As health insurance premiums continue to rise, many Floridians are exploring alternatives. Health sharing plans (also called health sharing ministries or healthcare sharing ministries) have grown dramatically in popularity, with an estimated 1.5 million Americans now participating. But health sharing is fundamentally different from health insurance, and understanding those differences is essential before you sign up.
This guide provides an honest, side-by-side comparison of health sharing plans and traditional health insurance, reviews the major programs, and helps you determine whether health sharing is right for your situation.
What Is a Health Sharing Plan?
A health sharing plan is a voluntary arrangement where members agree to share each other's medical costs. Typically organized around a faith-based community, these programs collect monthly "shares" (similar to premiums) from members and distribute the funds to members with eligible medical expenses.
The critical distinction: health sharing plans are not insurance. They are not regulated by state insurance departments, are not required to pay claims, and do not guarantee coverage. Members share costs voluntarily based on the organization's guidelines.
Health Sharing vs. Health Insurance: Complete Comparison
| Feature | Health Sharing Plan | ACA Health Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Legal status | Not insurance; not regulated | Regulated by state and federal law |
| Guarantee of payment | No legal guarantee | Contractual obligation to pay covered claims |
| Monthly cost | $150 - $500/person | $345 - $1,465/person (before subsidies) |
| Pre-existing conditions | Waiting periods (1-3 years) or exclusions | Covered from day one |
| Maternity | Varies; often 12-month wait or excluded for unmarried | Covered as essential health benefit |
| Mental health | Limited or excluded | Covered as essential health benefit |
| Prescription drugs | Limited sharing; varies by program | Covered; formulary varies by plan |
| Preventive care | Varies; may not cover all screenings | Free preventive care (no cost sharing) |
| Provider network | Any provider (no network) | In-network providers; out-of-network costs more |
| Annual/lifetime caps | Yes (typically $250K - $1M per incident) | No annual or lifetime caps |
| Subsidies available | No | Yes (ACA premium tax credits) |
| Can be denied enrollment | Yes (health/lifestyle requirements) | No (guaranteed issue) |
| State oversight | Minimal to none | Full state insurance regulation |
Major Health Sharing Programs Reviewed
Medi-Share
Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida. Medi-Share is one of the largest health sharing ministries with over 400,000 members. It operates through a digital platform and has a more "insurance-like" experience than some competitors.
- Monthly share: $180 - $550 per person depending on age and Annual Household Portion (AHP)
- Annual Household Portion (deductible equivalent): $1,500 - $10,500
- Sharing limit: Up to $1 million per incident
- Pre-existing conditions: Phase-in over 36 months
- Requirements: Statement of faith, no tobacco use, healthy lifestyle commitment
- Strengths: User-friendly platform, PHCS provider network for discounted rates, Florida-based organization
- Weaknesses: Pre-existing condition limitations, lifestyle requirements, per-incident caps
Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM)
One of the oldest and most established health sharing programs, CHM offers three tiers of sharing.
- Monthly share: $90 (Bronze) to $175 (Gold) per person
- Personal responsibility (deductible equivalent): $500 (Gold) to $5,000 (Bronze)
- Sharing limit: $125,000 per incident (Gold); unlimited with Brother's Keeper add-on
- Pre-existing conditions: Not shared for the first 36 months (Gold program can share after conditions are controlled)
- Requirements: Statement of faith; attend church regularly
- Strengths: Very affordable monthly shares, long track record, Brother's Keeper catastrophic add-on
- Weaknesses: Lower sharing limits without add-ons, stricter lifestyle requirements
Samaritan Ministries
Samaritan uses a direct-sharing model where members send their monthly share directly to another member with medical needs.
