Sedera vs Medi-Share: Secular vs Christian Health Sharing for 2026
Sedera and Medi-Share both have strong reputations, but the gap between them starts with a single question: are you a practicing Christian? Medi-Share (4.5/5, founded 1993) requires a Christian statement of faith and is the largest health sharing ministry in the country — 350,000+ members, PHCS and First Health PPO network, telehealth, partial prescription sharing, no annual or lifetime cap, individual cost $115–$470/month. Sedera (4.5/5, founded 2014, 50,000+ members) is the most-established secular option — no faith requirement, HSA compatible, any doctor, individual cost $153–$742/month (most working-age members pay $153–$438; the 60–64 band runs higher), unlimited cap. Both phase pre-existing conditions in over time, and neither is the pick for an immediate managed condition. If faith is not a factor, Sedera is the natural choice; if you are Christian and want the largest community, Medi-Share is the proven option.
Sedera
50,000+ members | Founded 2014
From $153/mo
Secular users seeking alternative to faith-based ministries
Medi-Share
400,000+ members | Founded 1993
From $115/mo
Christian families, established community with 30+ years history
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Sedera | Medi-Share |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost (Individual) | $153-$742 | $115-$470 |
| Initial Unshareable Amount (IUA) | $500 / $1,000 / $1,500 / $2,500 / $5,000 | $3,000 / $6,000 / $9,000 / $12,000 |
| Coverage Cap | Unlimited | None — no annual or lifetime sharing cap |
| Faith Requirement | None (secular) | Christian (light) |
| Pre-Existing Wait | 12-36 month phase-in | 36 months |
| Network | No network restriction | PHCS + First Health (MultiPlan) |
| Prescriptions | Included | Included |
| Mental Health | Included | Included |
| Maternity | Included | Included |
| Processing Time | 30-45 days | 45-60 days |
Monthly figures show the full individual range across all age bands (18–64) and IUA/deductible tiers. The top of each range reflects the oldest 60–64 band — a typical working-age member (under 60) pays in the lower-to-middle of the range (e.g. Sedera runs roughly $153–$438 for ages 18–59, rising toward $742 at 60–64).
The Bottom Line
Sedera wins for secular members who want HSA compatibility and IUA flexibility; Medi-Share wins for Christians who want the largest, most established community.
Choose Sedera if
You are not a practicing Christian — or simply do not want a faith requirement — and want a well-established secular health sharing plan with flexible IUA tiers from $500 to $5,000 and HSA compatibility. Sedera has 50,000+ members, has operated since 2014, and is popular with self-employed members who want to dial their monthly cost to cash flow. Pre-existing conditions phase in over 12–36 months — not ideal for an immediate need, but the plan is transparent about the timeline.
Choose Medi-Share if
You are a committed Christian who wants the largest health sharing community (350,000+ members since 1993), a structured PHCS and First Health PPO network, telehealth, and partial prescription sharing. Medi-Share has no annual or lifetime cap, a 12-month phased pre-existing wait (25% → 100% over four years), and is the most-reviewed plan in the industry. Note: ongoing maintenance prescriptions are not shared, and in-person outpatient mental health is not covered.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Sedera require a Christian faith?▼
Is Sedera or Medi-Share cheaper?▼
Is Sedera HSA compatible?▼
How do pre-existing conditions compare?▼
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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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