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, carries a 6-month pre-existing waiting period, 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. 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.
CHM (Christian Healthcare Ministries)
2,000,000+ members | Founded 1981
From $115/mo
Strict Christians seeking lowest cost option, most affordable ministry
Samaritan Ministries
250,000+ members | Founded 1994
From $199/mo
Committed Christian members seeking traditional health sharing
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | 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; Save to Share above) |
| 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 |
The Bottom Line
CHM is cheaper, has a shorter pre-existing wait, 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 shortest pre-existing waiting period (6 months), 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.
Read the Full Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CHM or Samaritan cheaper?▼
What is the main difference between CHM and Samaritan?▼
Which has the shorter pre-existing condition waiting period?▼
Does either include prescriptions, telehealth, or mental health?▼
Can't decide between them?
The 2-minute advisor breaks the tie for your situation — matched on your age, health, budget, and coverage needs. Free, no forms.
Break the Tie (2 min) →Direct member sharing
Samaritan Ministries
from $199/mo · ★ 4.4
An established Christian ministry where members share medical costs directly with one another.
We may earn a commission if you enroll through this link — it never affects our rankings.
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.