- Monthly share: $270 - $590 per household
- Personal responsibility: $300 per need
- Sharing limit: $250,000 per need (more with Save to Share add-on)
- Pre-existing conditions: 12-month waiting period for conditions in prior 12 months
- Requirements: Regular church attendance, pastoral verification, statement of faith
- Strengths: Low personal responsibility amount, community-oriented model
- Weaknesses: Lower sharing caps, more administrative burden (direct sharing)
Zion Health (Secular Option)
For those who want a health sharing option without religious requirements, Zion Health is one of the newer secular alternatives.
- Monthly share: $199 - $499 per person
- Initial Unshareable Amount: $1,000 - $5,000
- Sharing limit: $1 million per incident
- Pre-existing conditions: 24-month phase-in period
- Requirements: No religious requirements; healthy lifestyle encouraged
- Strengths: No faith-based requirement, modern platform, competitive pricing
- Weaknesses: Newer organization (shorter track record), pre-existing condition limitations
The Honest Pros of Health Sharing
1. Lower Monthly Costs
For people who do not qualify for ACA subsidies, health sharing plans can be 30-50% cheaper than unsubsidized Marketplace plans. A 55-year-old paying $880/month for Silver insurance might pay $350/month with Medi-Share.
2. No Network Restrictions
Most health sharing plans let you see any doctor or go to any hospital. There is no "in-network" or "out-of-network" distinction. Many programs negotiate discounted rates through provider networks like PHCS, but the choice is yours.
3. Simpler Plan Structures
Health sharing guidelines tend to be more straightforward than insurance policies. You pay your Annual Household Portion (like a deductible), and eligible expenses above that are shared by the community.
4. Values Alignment
For faith-based members, health sharing aligns with beliefs about community support and mutual aid. Many members value the spiritual community aspect of these programs.
5. Year-Round Enrollment
Unlike ACA plans that require Open Enrollment or a qualifying life event, health sharing plans accept new members year-round. There is no enrollment window.
The Honest Cons of Health Sharing
1. No Legal Guarantee of Payment
This is the biggest risk. Health sharing plans explicitly state they are not insurance and are not obligated to pay your medical bills. While most reputable programs have strong track records of sharing, there is no legal enforcement mechanism. If the organization fails or declines to share your bills, you have limited recourse.
2. Pre-Existing Condition Limitations
If you have diabetes, heart disease, cancer history, or other pre-existing conditions, health sharing plans will not share those costs for 1-3 years, if ever. This is a dealbreaker for anyone with ongoing medical conditions.
3. Coverage Gaps
Health sharing plans typically do not cover:
- Mental health services (or cover them very limitedly)
- Substance abuse treatment
- Preventive care and wellness visits (varies by program)
- Maternity for unmarried members
- Services related to lifestyle choices the program disagrees with
4. Annual and Per-Incident Caps
ACA health insurance has no lifetime or annual caps. Health sharing plans typically cap sharing at $250,000 to $1 million per incident. A serious illness or accident can easily exceed these limits, leaving you responsible for costs above the cap.
5. No Consumer Protection
State insurance departments do not regulate health sharing ministries. You cannot file a complaint with the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation if your bills are not shared. There is no independent appeals process mandated by law.
6. Lifestyle and Faith Requirements
Most health sharing programs require a statement of faith, regular church attendance, no tobacco use, limited alcohol consumption, and adherence to the organization's moral guidelines. Violating these requirements can result in loss of membership or declined sharing.
Who Health Sharing Works For
Health sharing plans can be a reasonable option for people who meet all of the following criteria:
- Generally healthy with no significant pre-existing conditions
- Do not qualify for ACA subsidies (or subsidies are minimal due to the subsidy cliff)
- Comfortable with the risk that bills may not be shared
- Align with the organization's values (or choose a secular option)
- Do not need regular mental health services, substance abuse treatment, or maternity coverage
- Have emergency savings to cover bills if sharing is denied
Who Should Avoid Health Sharing
- Anyone with pre-existing conditions: ACA insurance covers you from day one. Health sharing does not.
- People who qualify for ACA subsidies: A subsidized Marketplace plan often costs the same or less than health sharing while providing stronger protections. Check our Florida insurance cost guide.
