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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 — 400,000+ 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. Prices may vary depending on membership elections. Please see Membership Guidelines for full sharing rules. The Sedera Membership may not be available in all states.
| Factor | 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 |
Verified July 2026 from official plan materials and each plan's official website.
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. An Existing Medical Condition phases 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 (400,000+ 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 36-month pre-existing wait (capped sharing begins after 3 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Sedera require a Christian faith?
No. Sedera is fully secular — no statement of faith and no church attendance required. Medi-Share requires a Christian statement of faith, so if you are not a practicing Christian, Sedera is the only option between these two.
Is Sedera or Medi-Share cheaper?
It depends on age and the IUA you choose. Medi-Share starts slightly lower — around $115/month individual versus $153/month for Sedera. But Sedera's cost can be kept lower for younger members by selecting a higher IUA tier, while Medi-Share's AHP options start at $3,000. For most working-age individuals (18–59), Sedera's range of $153–$438 and Medi-Share's range of $115–$470 overlap substantially.
Is Sedera HSA compatible?
Yes. Sedera is HSA compatible, meaning you can pair it with a Health Savings Account and use pre-tax dollars for member responsibility costs. Medi-Share is not HSA compatible.
How do pre-existing conditions compare?
Sedera phases in sharing for Existing Medical Conditions over a long runway — nothing shared the first 12 months, graduated annual caps through month 36, fully shareable after 36 months (36-month look-back applies). Medi-Share does not share pre-existing conditions for the first 36 months, then shares up to $100,000/member/year after 3 years and up to $500,000/member/year after 5 years — a comparable timeline, though Medi-Share's cap remains in place indefinitely rather than becoming fully open-ended. If you need a common managed condition covered quickly, consider Zion HealthShare (day-one for blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes) instead.
Which has more members?
Medi-Share has 400,000+ members — the largest health sharing ministry in the US by a wide margin. Sedera has 50,000+ members. Medi-Share has the deeper community pool; Sedera is the more established secular option.
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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