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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 a pre-existing condition is no longer considered pre-existing after 12 months symptom-free. Medi-Share, founded in 1993 with 400,000+ members, costs more ($115-$470/month individual), does not share pre-existing conditions for the first 36 months, 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.
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 a pre-existing condition is no longer considered pre-existing after 12 months symptom-free. Medi-Share, founded in 1993 with 400,000+ members, costs more ($115-$470/month individual), does not share pre-existing conditions for the first 36 months, 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.
Editor’s pick
Medi-Share
$115–$470/mo · ★ 4.5
Medi-Share is the plan you can enroll in from this comparison — telehealth, partial Rx, and the larger Christian community. CHM is review-only below.
| Factor | 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 |
Verified July 2026 from official plan materials and each plan's official website.
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), a fast path to full pre-existing-condition sharing (12 months symptom-free), 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 (400,000+ 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.
Ready to enroll?
Enroll goes to the plan’s own page when we have a link. Other plans stay review-only — join on their sites.
Medi-Share
4.5/5$115–$470/mo · Christian families, established community with 30+ years history
CHM (Christian Healthcare Ministries)
4.4/5from $115/mo · Strict Christians seeking lowest cost option, most affordable ministry
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CHM or Medi-Share cheaper?
CHM is typically cheaper. Both start at $115/month for an individual, but Medi-Share runs higher across its range ($115-$470/month) while CHM tops out lower ($115-$299/month). CHM is consistently one of the lowest-cost health sharing options in the country.
Do both CHM and Medi-Share require a Christian faith?
Yes. Both require a Christian statement of faith. CHM is stricter — it expects regular church attendance verified by a pastor or witness. Medi-Share uses a lighter statement of faith without the same church-attendance verification.
Which has the shorter pre-existing condition waiting period?
CHM, at 12 months symptom-free, versus 36 months for Medi-Share. If you have a managed pre-existing condition and want sharing to begin sooner, CHM has the edge.
Does either include prescriptions or telehealth?
Medi-Share includes telehealth plus partial prescription and mental health sharing. CHM does not include prescription, telehealth, or mental health coverage in its base program. If those everyday benefits matter to you, Medi-Share is the more complete plan.
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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