Samaritan vs Netwell
Samaritan Ministries and Netwell 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, Netwell markets membership-based medical cost sharing with digital member support. Like other sharing options, it is not insurance, does not guarantee payment, and should be read carefully for caps and pre-existing condition rules. Below we compare them on cost, coverage, eligibility, and who each one fits best — with sources you can check.
| Factor | Samaritan | Netwell |
|---|---|---|
| Typical monthly cost | Approx. $150-$530/mo by household (a share, not a premium) | Approx. $200-$500/mo depending on program |
| 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. | Subject to membership guidelines. |
| Best for | Practicing Christian households; Members who value direct community | Healthy members seeking lower monthly shares |
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
Netwell
Netwell markets membership-based medical cost sharing with digital member support. Like other sharing options, it is not insurance, does not guarantee payment, and should be read carefully for caps and pre-existing condition rules.
Pros
- Membership extras
- Potentially lower monthly cost
Cons
- Not insurance
- Sharing limits
- Not subsidy-eligible
Next step
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Frequently asked questions
- Is Samaritan or Netwell cheaper?
- Samaritan and Netwell sit in a similar monthly cost range (approx. $150-$530/mo by household (a share, not a premium) vs approx. $200-$500/mo depending on program). The better value depends on your health and whether you qualify for a subsidy.
- What is the main difference between Samaritan and Netwell?
- A Christian sharing ministry where members often send shares directly to one another. Membership medical cost sharing with member support tools. 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