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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.
| 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.
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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