Sharing is Different

Health Sharing has a philosophy very different from today’s insurance.

1. Emphasis on community and shared worldview with fellow members.
2. Generally intended for higher healthcare expenses, as insurance used to be.
3. Supports a lifestyle of choice and best prices. Shopping is known to drive quality and exert downward price pressure on the healthcare market.
4. Designed around individual care choices. (No more insurance protocols.)

Here, I briefly introduce the most popular faith-based and secular health sharing organizations. All qualify for exemption from ACA mandates and typically cost less than insurance premiums.

Learn how states can pass a health sharing state tax deduction 

Faith-Based Sharing

Health sharing began with faith-based organizations from 1981-1995. Of the four listed below, none require affiliation with a particular denomination, however members must affirm church membership and/or regular attendance. This reflects both community principle, and the fact that individual health is statistically linked to regular church attendance.

In addition, expectation of a faithful lifestyle is a practical method of keeping member costs low. In this they were extraordinarily successful through the first Obamacare decade: as insurance premiums steadily rose, health sharing fees at times actually decreased.

Christian Healthcare Ministries (You can join CHM through this link for a 50% welcome credit. I get a similar credit.)
Liberty HealthShare
Medi-share
Samaritan Ministries

Secular Health Sharing

Secular health sharing caught on more recently. Two have been recommended by people I know:

Zion Heath uniquely features a death benefit and bundling with Direct Primary Care.
Sedera projects a libertarian tone and requires members to sign a statement of belief in community.

I suggest that you explore all these organization websites, because they all operate differently. For example, some will negotiate hospital fees for you; others coach you to do so. Each approach and pricing structure is unique. In a break from early practice, several now provide for pre-existing conditions.

Weighing the differences will help you find the best fit for your needs.

Research Checklist

Explore each website and take notes on each organization that interests you.
Items to compare:

• monthly share levels
• annual and signup fees
• personal responsibility amount per year or episode
• annual or episode maximum
• extra options and prices
• prescription options

The trust factor

Both insurance and sharing rely on mutual trust. To verify trustworthiness, consider the tone and reputation of each organization. I don’t recommend social media sites, as the opinions may come from bots. Instead, ask people you know who are current members. Their perspective can help you decide the trust factor.

The trick to true price comparison

Uh-oh. You’ve finished researching, and you have a sinking feeling.

You’ve hit a wall. Insurance pricing is different from sharing membership pricing. Plus, all the prices are going up. Sharing prices have increased. Government subsidies are falling, and insurance premiums are predicted to rise 18% in 2026.

It’s like comparing apples and oranges! With shifting prices and such different structures, how can anyone find out which one is better value?

I created a formula to take the mystery out of comparing prices between insurance and health sharing.

Get the free Formula today and do your own true cost comparison.

** Updated October 31, 2025.