Get your personal plan match in 2 minutes
Free, no forms.
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 — nearly 350,000 members since 1993 — with a 36-month pre-existing wait, no annual or lifetime cap, and a 1,000,000+ provider First Health PPO network. For Christian families, Medi-Share is the stronger, more established choice.
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 — nearly 350,000 members since 1993 — with a 36-month pre-existing wait, no annual or lifetime cap, and a 1,000,000+ provider First Health PPO network. For Christian families, Medi-Share is the stronger, more established choice.
| Factor | Altrua HealthShare | Medi-Share |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost (Individual) | $356-$617 | Quote-based (no published rate card) |
| Initial Unshareable Amount (IUA) | $500 | $3,000 / $6,000 / $9,000 / $12,000 |
| Coverage Cap | Unlimited annual / $2,000,000 lifetime | No sharing limits beyond the first month of membership. Sharing is limited to $50,000 the first month of membership. See Medi-Share Guidelines for limitations on sharing of pre-existing conditions and maternity. |
| Faith Requirement | Christian (light) | Christian (light) |
| Pre-Existing Wait | 24-60 months | 36 months |
| Network | First Health / PHCS | First Health |
| Prescriptions | Not included | Partial |
| Mental Health | Included | Partial |
| 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 (nearly 350,000 members, 30+ years), no lifetime cap, a 1,000,000+ provider First Health PPO network, and dependent coverage to ACA-standard ages. Monthly shares are quote-based.
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.
Ready to enroll?
These go straight to the plan’s own enrollment page — no extra hops.
Altrua HealthShare
2.8/5from $356/mo · Budget-conscious Christians wanting flexible plan tiers with pooled office visits and a 30-year track record
Medi-Share
4.5/5Monthly share varies · Christian families, established community with 30+ years history
How much is Medi-Share a month?
Medi-Share does not publish a universal rate card. The monthly share depends on the Annual Household Portion you choose ($3,000, $6,000, $9,000, or $12,000), date of birth, marital status, state, and household size, so a single adult needs a personalized quote. The one published starting price is $99 a month for Medi-Share 65+, for members 65 or older with Medicare Parts A and B. Our guide to how much Medi-Share costs a month walks through the AHP tiers and the costs sharing does not pick up.
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.
Christian sharing community
Medi-Share
Monthly share varies · ★ 4.5
A Christian bill-sharing ministry established in 1993. Get a personalized monthly share quote and review first-month and condition-specific eligibility limits before joining.
Not sure which plan fits you?
Chat with our advisor for 2 minutes — it'll match you to the right vetted plan for your budget, health needs, and faith preference.
Not sure which plan fits you? Our advisor matches you in about 2 minutes — free, no forms.
Find My Plan (2 min) →