Get your personal plan match in 2 minutes
Free, no forms. Matched on your answers — not commissions.
Health Sharing Plans in New York (2026)
Health sharing is legal in New York with no individual mandate penalty. 8 plans are currently vetted and available in NY — though NY's community rating rules change the savings math in ways worth understanding before you decide.
Get your personal plan match in 2 minutes
Free, no forms. Matched on your answers — not commissions.
New York is a more nuanced health sharing market than most states. The ACA benchmark runs about $509/month in 2026 — lower than Florida or Texas, because NY uses pure community rating that spreads costs evenly regardless of age. That changes the savings calculation depending on who you are. Here is what New York residents need to know.
Is Health Sharing Legal in New York?
Health sharing is fully legal in New York. The state has no individual mandate penalty — meaning there is no fine for choosing health sharing over ACA-compliant insurance. New York has no state-level restrictions on health sharing ministries, and Sedera (the secular, employer-focused plan) is available here — NY is not on Sedera's exclusion list.
Health sharing plans are not insurance and are not regulated by the New York Department of Financial Services. Members agree to voluntarily share each other's eligible medical costs — there is no guaranteed payment. Read each ministry's member guidelines before enrolling.
The Community Rating Nuance — Important for NY Residents
New York uses pure community rating: insurers cannot charge more based on age or health status. A 26-year-old and a 60-year-old pay the same ACA premium in New York. This is a meaningful difference from most states, where insurers can charge older applicants up to 3x more.
What this means practically:
- Older New Yorkers (50+): ACA is relatively more competitive here than in other states, because you are not charged the age-based premium increase that would apply elsewhere. Run the numbers carefully — ACA may be the better call for older, unsubsidized NY residents.
- Younger, healthier New Yorkers (20s–40s): You are effectively subsidizing older members in the NY ACA pool through flat community-rated premiums. Health sharing, which does price somewhat by age, can still offer significant savings — typically $200–$400/month for unsubsidized individuals in this group.
- Self-employed freelancers in NYC metro: The high cost of living combined with income levels that often push people above subsidy thresholds makes health sharing a serious consideration, even accounting for the state tax deduction loss.
How Health Sharing Compares to ACA in New York
The ACA benchmark (second-lowest-cost Silver plan) in New York averages $509/month for an individual in 2026. That is lower than Florida ($714) or Texas ($661) — a direct result of community rating compressing the premium pool. But it is still $6,108 per year before you use a dollar of coverage, and if you do not qualify for subsidies, it all comes out of pocket.
| Option | Monthly Cost (Individual) | Regulated? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACA Silver Plan (benchmark) | $509/mo | Yes | Subsidy-eligible, older unsubsidized NYers, pre-existing conditions |
| Health Sharing (mid-tier) | $185–$379/mo | No | Young/healthy, unsubsidized, no mandate penalty risk |
| CHM / CrowdHealth (budget) | $115–$200/mo | No | Very healthy, low utilization expected |
NY savings from health sharing are real but more age-dependent than other states. A healthy 30-year-old saves more here than a 58-year-old would. If you are older and unsubsidized, run a careful comparison before switching.
The Tax Angle: NY's High Income Tax Raises the Stakes
Self-employed people who pay for traditional health insurance can deduct 100% of premiums from their federal taxable income. Health sharing contributions generally do not qualify for this deduction under current IRS rules. In most states, that costs you only the federal tax value of the lost deduction.
New York has a state income tax up to 10.9% — among the highest in the country. If you are self-employed and in the top NY bracket, losing a $6,000 annual deduction costs approximately $654 more in state taxes alone, on top of the federal hit. That narrows the annual savings calculation compared to Texas or Florida. It does not eliminate the case for health sharing, but it is a real number to factor in when you do the math.
Health Sharing Plans Available in New York
8 plans are currently vetted and accepting new members in NY. Pricing shown is the starting individual monthly cost for 2026.
