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Altrua HealthShare vs Medi-Share: 2026 Comparison
Both Altrua and Medi-Share are Christian health sharing ministries, but they are not in the same league. Altrua (2.8/5) carries a 10-year pre-existing lookback, lifetime sharing caps, and dependent coverage only to age 23. Medi-Share (4.5/5) is the largest Christian ministry — 400,000+ members since 1993 — with a 36-month pre-existing wait, no annual or lifetime cap, and a 900,000+ provider PPO network. For Christian families, Medi-Share is the stronger, more established choice.
| Factor | Altrua HealthShare | Medi-Share |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost (Individual) | $356-$617 | $115-$470 |
| Initial Unshareable Amount (IUA) | $500 | $3,000 / $6,000 / $9,000 / $12,000 |
| Coverage Cap | Unlimited annual / $2,000,000 lifetime | None — no annual or lifetime sharing cap |
| Faith Requirement | Christian (light) | Christian (light) |
| Pre-Existing Wait | 24-60 months | 36 months |
| Network | First Health / PHCS | PHCS + First Health (MultiPlan) |
| Prescriptions | Not included | Included |
| Mental Health | Included | Included |
| Maternity | Included | Included |
| Processing Time | 30-45 business days | 45-60 days |
Verified July 2026 from official plan materials and each plan's official website.
For Christian households, Medi-Share offers far more protection and stability than Altrua.
Choose Medi-Share
The largest, most established Christian ministry (400,000+ members, 30+ years), no lifetime cap, a 900,000+ provider PPO network, and dependent coverage to ACA-standard ages. $115–470/month.
Consider Altrua only if
You want pooled office visits at a low entry price and accept the 10-year pre-existing lookback, lifetime caps, and age-23 dependent limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Medi-Share better than Altrua?
For most Christian households, yes. Medi-Share rates 4.5 vs Altrua 2.8, has no lifetime cap (Altrua caps at $1M–$2M), a far larger member pool, and broader dependent coverage.
Do both require Christian faith?
Yes. Both require a Christian statement of faith. Medi-Share is the larger and more established of the two.
Which has better pre-existing terms?
Medi-Share uses a 36-month wait, then capped sharing; Altrua applies a 10-year lookback with 2–5 year waits and some lifetime exclusions. Medi-Share is more generous.
Largest community
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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