic plan. If you are considering a plan with a long history but strict religious adherence, this is a primary option to evaluate against Medi-Share. You can review their specific cost structures in our side-by-side comparison tool.

Growing Contenders: Mid-Size and Secular Options

As the market has evolved, new players have entered the space with different models. These plans often cater to those who may not fit the strict religious criteria of the larger ministries or who are looking for different cost-sharing structures. While they have smaller member bases, they have grown significantly since their founding.

Zion HealthShare

Zion HealthShare represents a modern approach to health sharing. Founded in 2019 in Denver, CO, it has grown to serve 75,000+ members. What sets Zion apart is its flexibility regarding faith. It is an any-faith plan, meaning there is no faith requirement, though church attendance is not required.

Monthly costs for Zion start at $161 for individuals and $334 for families, which is competitive with the larger ministries. The IUA options are $1,250, $2,500, or $5,000, with a co-share of 10-20%. Notably, Zion covers pre-existing conditions differently; high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes are covered from month one if no hospitalization occurred in the prior 12 months. There is no per-incident cap and no annual or lifetime cap — sharing is unlimited per need.

Sedera

Sedera, founded in 2014 in Austin, TX, also serves 50,000+ members. It positions itself as a secular health sharing option, requiring no faith requirement and no church attendance. Monthly contributions range from $153 to $742 for individuals and up to $2,088 for families.

Sedera offers unlimited sharing with no maximum per event. Their IUA structure is flexible, ranging from $500 to $5,000, with a 20% co-share. However, the pre-existing condition policy is strict; there is a 12-36 month phase-in, and nothing is shared in the first 12 months. After that, graduated annual caps apply until full shareability is reached after 36 months.

Knew Health

Knew Health is a newer entrant, founded in 2019 in Darien, IL. While they have thousands of members, they are still growing compared to the established giants. They offer a secular model with no faith requirement.

The cost structure for Knew is unique because they have 0% co-share. You pay the IUA, which ranges from $1,000 to $5,000, and the plan shares the rest. The monthly cost starts around $142 for individuals. Like Sedera, they have an unlimited sharing cap. Pre-existing conditions face a phase-in period, so it is crucial to read the member guidelines for the exact schedule before enrolling.

The Crowdfunding Alternative

It is vital to distinguish between health sharing ministries and healthcare crowdfunding platforms. While they both involve pooling money to pay medical bills, the mechanics and risks differ. The NAIC has published consumer guidance specifically warning that neither traditional health sharing ministries nor crowdfunding platforms are insurance, and that members have limited legal recourse if a need is not funded.

CrowdHealth

CrowdHealth is not a health sharing ministry; it is a healthcare crowdfunding platform. Founded in 2021 in Austin, TX, it serves 17,000+ members. Because it is not insurance or a traditional ministry, it does not have the same regulatory frameworks.

The cost structure involves a monthly advocacy fee of $60 plus variable crowdfunding costs, which average around $140 per month for individuals under 55. Total costs can range from $60 to $200 per month for individuals and $180 to $405 for families. There is an IUA of $500 and variable co-share based on the crowdfunding activity.

Crucially, CrowdHealth offers no coverage caps. There is no maximum limit per event. However, pre-existing conditions are ineligible for the first 2 years, and from Year 3+, limits apply (currently up to $25K/year). This distinction is essential if you have a chronic condition. You should verify the latest pre-existing condition rules directly with CrowdHealth before enrolling, as schedules can change.

Plan Comparison Table: Members, Costs, and Limits

To make the data easier to digest, we have compiled the key metrics for each plan side-by-side. This table highlights the differences in member counts, costs, and coverage structures.

Pre-Existing Conditions and Membership Stability

One of the most critical factors to consider is how a plan handles pre-existing conditions. While larger member pools can sometimes absorb costs more easily, the rules set by the organization are what dictate your eligibility. The size of the membership does not guarantee coverage for conditions you already have.

For example, Medi-Share shares 25% of eligible expenses in the first year for pre-existing conditions, rising to 100% by the fourth year. This phase-in ensures the fund remains stable for new members. CHM has a shorter wait of 6 months but shares only 50% during that initial period. Samaritan follows a similar 12-month rule, sharing 50% in the first year.

Secular options like Zion HealthShare and Sedera have different mechanisms. Zion specifically covers high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes from day one, provided there was no prior hospitalization. This makes them attractive for those with common chronic conditions who do not fit the strict faith models. Sedera, however, imposes a longer phase-in period of up to 36 months before full shareability is achieved.

When you are comparing plans, do not just look at the total member count. Look at the specific policy language regarding your health history. If you have a chronic condition, a plan with a phase-in period might not be the right fit for you immediately. You can use our plan matching quiz to see which plans align with your medical history before applying.

Cost vs. Size: Does Bigger Mean Better?

A common assumption is that a larger membership count leads to lower costs. However, the data from 2026 suggests this is not always true. CHM, with 300,000+ members, offers the lowest starting monthly contribution at $115 for individuals. Conversely, Medi-Share, with 350,000+ members, also starts at $115, but costs can rise significantly higher depending on the age and AHP selected.

Sedera, with 50,000+ members, has a wider cost range for individuals, starting at $153 but going up to $742. This variability is often due to the age of the member or specific plan tiers. Knew Health, despite having only thousands of members, starts at $142, which is competitive with the larger organizations.

The cost efficiency often comes down to the IUA structure rather than just the membership count. A lower IUA usually means a higher monthly contribution. For example, CrowdHealth has a low IUA of $500, but the crowdfunding costs can vary. Medi-Share allows you to choose an AHP of $3,000 to $12,000, giving you flexibility to balance your monthly cash flow against your out-of-pocket responsibility during a claim.

If your priority is minimizing monthly payments, CHM and Medi-Share offer the lowest entry points. If your priority is avoiding co-shares, Knew Health stands out with its 0% co-share model. Understanding your budget and risk tolerance is more important than the raw member count.

Final Considerations Before Enrolling

Choosing a health sharing plan or crowdfunding service is a significant financial decision. The member count provides a snapshot of the organization's scale, but it does not tell the whole story. You must weigh the size against the rules, the costs, and the faith requirements.

If you need a plan with no faith requirements, Zion HealthShare, Sedera, Knew Health, and CrowdHealth are the primary options. Among these, Zion has the largest community at 75,000+ members, with Sedera at 50,000+ members. If you are comfortable with a Christian-strict environment, CHM and Samaritan offer established communities with lower starting costs.

For those seeking the largest possible network, Medi-Share is the clear leader with 350,000+ members, providing a sense of broad community support. However, remember that with any health sharing plan, you are entering into a voluntary agreement to share costs, not purchasing insurance. There are no guarantees of coverage, and guidelines can change.

We strongly recommend reviewing the Member Guidelines PDF for any plan you are considering. This document will detail the exact schedule for pre-existing conditions and the specific definitions of eligible expenses. It is the only way to ensure you understand what is covered before you join. State laws governing health sharing vary widely — the National Conference of State Legislatures tracks state-by-state health sharing ministry laws, and some states impose additional disclosure requirements or restrictions on which plans may operate there.

Ready to find the best fit for your family? Start by comparing the detailed profiles of each provider on our comparison page. If you are unsure which category fits your lifestyle, take our eligibility quiz to narrow down your options based on faith, budget, and health needs.