Medi-Share vs Samaritan
Medi-Share and Samaritan Ministries solve the same problem in different ways. Medi-Share is a long-running Christian health care sharing ministry. Members select an Annual Household Portion (AHP) — the amount they cover before sharing begins — and eligible bills are shared from the community. It requires a statement of Christian faith and a lifestyle agreement. Medi-Share is not insurance; it has a large member base and an established track record, but the usual sharing caveats on pre-existing conditions and non-covered services apply. By contrast, 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. Below we compare them on cost, coverage, eligibility, and who each one fits best — with sources you can check.
| Factor | Medi-Share | Samaritan |
|---|---|---|
| Typical monthly cost | Approx. $200-$650/mo by household and AHP (a share, not a premium) | Approx. $150-$530/mo by household (a share, not a premium) |
| 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. | Requires a statement of Christian faith and lifestyle agreement. |
| Best for | Practicing Christian households; Members wanting an established ministry | Practicing Christian households; Members who value direct community |
Medi-Share
Medi-Share is a long-running Christian health care sharing ministry. Members select an Annual Household Portion (AHP) — the amount they cover before sharing begins — and eligible bills are shared from the community. It requires a statement of Christian faith and a lifestyle agreement. Medi-Share is not insurance; it has a large member base and an established track record, but the usual sharing caveats on pre-existing conditions and non-covered services apply.
Pros
- Large, established community
- Multiple AHP tiers
- Telehealth included
- Nationwide
Cons
- Not insurance
- Faith requirement
- Pre-existing limits
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
Frequently asked questions
- Is Medi-Share or Samaritan cheaper?
- Samaritan typically has the lower monthly cost (approx. $150-$530/mo by household (a share, not a premium)), while Medi-Share runs higher (approx. $200-$650/mo by household and ahp (a share, not a premium)). The cheaper option is not automatically better — weigh the coverage trade-offs below.
- What is the main difference between Medi-Share and Samaritan?
- One of the largest Christian medical cost-sharing programs, organized around an Annual Household Portion. A Christian sharing ministry where members often send shares directly to one another.
- Is Medi-Share real insurance?
- No. Medi-Share 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
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