Get your personal plan match in 2 minutes
Free, no forms. Matched on your answers — not commissions.
CHM vs CrowdHealth: Full Comparison for 2026
CHM and CrowdHealth sit at opposite ends of health sharing. CHM, founded in 1981 with 300,000+ members, is the oldest and most affordable ministry — $115–$299/month for an individual — but requires a strict Christian statement of faith with church attendance, and does not include telehealth or prescriptions. CrowdHealth, founded in 2021 with 17,000+ members, is not health sharing at all but healthcare crowdfunding: a flat $60/month advocacy fee plus a variable contribution (averaging around $140/month for members under 55, capped at $200/month), fully secular, with telehealth, prescriptions, maternity, and mental health included. Here is how the two actually compare.
| Factor | CHM | CrowdHealth |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost (Individual) | $115-$299 | $60-$200 |
| Initial Unshareable Amount (IUA) | $300 / $500 / $1,000 | $500 |
| Coverage Cap | $125,000 per illness base; CHM Plus add-on ($42/unit/mo) extends to $1M per illness (Silver/Bronze) or unlimited (Gold). | None — no maximum per event |
| Faith Requirement | Strict Christian | None (secular) |
| Pre-Existing Wait | 12 months | 2 years ineligible |
| Network | No network restriction | Any doctor — no network |
| Prescriptions | Not included | Included |
| Mental Health | Not included | Included |
| Maternity | Included | Included |
| Processing Time | 30-45 days | Immediate (community funded) |
Verified July 2026 from official plan materials and each plan's official website.
CHM is the budget, faith-anchored ministry for committed Christians; CrowdHealth is the secular crowdfunding option with broader day-to-day benefits and no per-event cap.
Choose CHM if
You are a committed Christian comfortable with a strict statement of faith and church-attendance expectation, want the lowest possible entry cost ($115/month individual), and reach full pre-existing-condition sharing after 12 months symptom-free. CHM has the longest track record in the industry (since 1981) and shares up to $125,000 per illness (extendable via the optional CHM Plus add-on).
Choose CrowdHealth if
You want no faith requirement, no per-event sharing cap, and built-in telehealth, prescriptions, maternity, and mental health. CrowdHealth is crowdfunding rather than health sharing, it is newer (since 2021) with a smaller 17,000+ member base, and pre-existing conditions are not eligible for the first two years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CHM or CrowdHealth cheaper?
CHM has the lower floor at $115/month for an individual. CrowdHealth is a flat $60/month advocacy fee plus a variable contribution that averages around $140/month for members under 55, capped at $200/month total — close to CHM's range for younger members, and more predictable at the top end because of the cap.
Does either require a religious faith?
CHM does — a strict Christian statement of faith plus regular church attendance verified by a pastor. CrowdHealth requires no faith statement at all; it is fully secular.
Which has the shorter pre-existing condition wait?
CHM. A condition is no longer considered pre-existing after 12 months symptom-free (5 years for cancer). CrowdHealth does not fund pre-existing conditions at all for the first two years, then shares up to roughly $25,000/year from year three.
Does either include prescriptions or telehealth?
CrowdHealth does — telehealth, prescriptions, maternity, and mental health are all part of its base program. CHM does not include prescription, telehealth, or mental health coverage in its base ministry.
Which has a higher sharing cap?
CHM caps sharing at $125,000 per illness in its base program, extendable to $1M per illness or unlimited with the optional CHM Plus add-on ($42/unit/month). CrowdHealth states no maximum per health event.
Which is more established?
CHM by a wide margin — founded in 1981 with 300,000+ members, versus CrowdHealth's 2021 founding and 17,000+ members. CrowdHealth is rated slightly higher (4.6/5 vs CHM's 4.4/5), but CHM has the far longer track record.
Lowest cost
CrowdHealth
from $60/mo · ★ 4.6
One of the lowest-cost options with no faith requirement — a flat membership and a $500 cap per medical event.
We may earn a commission if you enroll through this link — it never affects our rankings.
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) →