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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.
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.
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Editor’s pick
CrowdHealth
from $60/mo · ★ 4.6
CrowdHealth is the plan on this page we can help you enroll in. The other plan has no referral program with us, so it stays review-only.
| 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.
Ready to enroll?
Enroll goes to the plan’s own page when we have a referral link. Plans with no referral program stay review-only — we earn nothing from them.
CrowdHealth
4.6/5from $60/mo · Young families; healthy individuals; self-employed; anyone wanting low costs with no coverage caps
CHM (Christian Healthcare Ministries)
4.4/5from $115/mo · Strict Christians seeking lowest cost option, most affordable ministry
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.
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