- Those needing mental health care: ACA plans are required to cover mental health as an essential benefit.
- Pregnant or planning pregnancy: ACA plans cover maternity as an essential benefit with no waiting period.
- Risk-averse individuals: If you need the peace of mind of a legally enforceable contract, health sharing is not the right fit.
Cost Comparison: Health Sharing vs. Insurance in Florida
Here is how the costs compare for a healthy 50-year-old in Collier County with no pre-existing conditions:
| Medi-Share | ACA Bronze | ACA Silver (No Subsidy) | ACA Silver ($45K Income) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $310 | $555 | $720 | $250 |
| Annual cost | $3,720 | $6,660 | $8,640 | $3,000 |
| Deductible/AHP | $3,000 | $8,700 | $5,500 | $5,500 |
| Pre-existing covered | After 36 months | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mental health | Limited | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Annual cap | $1M/incident | None | None | None |
Notice that the subsidized ACA Silver plan ($250/month) is actually cheaper than Medi-Share ($310/month) and provides stronger protections. Always check your subsidy eligibility before choosing health sharing.
Can You Combine Health Sharing with Other Coverage?
Some people use health sharing as one component of a broader strategy:
- Health sharing + fixed indemnity plan: A fixed indemnity plan pays set amounts for doctor visits and hospital stays, supplementing health sharing's coverage.
- Health sharing + accident plan: Accident insurance covers injury-related expenses, reducing your exposure for the most common unexpected medical costs.
- Health sharing + short-term insurance: Some people carry a short-term plan alongside health sharing for additional protection, though this adds to monthly costs.
These combinations can help fill gaps but add complexity and cost. A licensed agent can help you evaluate whether a combined approach makes sense versus a single ACA plan.
Questions to Ask Before Joining a Health Sharing Plan
- What is your track record of sharing eligible medical needs? (Ask for specific percentages.)
- What medical conditions or services are not eligible for sharing?
- How long is the waiting period for pre-existing conditions?
- What is the maximum amount shared per incident? Per year? Per lifetime?
- What happens if the organization runs out of funds?
- Is there an independent appeals process for denied sharing requests?
- What lifestyle requirements must I maintain to keep my membership?
- How quickly are approved medical expenses shared/paid?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a health sharing plan the same as health insurance?
No. Health sharing plans are not insurance and are not regulated as insurance. They are voluntary cost-sharing arrangements among members who agree to share each other's medical expenses. There is no legal guarantee that your medical bills will be paid, unlike traditional health insurance where the insurer is contractually obligated to pay covered claims.
Do health sharing plans cover pre-existing conditions?
Most health sharing plans impose waiting periods of 1-3 years for pre-existing conditions, and some exclude them permanently. This is a major difference from ACA-compliant health insurance, which must cover all pre-existing conditions from day one.
How much do health sharing plans cost compared to health insurance?
Health sharing plans typically cost $150 to $500 per person per month, which is often 30-50% less than unsubsidized ACA health insurance. However, if you qualify for ACA subsidies, a Marketplace plan may cost the same or less than a health sharing plan while providing stronger protections.
Can I use a health sharing plan in Florida?
Yes. Health sharing plans operate nationwide, including in Florida. Medi-Share, one of the largest health sharing programs, is headquartered in Melbourne, Florida. Members can typically see any provider, as there are no network restrictions.
What happens if a health sharing plan refuses to pay my medical bills?
Because health sharing plans are not insurance, you have limited legal recourse if the organization declines to share your medical expenses. You cannot file a complaint with your state insurance department. You would be personally responsible for the full cost of the medical bills.
Need Help Deciding?
The choice between health sharing and health insurance is deeply personal and depends on your health, finances, and risk tolerance. Our licensed Florida agents can help you compare the real costs of each option, check your ACA subsidy eligibility, and determine which path provides the best protection for your situation.
Request a free quote or call (888) 214-4898 for an honest, no-pressure consultation.
