Health sharing

Health sharing, with the fine print first.

Sharing programs can cost less each month than insurance. They are not insurance, they can limit pre-existing conditions for years, and they don’t have to pay any bill. Here is how they work, and every program we track, ranked for your answers without payment data.

Prices dated and sourced
Legal history shown
Ranked without payment data

See the programs Get matched

Parents with a toddler and a baby relaxing on a bed at home.

How it works

A membership, not a policy.

Members pay a monthly amount. When someone has a big bill, the program decides under its own guidelines whether the bill is shared. That is the whole trade-off: a lower price for less certainty.

You pay first

Most programs have an amount you pay on each need (often $500 to $5,000) before sharing starts. It works like a deductible, but per need.

Conditions wait

A condition you already have is usually shared only after one to five years, and some are never shared. Insurance covers them now.

No legal promise

State insurance departments don’t regulate sharing, and no program has to pay a bill. A few have faced regulators and courts; we show that history.

It may suit you if

You are healthy and want a lower monthly cost
You likely won’t qualify for help paying Marketplace premiums
You can cover the amount you pay first on each need

Look at the Marketplace first if

You or someone in your home has a health condition
You are pregnant or planning to be
Your income may qualify you for premium help
You are 65 or older: see Medicare
You live in CA, DC, MA, NJ or RI (state penalty)

More detail: health sharing vs insurance · our health-sharing disclosure

The directory

Every program we track, ranked for you.

Answer as much or as little as you like. The order comes from one published formula: 35% fit to your answers, 20% cost, 20% protection, 15% track record and 10% transparency. Fees are never an input.

Your state

Faith requirement

Monthly budget, one person

Any ongoing health condition?

I’m 65 or older, or I have MedicareClear

Your answers stay in this page’s address only. We don’t save them, and we never pass them to any company.

