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Medi-Share Cost & Pricing 2026: What You Actually Pay
Medi-Share is the largest health sharing ministry in the US — 400,000+ members, founded in 1993, and a track record most plans can't match. But what does it actually cost? And what are you getting for that money?
Here is the complete pricing breakdown for 2026, plus the coverage details you need to know before you sign up.
Medi-Share Monthly Costs (2026)
Your monthly contribution depends on three things: your age, your household size, and the AHP you choose. AHP (Annual Household Portion) is Medi-Share's term for your annual out-of-pocket responsibility before they share costs — similar to an annual deductible. Current AHP options are $3,000, $6,000, $9,000, and $12,000.
Representative Monthly Costs by Household
| Household Example | AHP Selected | Est. Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Single adult, 30s | $12,000 | $150–$250 |
| Single adult, 30s | $3,000 | $260–$340 |
| Couple, 40s | $6,000 | $450–$650 |
| Family of 4, 50s | $9,000 | $650–$850 |
Examples sourced from Medi-Share's published pricing guidance. Actual rates vary by age, state, and household composition — use the calculator at medishare.com for your exact quote.
Overall Monthly Range by Household Size
| Household | Low End (high AHP) | High End (low AHP) |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | ~$115/mo | ~$470/mo |
| Couple | ~$219/mo | ~$720/mo |
| Family of 4 | ~$390/mo | ~$850/mo |
Understanding the AHP
The AHP (Annual Household Portion) is your household's annual out-of-pocket responsibility — similar to an annual deductible. Once your household has paid your AHP amount in eligible medical expenses for the year, Medi-Share shares the remaining eligible costs. There is no annual or lifetime cap on sharing after the AHP is met.
Medi-Share Complete currently offers four AHP tiers: $3,000, $6,000, $9,000, and $12,000. Choosing a higher AHP lowers your monthly contribution significantly but increases your out-of-pocket exposure in a bad year.
AHP Selection Rule of Thumb
- $3,000 AHP: Lowest out-of-pocket risk each year, but you pay more monthly. Good if you use healthcare regularly or want predictability.
- $6,000 AHP: Middle ground. Lower monthly cost, manageable exposure for most families with savings.
- $9,000–$12,000 AHP: Lowest monthly cost — catastrophic-level protection. Works best if you're healthy, rarely need care, and have savings to cover that AHP in a worst-case year.
Note: To be eligible for maternity sharing, your AHP must be $3,000 or higher.
What Medi-Share Covers
| Coverage Area | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital & surgery | ✓ Yes | After AHP; no annual or lifetime cap |
| Emergency room | ✓ Yes | Covered; AHP applies |
| Telehealth | ✓ Yes | 24/7 access; $0 consultation |
| Mental health (telehealth) | ✓ Yes | TeleBehavioral health included |
| Maternity | ✓ Yes | 12-month membership required; AHP must be $3K+; $125K cap per pregnancy |
| Preventive care | ✓ Yes | Annual physicals with limited labs |
| Prescriptions (new conditions) | ⚠ Partial | Up to 6 months of sharing for new acute diagnoses; discount programs (Navitus, GoodRx) for all members |
| Prescriptions (chronic/ongoing) | ✗ No | Maintenance meds not shared; use discount programs |
| Mental health (in-person therapy) | ✗ No | Outpatient therapy sessions not shared |
| Dental | ✗ No | Discount program offered; no sharing |
| Vision | ✗ No | Discount program offered; no sharing |
| Pre-existing conditions | ⚠ Partial | 36-mo wait, then capped ($100K/yr after 3 yrs, $500K/yr after 5 yrs) |
Prescription Coverage: The Real Story
Medi-Share's prescription coverage is more nuanced than a flat yes or no. For new acute conditions — say you get an infection and need antibiotics, or you're newly diagnosed with something — Medi-Share will share those prescription costs for up to six months. After that period, or if the medication is for an ongoing chronic condition you had before joining, it becomes your out-of-pocket expense.
All members get access to prescription discounts through Navitus Health Solutions and GoodRx, which can cut costs meaningfully on generics. But for brand-name or specialty maintenance medications, these discounts rarely close the full gap.
Prescription cost check before you switch:
Look up your regular medications at GoodRx.com — those are roughly the prices you'd see on Medi-Share for ongoing maintenance drugs. If the total is under $50/month, the savings on your monthly contribution likely cover it. If it's $150+/month in ongoing meds, factor that into your all-in cost comparison before deciding.
