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CHM vs Samaritan Ministries: Full Comparison for 2026
Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM) and Samaritan Ministries are two of the oldest faith-based health sharing ministries, and they ask a lot of the same things: a Christian statement of faith and, typically, regular church attendance verified by a pastor. The biggest practical differences are cost and how the money actually moves. CHM, founded in 1981 with 300,000+ members, starts at $115/month for an individual, requires 12 months symptom-free before a condition is no longer considered pre-existing, and processes sharing centrally. Samaritan, founded in 1994 with 250,000+ members, runs the most traditional model in the industry — you send your monthly share directly to another member who has a need, often with a note or prayer — and it starts higher at around $199/month with a 12-month pre-existing wait (50% shared the first year, 100% after). Neither includes telehealth, prescriptions, or mental health in its base program, so if you need those everyday benefits, Medi-Share is the more complete Christian option. Here is how CHM and Samaritan compare.
Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM) and Samaritan Ministries are two of the oldest faith-based health sharing ministries, and they ask a lot of the same things: a Christian statement of faith and, typically, regular church attendance verified by a pastor. The biggest practical differences are cost and how the money actually moves. CHM, founded in 1981 with 300,000+ members, starts at $115/month for an individual, requires 12 months symptom-free before a condition is no longer considered pre-existing, and processes sharing centrally. Samaritan, founded in 1994 with 250,000+ members, runs the most traditional model in the industry — you send your monthly share directly to another member who has a need, often with a note or prayer — and it starts higher at around $199/month with a 12-month pre-existing wait (50% shared the first year, 100% after). Neither includes telehealth, prescriptions, or mental health in its base program, so if you need those everyday benefits, Medi-Share is the more complete Christian option. Here is how CHM and Samaritan compare.
| Factor | CHM | Samaritan Ministries |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost (Individual) | $115-$299 | $199-$365 |
| Initial Unshareable Amount (IUA) | $300 / $500 / $1,000 | $300 / $500 / $1,000 |
| Coverage Cap | $125,000 per illness base; CHM Plus add-on ($42/unit/mo) extends to $1M per illness (Silver/Bronze) or unlimited (Gold). | $250K/need (Classic; more via Save to Share) |
| Faith Requirement | Strict Christian | Strict Christian |
| Pre-Existing Wait | 12 months | 12 months |
| Network | No network restriction | No network |
| Prescriptions | Not included | Not included |
| Mental Health | Not included | Not 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, reaches full pre-existing-condition sharing sooner (12 months vs. Samaritan's ramp to full sharing by month 24), and is the larger and older ministry; Samaritan appeals to members who want the traditional, direct member-to-member sharing model.
Choose CHM if
You want the lowest monthly cost ($115/month individual), the fastest path to full pre-existing-condition sharing (12 months symptom-free, vs. Samaritan's ramp to full sharing by month 24), and the largest, longest-running ministry of the two (300,000+ members since 1981). CHM is the budget pick among the strict, church-attendance ministries.
Choose Samaritan if
You value the traditional, personal model — sending your share directly to a specific member in need each month, often with a note or prayer — and you are comfortable starting around $199/month with a 12-month pre-existing wait. Samaritan attracts members who want sharing to feel like a direct act of faith between people rather than a centralized payment.
Plans you can enroll in
CHM (Christian Healthcare Ministries) or Samaritan Ministries have no enroll link here. If you’re still weighing options, these are comparable plans you can join from this page.
Zion HealthShare
4.8/5from $114/mo · Anyone without faith requirements, best overall value
Medi-Share
4.5/5$115–$470/mo · Christian families, established community with 30+ years history
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CHM or Samaritan cheaper?
CHM is cheaper. Individual contributions start at $115/month with CHM versus roughly $199/month with Samaritan. CHM is consistently one of the lowest-cost health sharing options in the country.
What is the main difference between CHM and Samaritan?
How the money moves. CHM processes sharing centrally — your contribution goes to the ministry, which directs it toward members’ needs. Samaritan uses a direct model: you send your monthly share straight to another member who has a need, usually with a note or prayer. Both require a Christian statement of faith and church attendance.
Which has the shorter pre-existing condition waiting period?
CHM reaches full sharing at 12 months symptom-free; Samaritan shares 50% at 12 months and reaches full sharing at 24 months. If you have a managed pre-existing condition and want sharing to begin sooner, CHM has the edge.
Does either include prescriptions, telehealth, or mental health?
No — neither CHM nor Samaritan includes prescription, telehealth, or mental health coverage in its base program. If those everyday benefits matter to you, Medi-Share is the more complete Christian ministry, and Zion HealthShare covers them too without a faith requirement.
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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