Samaritan vs CHM
Samaritan Ministries and Christian Healthcare Ministries solve the same problem in different ways. Samaritan Ministries is a Christian health care sharing ministry with a distinctive direct-sharing model: members are frequently assigned to send their monthly share straight to another member with an eligible need, along with notes of encouragement. It requires a statement of faith. Like all sharing, it is not insurance, does not guarantee payment, and limits pre-existing conditions — but its community ethos is a defining feature for members. By contrast, A Christian health care sharing ministry where members share eligible medical bills according to published guidelines. Monthly shares are typically lower than unsubsidized insurance, but payment is not guaranteed and pre-existing conditions are limited. Not insurance and not ACA major medical. Below we compare them on cost, coverage, eligibility, and who each one fits best — with sources you can check.
| Factor | Samaritan | CHM |
|---|---|---|
| Typical monthly cost | Approx. $150-$530/mo by household (a share, not a premium) | Approx. $100-$500/mo depending on program and household |
| Relative cost | $·· | $·· |
| Category | Health sharing organization | Health sharing organization |
| Is it insurance? | No — a membership | No — a membership |
| ACA-compliant major medical | No | No |
| Covers pre-existing conditions | Limited | Limited |
| Eligibility | Requires a statement of Christian faith and lifestyle agreement. | Open to members who meet faith and lifestyle guidelines. |
| Best for | Practicing Christian households; Members who value direct community | Faith-aligned healthy members; People comparing sharing alternatives |
Samaritan
Samaritan Ministries is a Christian health care sharing ministry with a distinctive direct-sharing model: members are frequently assigned to send their monthly share straight to another member with an eligible need, along with notes of encouragement. It requires a statement of faith. Like all sharing, it is not insurance, does not guarantee payment, and limits pre-existing conditions — but its community ethos is a defining feature for members.
Pros
- Strong community model
- Nationwide, no network
- Lower cost for the healthy
Cons
- Not insurance
- Faith requirement
- Direct-send process is hands-on
- Pre-existing limits
CHM
A Christian health care sharing ministry where members share eligible medical bills according to published guidelines. Monthly shares are typically lower than unsubsidized insurance, but payment is not guaranteed and pre-existing conditions are limited. Not insurance and not ACA major medical.
Pros
- Lower monthly share than many unsubsidized plans
- Faith community model
- Nationwide providers in many cases
Cons
- Not insurance
- Pre-existing limits
- No ACA essential-benefit guarantee
Next step
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Frequently asked questions
- Is Samaritan or CHM cheaper?
- Samaritan and CHM sit in a similar monthly cost range (approx. $150-$530/mo by household (a share, not a premium) vs approx. $100-$500/mo depending on program and household). The better value depends on your health and whether you qualify for a subsidy.
- What is the main difference between Samaritan and CHM?
- A Christian sharing ministry where members often send shares directly to one another. Faith-based medical cost sharing with program tiers. Not insurance.
- Is Samaritan real insurance?
- No. Samaritan is not insurance — it does not guarantee payment and typically limits pre-existing conditions. If you need the legal protections and guaranteed benefits of insurance, an ACA-compliant plan is the safer choice.
Sources
- KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation) — health policy research · reviewed 2026-01-15
- OLYRON HealthMatch editorial methodology — how we source and rate options · reviewed 2026-01-15