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Health Sharing Plans in Ohio (2026)
Health sharing is fully legal in Ohio with no state mandate and no penalty. 8 plans are currently vetted and available in OH — including CHM, which has been headquartered in Barberton, Ohio since 1981.
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Ohio is one of the most straightforward states for health sharing. No individual mandate, no penalty, and all seven vetted plans available. The ACA benchmark premium in Ohio is $558/month for 2026 (KFF data). With a large manufacturing base, a significant self-employed workforce, and one of the strongest Christian communities in the Midwest, health sharing has deep roots here. CHM — the oldest health sharing ministry in the country — has been headquartered in Barberton, Ohio since 1981.
Is Health Sharing Legal in Ohio?
Health sharing is fully legal in Ohio. The state has no individual mandate — there is no penalty for choosing health sharing instead of ACA-compliant insurance. Ohio also has no state-level restrictions on which health sharing ministries can operate here, so all seven vetted plans are open to Ohio residents.
One important note regardless of state: health sharing plans are not insurance and are not regulated by the Ohio Department of Insurance. Members voluntarily agree to share each other's eligible medical costs — there is no guaranteed payment. Read each ministry's member guidelines carefully before enrolling.
Ohio Is CHM's Home State
Christian Healthcare Ministries was founded in 1981 and has been headquartered in Barberton, Ohio (near Akron) ever since. It is the oldest health sharing ministry in the United States. For Ohio residents — particularly in the Akron, Canton, and Cleveland areas — CHM is not an abstract internet company. It has deep community ties across Ohio's evangelical and conservative Christian congregations.
Ohio has one of the highest concentrations of evangelical Christians in the Midwest. Medi-Share and Samaritan Ministries also have significant member bases here, particularly in rural and suburban communities where church attendance is high and faith-based networks are strong.
- CHM has members across all 88 Ohio counties
- Medi-Share operates a strong member community in central and southwest Ohio
- Samaritan Ministries has active prayer share networks in the Columbus and Cincinnati areas
How Health Sharing Compares to ACA in Ohio
The ACA benchmark (second-lowest-cost Silver plan) in Ohio averages $558/month for an individual in 2026. Ohio is a moderate-cost state — the ACA benchmark is lower than Texas ($661) or Washington ($609), but still far above what health sharing plans charge. If your income is above 400% of the federal poverty level (~$62,000 for a single person), you receive no ACA subsidy and pay full price.
| Option | Monthly Cost (Individual) | Regulated? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACA Silver Plan (benchmark) | $558/mo | Yes | Subsidy-eligible, pre-existing conditions |
| Medi-Share / Samaritan (mid-tier) | $199–$365/mo | No | Active Christians, good health |
| Zion / Sedera (secular mid-tier) | $185–$379/mo | No | Non-religious, healthy, any doctor |
| CHM / CrowdHealth (budget) | $115–$200/mo | No | Very healthy, low expected utilization |
The savings math in Ohio is real but less extreme than in states with $650–$800/month ACA benchmarks. A non-subsidy-eligible individual could still save $3,500–$5,000/year by choosing health sharing over full-price ACA.
Ohio's Manufacturing Base and Self-Employed Workforce
Ohio has one of the largest manufacturing sectors of any state — and manufacturing has a high proportion of small business owners, subcontractors, and self-employed tradespeople who do not get employer-sponsored health insurance. This is a core health sharing demographic.
The same pattern holds across agriculture, construction, and the significant number of small business owners across Ohio's mid-size cities — Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dayton, and Akron. Many of these residents earn too much for meaningful ACA subsidies, do not have access to group insurance, and face $558+/month for a plan they rarely use.
Ohio's graduated state income tax (max ~3.5%) means the lost self-employed health insurance deduction costs less here than in higher-tax states. Health sharing contributions are generally not deductible as self-employed health insurance premiums under IRS rules — but the state tax impact of that lost deduction is modest in Ohio compared to states with 6–10% income tax rates.
Health Sharing Plans Available in Ohio
8 plans are currently vetted and accepting new members in OH. 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 Ohio Residents Should Consider
No Mandate — No Penalty
Ohio has no state individual mandate. You can choose health sharing with zero penalty risk. Unlike California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, or Washington, there is nothing to add back to your annual cost comparison beyond the plan itself.
Faith Requirements Matter More Here
Ohio's Christian community is large and well-established. CHM, Medi-Share, and Samaritan all have active Christian lifestyle requirements — and in Ohio, many residents meet them naturally through their church community. If you are an active churchgoer, these plans are worth a close look. If you are not, Zion HealthShare, Sedera, and CrowdHealth are solid secular alternatives, all available in Ohio.
Check ACA Subsidies First
Ohio uses the federal marketplace (healthcare.gov). If your income is below 400% FPL (~$62,000 single), you may qualify for subsidies that bring ACA premiums below health sharing costs. Run the numbers before deciding — health sharing makes the most financial sense for those who earn too much for meaningful subsidies.
Pre-Existing Conditions
All eight plans impose waiting periods for pre-existing conditions — ranging from 12 months symptom-free (CHM) to 24 months for some conditions at other plans. If you have ongoing conditions requiring regular treatment, ACA is likely the better choice. Health sharing works best for generally healthy individuals who want catastrophic protection without paying ACA benchmark prices.
Common Questions — Ohio
Is health sharing legal in Ohio?
Yes, health sharing is fully legal in Ohio with no state restrictions and no individual mandate. Ohio residents can choose health sharing with no penalty risk.
Is CHM really based in Ohio?
Yes. Christian Healthcare Ministries has been headquartered in Barberton, Ohio (near Akron) since it was founded in 1981. It is the oldest and one of the largest health sharing ministries in the United States, with members across all 88 Ohio counties and all 50 states.
Do I have to be Christian to use health sharing in Ohio?
Not necessarily. CHM, Medi-Share, and Samaritan Ministries all require active Christian faith. But Zion HealthShare, Sedera, and CrowdHealth have no faith requirement and are available to any Ohio resident regardless of religious background. All eight plans are available in Ohio.
How much does health sharing save vs ACA in Ohio?
The ACA benchmark in Ohio is $558/month in 2026. Health sharing plans start around $115–$185/month for individuals. If you do not qualify for ACA subsidies, the annual savings can reach $4,000–$5,000. Use our Annual Cost Projector to model your specific scenario.
Can self-employed Ohioans deduct health sharing contributions?
Generally no — health sharing contributions do not qualify as self-employed health insurance premiums under current IRS rules. Ohio's state income tax (graduated, max ~3.5%) means the lost deduction has a modest state tax impact — smaller than in higher-tax states like California or New York, where a lost $6,000 deduction could cost an extra $540–$600 in state taxes alone.
Find the Right Plan for Ohio
Our 2-minute advisor filters by faith requirement, budget, and state availability. Ohio residents have access to all 7 vetted plans — including CHM, which calls Ohio home.
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.
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