Your ranked options

14 shown · ranked without payment data · how we rank

#1
ACA Marketplace plan
Listed — no business relationship
Insurance (ACA)
Regulated health insurance. Covers pre-existing conditions, and you may get help paying.
Price
Varies by age, ZIP and income. Subsidies may lower it. (as of 2026-10-15; source)
You pay first
Deductible and a yearly out-of-pocket maximum set by the plan.
Pre-existing conditions
Covered from day one. Insurers cannot deny you or charge more for a condition.
Faith requirement
No faith requirement.
Visit ACA Marketplace plan site(opens in a new tab)
We have no business relationship with this company. This link goes straight to its site with no tracking. How we make money
#2
Samaritan Ministries
Listed — no business relationship
Health care sharing ministryNot insurance
A long-running Christian sharing ministry with a strong complaint record.
Price
From $98/mo (REDEEM Essential); Classic from $210/mo. (as of 2026-08-01; source)
You pay first
Classic $1,000 per need; Basic $2,000 then 90% sharing.
Pre-existing conditions
Eligible after 12 months without symptoms; 5 years for cancer and heart conditions. Type 1 diabetes is not eligible.
Faith requirement
Statement of faith, regular church attendance and pastor verification.
Notice: This health care sharing ministry facilitates the sharing of medical expenses and is not an insurance company, and neither its guidelines nor its plan of operation is an insurance policy. Whether anyone chooses to assist you with your medical bills will be totally voluntary because no other participant will be compelled by law to contribute toward your medical bills. As such, participation in the ministry or a subscription to any of its documents should never be considered to be insurance. Regardless of whether you receive any payment for medical expenses or whether this ministry continues to operate, you are always personally responsible for the payment of your own medical bills. Complaints concerning this health care sharing ministry may be reported to the office of the Texas attorney general.
Texas notice · Tex. Ins. Code 1681.002
Visit Samaritan Ministries site(opens in a new tab)
We have no business relationship with this company. This link goes straight to its site with no tracking. How we make money
Full Samaritan Ministries profile and sources
#3
Christian Healthcare Ministries
Listed — no business relationship
Health care sharing ministryNot insurance
A Christian sharing ministry with low per-unit prices and a $125k per-illness cap.
Price
From $115/mo per unit (Bronze); a family is 2–3 units. (as of 2026-10-15; source)
You pay first
$1,250 (Gold) to $6,000 (Bronze) per incident. $125k per-illness cap without CHM Plus.
Pre-existing conditions
Active conditions not shared; clears after 1 year without symptoms (5 years for cancer).
Faith requirement
Christian statement of beliefs and regular worship.
Notice: This health care sharing ministry facilitates the sharing of medical expenses and is not an insurance company, and neither its guidelines nor its plan of operation is an insurance policy. Whether anyone chooses to assist you with your medical bills will be totally voluntary because no other participant will be compelled by law to contribute toward your medical bills. As such, participation in the ministry or a subscription to any of its documents should never be considered to be insurance. Regardless of whether you receive any payment for medical expenses or whether this ministry continues to operate, you are always personally responsible for the payment of your own medical bills. Complaints concerning this health care sharing ministry may be reported to the office of the Texas attorney general.
Texas notice · Tex. Ins. Code 1681.002
Visit Christian Healthcare Ministries site(opens in a new tab)
We have no business relationship with this company. This link goes straight to its site with no tracking. How we make money
Full Christian Healthcare Ministries profile and sources
#4
Altrua HealthShare
Listed — no business relationship
Sharing ministry (claims HCSM status)Not insurance
A long-running sharing program with published tiers and included office visits.
- Track record: see legal history.
Price
From $136/mo (Ruby) to $356/mo (Diamond), one person. (as of 2026-10-15; source)
You pay first
Member responsibility $500 to $7,500 (unverified).
Pre-existing conditions
2–5 years depending on program (unverified).
Faith requirement
Statement of Standards (biblical ethics); no creed to sign.
Legal history: 2011: An Idaho order against Altrua was reversed by the Idaho Supreme Court. Reversed. Source: Secondary reports (source link pending verification). We show this because it may affect whether your bills are shared.
Notice: This health care sharing ministry facilitates the sharing of medical expenses and is not an insurance company, and neither its guidelines nor its plan of operation is an insurance policy. Whether anyone chooses to assist you with your medical bills will be totally voluntary because no other participant will be compelled by law to contribute toward your medical bills. As such, participation in the ministry or a subscription to any of its documents should never be considered to be insurance. Regardless of whether you receive any payment for medical expenses or whether this ministry continues to operate, you are always personally responsible for the payment of your own medical bills. Complaints concerning this health care sharing ministry may be reported to the office of the Texas attorney general.
Texas notice · Tex. Ins. Code 1681.002
Visit Altrua HealthShare site(opens in a new tab)
We have no business relationship with this company. This link goes straight to its site with no tracking. How we make money
Full Altrua HealthShare profile and sources
#5
Knew Health
Listed — no business relationship
Medical cost sharing (not a ministry)Not insurance
Secular cost sharing with wellness perks. Not insurance.
Price
As low as $178/mo. Family pricing by calculator. (as of 2026-10-15; source)
You pay first
IUA $1,000 / $2,500 / $5,000, up to 3 per year; no annual or lifetime limit.
Pre-existing conditions
Year 1 $0, year 2 $25k, year 3 $50k, year 4+ $125k.
Faith requirement
Secular ethical attestation.
Where
Not open to new members in WA, VT, IL, NY, PA, MD, CA, OR.