Zion HealthShare
No faith requirement
Zion HealthShare is a modern health sharing ministry founded in 2019, based in St. George, UT, with 75,000+ members. Monthly contributions start at $114 for individuals and $334 for families, with unlimited sharing per need (no annual or lifetime cap) and no faith requirement. No provider network — members can see any doctor. Includes telehealth, prescriptions, maternity, mental health, preventive care, emergency, and surgery. Pre-existing conditions phase in over 4 years: nothing shared year 1; up to $25,000/request in year 2; up to $50,000/request in year 3; up to $125,000 per 12-month period from year 4 onward (permanent cap). Exception: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes are shareable from day one if the member was not hospitalized for them in the prior 12 months.
CrowdHealth
No faith requirement
CrowdHealth is a healthcare crowdfunding platform (NOT health sharing or insurance) founded in 2021, headquartered in Austin, TX, with 17,000+ members. Uses peer-to-peer crowdfunding where members contribute to fund each other's medical bills. Monthly advocacy fee $60 plus variable crowdfunding costs (avg $140/mo for individuals under 55). No coverage caps, no faith requirement, any doctor, month-to-month flexibility.
Medi-Share
Christian faith required
Medi-Share is the largest health sharing ministry with 400,000+ members, founded in 1993 and based in Melbourne, FL. Monthly contributions vary by age and AHP — roughly $115 to $470 for individuals and $390 to $850 for a family of four. AHP (Annual Household Portion) options are $3,000, $6,000, $9,000, or $12,000 — there is no annual or lifetime sharing cap. Requires a Trinitarian statement of faith and active church involvement. Pre-existing conditions are not shared for the first 36 months; after 36 months shared up to $100,000/member/year, and after 60 months up to $500,000/member/year. Uses the PHCS and First Health PPO networks (900,000+ providers). Includes telehealth and TeleBehavioral health, maternity coverage ($125K cap per pregnancy), preventive, emergency, and surgery. Ongoing prescription maintenance drugs are not shared; new acute condition prescriptions covered up to 6 months.
Sedera
No faith requirement
Sedera is a secular health sharing option founded in 2014, headquartered in Austin, TX, with 50,000+ members. Monthly contributions run about $153 to $742 for individuals and $378 to $2,088 for families across ages and IUA tiers (most working-age members pay $153-$438 individual; the 60-64 band runs higher); final cost is quote-based. Unlimited sharing cap, no faith requirement. Covers telehealth, prescriptions, maternity, mental health, preventive, emergency, and surgery with flexible provider choice.
CHM (Christian Healthcare Ministries)
Active Christian required
CHM (Christian Healthcare Ministries) is the most affordable health sharing ministry, founded in 1981, with 300,000+ members based in Barberton, OH. Monthly contributions start at $115 for individuals and $345 for families, with a $125,000 per-illness sharing cap. The optional CHM Plus add-on ($42/unit/month) extends coverage to $1M per illness (Silver/Bronze) or unlimited (Gold). Strict Christian faith requirement including church attendance. Pre-existing conditions are no longer pre-existing after 12 months symptom/treatment-free (cancer requires 5 years cancer-free). Covers maternity, preventive, emergency, and surgery with any doctor — no network.
Samaritan Ministries
Active Christian required
Samaritan Ministries is an established health sharing ministry founded in 1994, based in Lancaster, PA, with 250,000+ members. Monthly costs range from $199-$365 for individuals and $620-$715 for 2-person households (Aug 2025 Classic rates, by age band), with a $250,000 per-need cap (Classic). Requires strict Christian faith and church attendance. Pre-existing conditions share at 50% for the first year; cancer, heart, and hereditary conditions require 5 years symptom-free; type-1 diabetes is permanently excluded.
Knew Health
No faith requirement
Knew Health is a secular medical cost-sharing community founded in 2017, headquartered in Darien, IL, with 30,000+ members. Membership starts around $142/month for individuals, with exact rates set by age, household size, and chosen IUA ($1,000, $2,500, or $5,000). It has no annual or lifetime sharing cap for new eligible needs, and members are never responsible for more than three IUAs in a membership year. No faith requirement. Covers 24/7 telehealth, mental health, maternity (for pregnancies starting 90+ days after joining, with a due date one year or more out; note: maternity beginning Jan 1 2026 requires a $5,000 IUA), preventive/wellness care, emergency, and surgery; prescriptions are shareable for the first 120 days of a new eligible need. Any doctor — no network restriction. Pre-existing conditions are not shared in year 1, limited years 2-4, and from year 4 are shared but permanently capped at $125,000 per 12-month rolling period.
