CHM vs Medi-Share: Full Comparison for 2026
Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM) and Medi-Share are the two largest Christian health sharing ministries in America. CHM, founded in 1981, is the older and lower-cost option — individual contributions start at $115/month, it carries no sharing cap, and its pre-existing waiting period is just 6 months. Medi-Share, founded in 1993 with 350,000+ members, costs more ($115-$470/month individual) but folds in telehealth, partial prescription sharing, and partial mental health support that CHM does not include. Both require a Christian statement of faith, though CHM is the stricter of the two. Here is how they actually compare.
CHM (Christian Healthcare Ministries)
2,000,000+ members | Founded 1981
From $115/mo
Strict Christians seeking lowest cost option, most affordable ministry
Medi-Share
400,000+ members | Founded 1993
From $115/mo
Christian families, established community with 30+ years history
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | CHM | Medi-Share |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost (Individual) | $115-$299 | $115-$470 |
| Initial Unshareable Amount (IUA) | $300 / $500 / $1,000 | $3,000 / $6,000 / $9,000 / $12,000 |
| 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 annual or lifetime sharing cap |
| Faith Requirement | Strict Christian | Christian (light) |
| Pre-Existing Wait | 12 months | 36 months |
| Network | No network restriction | PHCS + First Health (MultiPlan) |
| Prescriptions | Not included | Included |
| Mental Health | Not included | Included |
| Maternity | Included | Included |
| Processing Time | 30-45 days | 45-60 days |
The Bottom Line
CHM is cheaper with a shorter pre-existing wait; Medi-Share offers broader everyday benefits and a much larger community.
Choose CHM if
You want the lowest possible monthly cost ($115/month individual), the shortest pre-existing waiting period (6 months), and the longest track record (since 1981). You are a committed Christian comfortable with a stricter statement of faith and church-attendance expectation, and you do not need built-in prescription, telehealth, or mental health coverage.
Choose Medi-Share if
You want broader everyday benefits — telehealth, partial prescription sharing, and partial mental health support — plus the largest Christian sharing community (350,000+ members) and a lighter faith requirement. You are willing to pay more ($115+/month) and accept a 12-month pre-existing wait in exchange for the wider coverage and larger pool.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Medi-Share
$115–$470/mo · ★ 4.5
The biggest health sharing ministry — 400,000+ members and Cigna PPO network access.
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