Pre-Existing Conditions: The 36-Month Wait
Medi-Share does cover pre-existing conditions — eventually. Here's the waiting period (keep in mind that under ACA rules, insurance plans must cover pre-existing conditions from day one with no waiting period):
- Months 1–36: Not shared at all (you pay 100%)
- After 36 months: Shared up to $100,000 per member per year
- After 60 months: Cap rises to $500,000 per member per year
“Pre-existing” means any condition for which you received treatment, diagnosis, or advice in the 36 months before joining. A high blood pressure diagnosis from two years ago is pre-existing. A surgery from four years ago is not pre-existing by Medi-Share's definition.
Compare that to Zion HealthShare, which covers HBP, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes from month 1 (for members without prior hospitalization). If any of those three apply to you, Zion may be a better fit on pre-existing coverage.
How Medi-Share Compares to Competitors
| Plan | Individual (age 40) | Rx (chronic) | Mental Health Outpatient | Pre-existing Wait | Faith Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medi-Share | ~$280–340/mo | ✗ | ✗ | 36 mo | Yes |
| Zion HealthShare | $215–268/mo | ✓ | ✓ | Phase-in* | No |
| CHM | $115–299/mo | ✗ | ✗ | 12 mo | Yes (strict) |
| Samaritan Ministries | $199–365/mo | ✗ | ✗ | 12–24 mo | Yes |
| CrowdHealth | $60–200/mo | ✓ | ✓ | 2 years | No |
*Zion covers HBP, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes from month 1 (with conditions). All other pre-existing: phase-in applies.
Want every plan's rates in one place? The 2026 health sharing cost index covers all 16 tracked plans with individual and family pricing side by side.
Medi-Share vs ACA Insurance: The Real Cost Difference
For unsubsidized buyers — self-employed, early retirees, gig workers who don't qualify for subsidies — ACA plans are expensive. The KFF benchmark premium tracker shows a 40-year-old buying an unsubsidized Silver plan pays roughly $550–$750/month depending on state. Medi-Share at the same age runs roughly $280–$340/month.
That's $210–$410/month in savings — or $2,500–$5,000/year. Over five years without a major health event, that is a real number.
But ACA plans cover ongoing prescriptions, outpatient mental health, and pre-existing conditions from day 1 — and under the ACA, insurers are legally required to cover pre-existing conditions with no waiting periods. Medi-Share is not legally required to do the same. If any of those gaps matter to your situation, the savings aren't free — you're trading coverage for cost.
Annual Cost: Medi-Share vs ACA (40-year-old individual, no major claims)
Who Medi-Share Is Right For
Medi-Share is a strong fit if you:
- Are a Christian willing to sign a statement of faith
- Take no regular maintenance prescriptions (or only cheap generics)
- Are generally healthy with no active treatment underway
- Want the security of a large, 30-year-old community (400,000+ members)
- Are self-employed, early retired, or buying on the individual market without subsidies
Medi-Share is a poor fit if you:
- Take regular brand-name or specialty maintenance medications
- Need in-person mental health therapy
- Have serious active pre-existing conditions you need covered immediately
- Are not comfortable signing a Christian statement of faith
- Are pregnant now (maternity requires 12 months of membership first)
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Medi-Share cost per month?
Roughly $115–$470/month for individuals, $219–$720/month for couples, $390–$850/month for a family of 4. Your exact rate depends on your age and the AHP tier you choose. Use the calculator at medishare.com for a precise quote.
What is the AHP and what are my options?
The AHP (Annual Household Portion) is your household's annual out-of-pocket amount before Medi-Share shares costs. Current options: $3,000, $6,000, $9,000, or $12,000 per year. Higher AHP = lower monthly, higher out-of-pocket risk. Lower AHP = higher monthly, lower out-of-pocket risk.
Does Medi-Share cover prescriptions?
Partially. New acute diagnoses get up to 6 months of prescription sharing. Ongoing maintenance medications are not shared — you use discount programs (Navitus, GoodRx). If you take regular long-term meds, calculate that cost separately when comparing total out-of-pocket.
Is Medi-Share worth it?
For healthy Christians who buy individual market coverage without subsidies and take minimal maintenance medications: usually yes. Savings of $2,500–$5,000/year are common vs unsubsidized ACA. If you take regular prescriptions, need in-person mental health therapy, or have active pre-existing conditions, do the full math first.
Compare your options: Full Medi-Share review | Medi-Share vs CrowdHealth | Zion vs Medi-Share | All plans side by side | Take the quiz
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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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