Not insurance. Payment of medical bills is not guaranteed. What that means
Visit Knew Health site(opens in a new tab)
We have no business relationship with this company. This link goes straight to its site with no tracking. How we make money
Full Knew Health profile and sources
#6
Presidio Healthcare (FortressPlan)
Listed — no business relationship
Licensed insurance (Texas only)
New licensed insurance in Texas, underwritten by Presidio Healthcare Insurance Company.
Price
Quote only. (as of 2026-10-15; source)
You pay first
$0 deductible; 50% coinsurance up to the out-of-pocket maximum (not published).
Pre-existing conditions
Reported as not covered. Not an ACA Marketplace plan.
Faith requirement
Follows Catholic ethical directives; no faith test to enroll.
Where
Only in TX.
Visit Presidio Healthcare (FortressPlan) site(opens in a new tab)
We have no business relationship with this company. This link goes straight to its site with no tracking. How we make money
Full Presidio Healthcare (FortressPlan) profile and sources
#7
Liberty HealthShare
Listed — no business relationship
Health care sharing ministryNot insurance
A Christian sharing ministry with low entry prices and significant legal history.
- Track record: see legal history.
Price
From $89/mo (Freedom, age 35 and under); Essential $160–$221/mo single. (as of 2026-10-15; source)
You pay first
Annual unshared amount $1k to $12k plus co-share, by program.
Pre-existing conditions
1-year wait; months 13–36 up to $50k; then unrestricted (Essential/Connect).
Faith requirement
Statement of beliefs acknowledging Jesus Christ.
Where
Not open to new members in NM.
Legal history: 2023-02-22: New Mexico issued a cease order and a $2.51M fine against Liberty HealthShare; the 10th Circuit affirmed on 2025-02-27. A Supreme Court petition (No. 25-113) was pending; a federal RICO class action survived dismissal in 2024. Source: 10th Circuit opinion. We show this because it may affect whether your bills are shared.
Notice: This health care sharing ministry facilitates the sharing of medical expenses and is not an insurance company, and neither its guidelines nor its plan of operation is an insurance policy. Whether anyone chooses to assist you with your medical bills will be totally voluntary because no other participant will be compelled by law to contribute toward your medical bills. As such, participation in the ministry or a subscription to any of its documents should never be considered to be insurance. Regardless of whether you receive any payment for medical expenses or whether this ministry continues to operate, you are always personally responsible for the payment of your own medical bills. Complaints concerning this health care sharing ministry may be reported to the office of the Texas attorney general.
Texas notice · Tex. Ins. Code 1681.002
Visit Liberty HealthShare site(opens in a new tab)
We have no business relationship with this company. This link goes straight to its site with no tracking. How we make money
Full Liberty HealthShare profile and sources
#8
Zion HealthShare
Listed — no business relationship
Medical cost sharing (not a ministry)Not insurance
Secular cost sharing with published prices. Not insurance and not a ministry.
- Track record: see legal history.
Price
From $114/mo for one person. Family by quote. (as of 2026-10-15; source)
You pay first
IUA $1,250 / $2,500 / $5,000, up to 3 per rolling 12 months.
Pre-existing conditions
24-month look-back. Year 1 $0, year 2 $25k, year 3 $50k, year 4+ $125k. Controlled hypertension, cholesterol and diabetes are exempt.
Faith requirement
No faith requirement.
Where
Not open to new members in WA.
Legal history: 2023-12-19: Washington’s insurance regulator fined Zion HealthShare $50,000 and ordered it to stop selling unauthorized insurance. Upheld by the Washington Court of Appeals on 2026-02-05. Zion no longer enrolls in Washington. Source: Washington OIC. We show this because it may affect whether your bills are shared.
Not insurance. Payment of medical bills is not guaranteed. What that means
Visit Zion HealthShare site(opens in a new tab)
We have no business relationship with this company. This link goes straight to its site with no tracking. How we make money
Full Zion HealthShare profile and sources
#9
Direct Primary Care (DPC)
Listed — no business relationship
Primary-care membership
A flat monthly fee for primary care. Pair it with a plan that covers big bills.
Price
Typically about $80–$100 per adult per month (varies by clinic). (as of 2026-10-15, unverified; source)
You pay first
n/a — covers primary care only, not hospital bills.
Pre-existing conditions
Primary care for existing conditions is included.
Faith requirement
No faith requirement.
Visit Direct Primary Care (DPC) site(opens in a new tab)
We have no business relationship with this company. This link goes straight to its site with no tracking. How we make money
Full Direct Primary Care (DPC) profile and sources
#10
CrowdHealth
Listed — no business relationship
Crowdfunding (not insurance)Not insurance
A crowdfunding platform for medical bills. Payment is not guaranteed.
- Track record: see legal history.
Price
About $165/mo single under 55 (October 2026 typical: $60 fee plus a monthly "ask"). (as of 2026-10-15; source)
You pay first
$500 per event ($3,000 for pregnancy). Funding is not guaranteed.
Pre-existing conditions
Not fundable in years 1–2; up to $25k per year from year 3.
Faith requirement
No faith requirement.
Legal history: The Maryland Insurance Administration issued a consumer advisory warning about the risks of CrowdHealth. Advisory only; no cease-and-desist or lawsuit found. Source: Maryland Insurance Administration. We show this because it may affect whether your bills are shared.
Not insurance. Payment of medical bills is not guaranteed. What that means
Visit CrowdHealth site(opens in a new tab)
We have no business relationship with this company. This link goes straight to its site with no tracking. How we make money
Full CrowdHealth profile and sources
#11
Solidarity HealthShare
Listed — no business relationship
Catholic sharing ministry (claims HCSM status)Not insurance
A Catholic sharing program with low prices and a serious complaint record.
- Track record: see legal history.
Price