HSA Secure
No faith requirement
HSA Secure is the only health sharing plan designed specifically for HSA compatibility. It is powered by Zion HealthShare — a secular community founded in 2019 with 75,000+ members — and pairs Zion's health sharing with a MEC (minimum essential coverage) preventive insurance policy. This unique structure lets members contribute pre-tax dollars to an HSA while keeping monthly contributions affordable (from $114/month for individuals). The plan covers preventive care, telehealth, prescriptions, maternity (after 6-month wait), emergency, and surgery. There are no network restrictions, no annual or lifetime sharing caps, and no faith requirement. IUA tiers are $1,250, $2,500, or $5,000 (the $1,000 tier was retired January 1, 2026). The main trade-offs: mental health is not directly shareable, and pre-existing conditions follow a phased sharing schedule (nothing shared months 1-12, up to $25,000/yr months 13-24, up to $50,000/yr months 25-35, up to $125,000/yr from month 36).
What New York Residents Should Consider
No Individual Mandate Penalty
New York has no state individual mandate penalty. You can choose health sharing without any fine. NY has guaranteed issue — insurers must accept all applicants — but there is no financial penalty for going without ACA coverage.
Age Matters More Here Than in Most States
Because of community rating, the age-based savings from health sharing are less dramatic in New York than in states where ACA charges older members 3x more. If you are over 50 and unsubsidized, model the numbers carefully — ACA may be closer in cost here than you expect. If you are under 45 and healthy, the savings case remains strong.
NYC Freelancers and Self-Employed
New York City has one of the largest concentrations of freelancers and independent contractors in the country. Many earn above subsidy thresholds — health sharing at $185–$299/month is still a significant savings over $509/month unsubsidized ACA, even accounting for the state tax deduction loss.
Pre-Existing Conditions
Most health sharing plans impose waiting periods for pre-existing conditions. New York's guaranteed issue means you can always enroll in ACA coverage regardless of health status. If you have ongoing conditions requiring regular care, ACA is likely the safer choice here.
Common Questions — New York
Is health sharing legal in New York?
Yes, health sharing is fully legal in New York. There is no individual mandate penalty, and no state restrictions prevent NY residents from joining vetted health sharing ministries. NY is not on Sedera's exclusion list — all major plans are available here.
What is community rating and how does it affect my decision?
New York requires pure community rating: ACA insurers cannot charge more based on age or health. A 60-year-old pays the same premium as a 25-year-old. This makes ACA relatively more competitive for older unsubsidized New Yorkers compared to other states — but younger and healthier NYers are effectively cross-subsidizing older members, which means health sharing can still save them $200–$400/month.
How much can I save vs ACA in New York?
The ACA benchmark premium in New York is approximately $509/month in 2026. Health sharing plans start as low as $115–$185/month. For a young, healthy, unsubsidized individual, the annual savings can reach $3,500–$4,700. The savings narrow for older residents due to community rating, but remain real for most age groups. Use our Annual Cost Projector to model your situation.
Does the self-employed deduction loss hurt more in New York?
Yes, meaningfully so. Health sharing contributions generally do not qualify as self-employed health insurance premiums under IRS rules. New York's top state income tax rate is 10.9% — losing a $6,000 annual deduction costs about $654 in extra NY state taxes alone, on top of the federal deduction loss. Factor this into your annual savings calculation.
Does New York have an individual mandate?
New York has no individual mandate penalty. The state has guaranteed issue rules — meaning ACA insurers must accept all applicants at the same age-adjusted (community-rated) price — but there is no fine for going without ACA coverage. You can choose health sharing without any financial penalty from the state.
Find the Right Plan for New York
Our 2-minute advisor factors in age, faith preference, and budget. For New York residents, community rating makes age a more important input than in most states — the quiz accounts for that.
Our top pick
Zion HealthShare
from $114/mo · ★ 4.8
Our highest-rated plan (4.8/5): no faith requirement, HSA-compatible, broad coverage, and managed conditions shared from day one.
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.