Impact Health Sharing vs Medi-Share: Full Comparison for 2026
Impact Health Sharing and Medi-Share both have a Christian element, but the similarity mostly ends there. Impact (3.8/5, founded 2020, ~19,500 members) has a light "Shared Beliefs & Ethics" statement — essentially a belief in human dignity and helping others — rather than a Christian statement of faith, no church-attendance requirement, and an affordable price range of $73–$400/month individual. It stands out for a Wellness Rewards program that lets members earn up to $150/month toward reducing their annual deductible (PRA), and it has not raised rates in 5+ consecutive years. The catch is a 36-month pre-existing waiting period — one of the longest in the industry — and a $500,000 per-member annual cap (not unlimited). Medi-Share (4.5/5, founded 1993, 350,000+ members) requires a Christian statement of faith, runs $115–$470/month individual, has the PHCS and First Health PPO network, telehealth, and partial prescription sharing, and carries no annual or lifetime cap — with a more forgiving 12-month phased pre-existing wait. For most people, Medi-Share's track record and broader coverage make it the stronger choice; Impact appeals mainly on low cost and no strict Christian requirement.
Impact Health Sharing
~19,500 members | Founded 2020
From $73/mo
Health-conscious individuals seeking affordable, digitally-driven sharing with wellness incentives and no provider network restrictions
Medi-Share
400,000+ members | Founded 1993
From $115/mo
Christian families, established community with 30+ years history
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Impact Health Sharing | Medi-Share |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost (Individual) | $73-$400 | $115-$470 |
| Initial Unshareable Amount (IUA) | $1,000 / $2,500 / $5,000 / $7,500 / $10,000 | $3,000 / $6,000 / $9,000 / $12,000 |
| Coverage Cap | $500,000 per member per year | None — no annual or lifetime sharing cap |
| Faith Requirement | Christian (light) | Christian (light) |
| Pre-Existing Wait | 36 months | 36 months |
| Network | Any doctor | PHCS + First Health (MultiPlan) |
| Prescriptions | Included | Included |
| Mental Health | Included | Included |
| Maternity | Included | Included |
| Processing Time | 15-20 days | 45-60 days |
The Bottom Line
Medi-Share wins on track record, community size, pre-existing terms, and coverage cap; Impact wins on price and not requiring a strict Christian faith.
Choose Impact Health Sharing if
You want an affordable plan ($73–$400/month individual) without a strict Christian statement of faith, have no pre-existing conditions that will be affected by the 36-month waiting period, and want to take advantage of the Wellness Rewards program (up to $150/month toward reducing your deductible). Impact also has not raised rates in 5+ consecutive years and offers a senior-specific program (65+) with no pre-existing limitations. Understand the $500,000 per-member annual cap and verify coverage for your specific situation.
Choose Medi-Share if
You are a committed Christian who wants the largest and most established health sharing community — 350,000+ members since 1993 — with no annual or lifetime sharing cap, the PHCS and First Health PPO network with 900,000+ providers, telehealth, and partial prescription sharing. Medi-Share's 12-month phased pre-existing wait reaches 100% sharing by year four, far sooner than Impact's 36-month flat exclusion. The trade-off is a Christian faith requirement and higher average cost.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Medi-Share
$115–$470/mo · ★ 4.5
The biggest health sharing ministry — 400,000+ members and Cigna PPO network access.
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