From $72/mo (SHIELD); ONE from $97/mo. Families from $294. (as of 2026-10-15; source)
You pay first
Annual unshared amount $3k–$12k (unverified).
Pre-existing conditions
24-month look-back (60 months for cancer); possible permanent waivers.
Faith requirement
Statement of shared (Catholic) beliefs.
Complaint record: BBB shows "Not Rated" with an alert and 157 complaints in 3 years, and members have reported bills unpaid for 2+ years.
Notice: This health care sharing ministry facilitates the sharing of medical expenses and is not an insurance company, and neither its guidelines nor its plan of operation is an insurance policy. Whether anyone chooses to assist you with your medical bills will be totally voluntary because no other participant will be compelled by law to contribute toward your medical bills. As such, participation in the ministry or a subscription to any of its documents should never be considered to be insurance. Regardless of whether you receive any payment for medical expenses or whether this ministry continues to operate, you are always personally responsible for the payment of your own medical bills. Complaints concerning this health care sharing ministry may be reported to the office of the Texas attorney general.
Texas notice · Tex. Ins. Code 1681.002
Visit Solidarity HealthShare site(opens in a new tab)
We have no business relationship with this company. This link goes straight to its site with no tracking. How we make money
Full Solidarity HealthShare profile and sources
#12
Sedera
Listed — no business relationship
Medical cost sharing (not a ministry)Not insurance
Secular cost sharing with several state actions in its history.
- Track record: see legal history.
Price
From $166/mo single (ages 18–29, $5k IUA). (as of 2026-03-01; source)
You pay first
IUA $500 to $5,000, up to 3 per year.
Pre-existing conditions
36-month look-back: year 1 $0, year 2 $15k, year 3 $30k, then full.
Faith requirement
Secular ethical beliefs.
Where
Not open to new members in WA, VT, PA, NM, CA.
Legal history: 2025-03-14: California’s Attorney General announced a $1.3M settlement over health plans falsely advertised as non-insurance; Sedera is barred from California. Also faced actions in Washington (2022, $50k), Vermont (2019) and Alaska (2019, withdrawn). Source: California Attorney General. We show this because it may affect whether your bills are shared.
Not insurance. Payment of medical bills is not guaranteed. What that means
Visit Sedera site(opens in a new tab)
We have no business relationship with this company. This link goes straight to its site with no tracking. How we make money
Full Sedera profile and sources
#13
Medi-Share
Listed — no business relationship
Health care sharing ministryNot insurance
The largest Christian sharing ministry, with no annual or lifetime limits.
- Track record: see legal history.
Price
Quote only. Medi-Share’s own example: $362/mo at a $12k household portion. (as of 2025-10; source)
You pay first
Annual household portion $3k / $6k / $9k / $12k; no annual or lifetime limits.
Pre-existing conditions
Up to $100k per year after 36 months; $500k per year after 60 months.
Faith requirement
Statement of faith; a church leader may be contacted.
Legal history: 2010: The Kentucky Supreme Court held Medi-Share was insurance under Kentucky law. Later resolved by a Kentucky safe-harbor law. Source: Insurance Journal. We show this because it may affect whether your bills are shared.
Notice: This health care sharing ministry facilitates the sharing of medical expenses and is not an insurance company, and neither its guidelines nor its plan of operation is an insurance policy. Whether anyone chooses to assist you with your medical bills will be totally voluntary because no other participant will be compelled by law to contribute toward your medical bills. As such, participation in the ministry or a subscription to any of its documents should never be considered to be insurance. Regardless of whether you receive any payment for medical expenses or whether this ministry continues to operate, you are always personally responsible for the payment of your own medical bills. Complaints concerning this health care sharing ministry may be reported to the office of the Texas attorney general.
Texas notice · Tex. Ins. Code 1681.002
Visit Medi-Share site(opens in a new tab)
We have no business relationship with this company. This link goes straight to its site with no tracking. How we make money
Full Medi-Share profile and sources
#14
OneShare Health
Listed — no business relationship
Sharing ministry (claims HCSM status)Not insurance
A sharing program from the Aliera/Unity lineage. Read its legal history first.
- Track record: see legal history.
Price
“As low as” $65/mo (OneShare’s own figure). (as of 2026-10-15; source)
You pay first
Not published.
Pre-existing conditions
Not published on the public page.
Faith requirement
Statement of beliefs.
Where
Not open to new members in WA, VT, WI, MD, NM.
Legal history: 2021: Washington’s insurance regulator fined OneShare $150,000 in a consent order for selling illegal insurance; it left Washington. A related class settlement (Duncan v. Aliera) pays part of approved claims. Source: Washington OIC. We show this because it may affect whether your bills are shared.
Notice: This health care sharing ministry facilitates the sharing of medical expenses and is not an insurance company, and neither its guidelines nor its plan of operation is an insurance policy. Whether anyone chooses to assist you with your medical bills will be totally voluntary because no other participant will be compelled by law to contribute toward your medical bills. As such, participation in the ministry or a subscription to any of its documents should never be considered to be insurance. Regardless of whether you receive any payment for medical expenses or whether this ministry continues to operate, you are always personally responsible for the payment of your own medical bills. Complaints concerning this health care sharing ministry may be reported to the office of the Texas attorney general.
Texas notice · Tex. Ins. Code 1681.002
Visit OneShare Health site(opens in a new tab)
We have no business relationship with this company. This link goes straight to its site with no tracking. How we make money
Full OneShare Health profile and sources

