CHM vs Medi-Share: Full Comparison for 2026
Best fit if you want to enroll from this page
Medi-Share
Monthly share varies · ★ 4.5
Of the two plans here, Medi-Share asks for a statement of faith instead of church-attendance verification and includes telehealth.
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 caps sharing at $125,000 per illness unless you add CHM Plus, and a pre-existing condition is no longer considered pre-existing after 12 months symptom-free. Medi-Share, founded in 1993 with nearly 350,000 members, does not publish a universal rate card (monthly share varies by AHP, age, state, and household size), 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 caps sharing at $125,000 per illness unless you add CHM Plus, and a pre-existing condition is no longer considered pre-existing after 12 months symptom-free. Medi-Share, founded in 1993 with nearly 350,000 members, does not publish a universal rate card (monthly share varies by AHP, age, state, and household size), 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
Monthly share varies · ★ 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 | Quote-based (no published rate card) |
| 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). | 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 | Strict Christian | Christian (light) |
| Pre-Existing Wait | 12 months | 36 months |
| Network | No network restriction | First Health |
| Prescriptions | Not included | Partial |
| Mental Health | Not included | Partial |
| 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 (nearly 350,000 members) and a lighter faith requirement. You are willing to request a Medi-Share quote and accept a 36-month pre-existing wait in exchange for the wider coverage and larger pool.
Plans you can enroll in from this page
Medi-Share is a Christian membership without church-attendance verification. Zion HealthShare asks for no statement of faith. Each card shows the price and best fit from our plan data.
Medi-Share
4.5/5Monthly share varies · Christian families, established community with 30+ years history
Zion HealthShare
4.8/5from $114/mo · Anyone without faith requirements, best overall value
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
4.5/5Monthly share varies · 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
Looking for a better fit?
Two quick next steps if this plan isn't your match
CHM and Medi-Share are both Christian plans with a statement of faith. If neither one's faith rules, monthly cost, or sharing limits feel right for your household, start with one of these.
1. Get matched in about two minutes. The free Advisor compares your household, budget, and faith preference against every plan we track. No email is needed to see results.
Take the free Advisor →2. Want a plan you can join today? Zion HealthShare has no faith requirement, no network (see any doctor), and shares bills for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes from day one when the condition is managed and you were not recently hospitalized for it.
As an alternative, Medi-Share remains an option if you want a Christian plan with telehealth and maternity sharing. Read the Medi-Share review.
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 CHM or Medi-Share cheaper?
CHM is typically cheaper. CHM starts at $115/month for an individual and tops out at $299/month. Medi-Share does not publish a universal rate card — monthly share varies by Annual Household Portion, age, state, and household size. 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.
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) →