Our founder’s pick (not part of the ranking above)

A doctor holds a video visit with a patient on a laptop. — Photo shows a model, not an MPB Health member.

MPB Health

Founder-affiliated · We may earn a referral feeNot insurance

Why our founder picks it: every individual MPB membership includes $0 virtual urgent, primary and behavioral care, there is an HSA-compatible option, and MPB publishes its starting prices.

Essentialsfrom $50/moVirtual care and discounts. No medical cost sharing.
Care+from $166/moCost sharing after your member responsibility amount, plus virtual care.
Directfrom $201/moAdds preventive sharing.
MPB Flowfrom $179/moSharing with no network.
MPB Flow + HSAfrom $248/moHSA-compatible option.

MPB’s published starting prices for one person, checked 2026-10-15 (source). Prices vary by age, household and member responsibility amount.

Health care sharing programs are not insurance. They are not regulated by state insurance departments, do not have to pay any medical bill, are not subject to ACA protections (essential health benefits, pre-existing condition coverage, annual and lifetime limit rules), and members do not get ACA premium tax credits for them. Members remain responsible for their own bills.

California, DC, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Rhode Island have their own coverage requirement, and you may owe a state tax penalty without qualifying coverage. Only health care sharing ministries operating since 1999 can qualify for an exemption; medical cost-sharing programs do not.

See MPB Health plans How we make money

Compare with the ranked options above before you decide.

The same options, side by side.

How the options differ (facts as of each company’s published terms)
Company	Type	Faith test	Price from (one person)	You pay first	Pre-existing	Where
ACA Marketplace planListed — no business relationship	Insurance (ACA)	No	Quote / variesas of 2026-10-15	Deductible and a yearly out-of-pocket maximum set by the plan.	Covered from day one. Insurers cannot deny you or charge more for a condition.	All states
Samaritan MinistriesListed — no business relationship	Health care sharing ministry	Statement of faith, regular church attendance and pastor verification.	$98/moas of 2026-08-01	Classic $1,000 per need; Basic $2,000 then 90% sharing.	Eligible after 12 months without symptoms; 5 years for cancer and heart conditions. Type 1 diabetes is not eligible.	All states
Christian Healthcare MinistriesListed — no business relationship	Health care sharing ministry	Christian statement of beliefs and regular worship.	$115/moas of 2026-10-15	$1,250 (Gold) to $6,000 (Bronze) per incident. $125k per-illness cap without CHM Plus.	Active conditions not shared; clears after 1 year without symptoms (5 years for cancer).	All states
Altrua HealthShareListed — no business relationshipSee legal history	Sharing ministry (claims HCSM status)	Statement of Standards (biblical ethics); no creed to sign.	$136/moas of 2026-10-15	Member responsibility $500 to $7,500 (unverified).	2–5 years depending on program (unverified).	All states
Knew HealthListed — no business relationship	Medical cost sharing (not a ministry)	Secular ethical attestation.	$178/moas of 2026-10-15	IUA $1,000 / $2,500 / $5,000, up to 3 per year; no annual or lifetime limit.	Year 1 $0, year 2 $25k, year 3 $50k, year 4+ $125k.	Not in WA, VT, IL, NY, PA, MD, CA, OR
Presidio Healthcare (FortressPlan)Listed — no business relationship	Licensed insurance (Texas only)	No	Quote / variesas of 2026-10-15	$0 deductible; 50% coinsurance up to the out-of-pocket maximum (not published).	Reported as not covered. Not an ACA Marketplace plan.	Only TX
Liberty HealthShareListed — no business relationshipSee legal history	Health care sharing ministry	Statement of beliefs acknowledging Jesus Christ.	$89/moas of 2026-10-15	Annual unshared amount $1k to $12k plus co-share, by program.	1-year wait; months 13–36 up to $50k; then unrestricted (Essential/Connect).	Not in NM
Zion HealthShareListed — no business relationshipSee legal history	Medical cost sharing (not a ministry)	No	$114/moas of 2026-10-15	IUA $1,250 / $2,500 / $5,000, up to 3 per rolling 12 months.	24-month look-back. Year 1 $0, year 2 $25k, year 3 $50k, year 4+ $125k. Controlled hypertension, cholesterol and diabetes are exempt.	Not in WA
Direct Primary Care (DPC)Listed — no business relationship	Primary-care membership	No	$90/moas of 2026-10-15	n/a — covers primary care only, not hospital bills.	Primary care for existing conditions is included.	All states
CrowdHealthListed — no business relationshipSee legal history	Crowdfunding (not insurance)	No	$165/moas of 2026-10-15	$500 per event ($3,000 for pregnancy). Funding is not guaranteed.	Not fundable in years 1–2; up to $25k per year from year 3.	All states
Solidarity HealthShareListed — no business relationshipSee legal history	Catholic sharing ministry (claims HCSM status)	Statement of shared (Catholic) beliefs.	$72/moas of 2026-10-15	Annual unshared amount $3k–$12k (unverified).	24-month look-back (60 months for cancer); possible permanent waivers.	All states
SederaListed — no business relationshipSee legal history	Medical cost sharing (not a ministry)	Secular ethical beliefs.	$166/moas of 2026-03-01	IUA $500 to $5,000, up to 3 per year.	36-month look-back: year 1 $0, year 2 $15k, year 3 $30k, then full.	Not in WA, VT, PA, NM, CA
Medi-ShareListed — no business relationshipSee legal history	Health care sharing ministry	Statement of faith; a church leader may be contacted.	Quote / variesas of 2025-10	Annual household portion $3k / $6k / $9k / $12k; no annual or lifetime limits.	Up to $100k per year after 36 months; $500k per year after 60 months.	All states
OneShare HealthListed — no business relationshipSee legal history	Sharing ministry (claims HCSM status)	Statement of beliefs.	$65/moas of 2026-10-15	Not published.	Not published on the public page.	Not in WA, VT, WI, MD, NM

Know the labels

Five kinds of company, one word: sharing.

Companies use similar names for very different things. The kind tells you what rules apply.

Health care sharing ministry (HCSM): A faith-based nonprofit that has shared medical bills continuously since before 2000. Only these can qualify for the state-mandate exemption. Members agree to a statement of faith or standards.
Medical cost sharing: The same idea without the ministry status, often with no faith test. These programs do not qualify for mandate exemptions, and regulators have treated some as unlicensed insurance.
Crowdfunding: Members fund each other’s large bills through an app. Funding is not guaranteed and pre-existing conditions are not fundable at first.
Membership services: A company that bundles virtual care and perks with access to someone else’s sharing program. Read whose guidelines govern the sharing.
Direct primary care: A flat monthly fee to a primary-care practice. It is not catastrophic protection; pair it with a plan that covers hospital bills.

Questions

Good questions, short answers.

Is health sharing the same as health insurance?

No. Health care sharing programs are not insurance. They are not regulated by state insurance departments, do not have to pay any medical bill, are not subject to ACA protections (essential health benefits, pre-existing condition coverage, annual and lifetime limit rules), and members do not get ACA premium tax credits for them. Members remain responsible for their own bills.

Can a health-sharing program refuse to pay a bill?

Yes. Programs share bills under their own guidelines, and none of them is legally required to pay a given bill. Read the guidelines for limits, waiting periods and services that are never shared before you join.

Do health-sharing programs cover pre-existing conditions?

Usually only after a wait. Many programs share little or nothing for a condition in the first year and phase in over two to five years. For example, Zion HealthShare shares $0 in year one and up to $125,000 per year from year four, and Medi-Share shares up to $100,000 a year after 36 months. ACA Marketplace plans cover pre-existing conditions from day one.

Source: Each program’s published guidelines, checked 2026-10-15

Will I owe a state tax penalty if I join a sharing program?

How do you rank the programs, and does anyone pay you?

Our formula uses only the answers you give and our dated facts: 35% fit to your answers, 20% expected cost, 20% protection strength, 15% track record and 10% transparency. Fees are never an input. Today we have no signed referral agreement with any company on this page, so every card is labelled Listed. Our founder is the Chief Technology Officer of MPB Health, so MPB is left out of the ranking and shown separately, with that disclosure. MPB Health is not insurance; its cost sharing is administered through Zion HealthShare (see the disclosure next to it).

When can I join?

Sharing programs take new members all year. ACA Marketplace open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs Nov 1, 2026 to Jan 15, 2027 on HealthCare.gov; enroll by Dec 15, 2026 for coverage that starts January 1. Some state exchanges set other dates.

Source: HealthCare.gov: dates and deadlines

I’m 65 or older. Should I look at health sharing?

No. Medicare is your coverage path, and we don’t show health-sharing programs or referral links to Medicare visitors. Our Medicare guide is at olyronmedicare.com.

From the OLYRON family

Coverage is the start. Feeling well is the point.

OLYRON Labs and OwnBite are owned by the same company as this site. We promote them here; we are not paid per signup. OLYRON Labs is educational and does not diagnose.

Smiling father carrying two young children in a backyard.

Still deciding

Not sure sharing is right? Ask before you join.

A licensed advisor can price a Marketplace plan with any help you qualify for, so you can compare it with a sharing program honestly.

Get matched Sharing vs insurance

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