This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you enroll through my link, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
If you’re looking for a more affordable way to handle medical expenses without traditional health insurance, health share plans can be a game-changer. But with so many options out there, how do you know which one is the right fit for your situation?
I’ve reviewed the most well-known health share programs — Christian, Jewish, and non-religious — and in this guide, I’ll walk you through the pros and cons of each. I’ll also share why my family personally chose Zion HealthShare, and why I believe it’s a strong choice for many people in 2025.
Quick Comparison: Best Health Share Plans in 2025
| Health Share Plan | Faith-Based? | Monthly Cost | Maternity Benefits | Pre-Existing Conditions | Sharing Limits | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zion HealthShare | No | $111–$856 | ✅ Excellent ✅ Shared after 6 months | ✅ Shareable after 12 months (tier-based) | ✅ No caps on major medical needs ⚠️ Limits apply to routine & preventive services | Best Overall Best Secular Option |
| CHM | Yes – Christian | $98–$861 (up to 3 units) | 🚫 Not for unwed women | ✅ Tier-based with limited sharing via CHM Plus | ⚠️ $125k cap per illness (unlimited with CHM Plus) ❌ Preventive not shared | Practicing Christians |
| United Refuah | Yes – Jewish | $199–$499+ | 🚫 Not for unwed women ✅ Shared after 10 months | ✅ With pre-approval Full sharing after 4 years | ⚠️ $1M per incident ⚠️ $25K cap total during first 60 days ✅ No lifetime cap | Jewish community |
📝 Notes:
- Zion HealthShare has no annual or lifetime caps on eligible major medical needs. Some categories (like preventive care, prescriptions, or therapy) have reasonable limits, clearly outlined in their Member Guidelines.
- CHM has a $125,000 limit per illness unless you add CHM Plus, which allows for unlimited sharing. Preventive and some routine services are not shareable.
- United Refuah shares up to $1 million per medical incident. During the first 60 days, sharing is limited to $25,000 total per member across all incidents. After that period, the full sharing limit applies.
Why I Created This Guide
If you’re here, chances are you’re exploring alternatives to traditional health insurance — maybe you’re self-employed, between jobs, or just tired of paying high premiums for coverage you barely use.
Health shares can save you thousands — but only if you choose the right one. I put this guide together to help you compare the best options and make a confident, informed decision that works for you and your family.
My Top Pick: Zion HealthShare
After researching dozens of health share programs, Zion HealthShare stood out — not just on paper, but in how they actually treat their members. That’s ultimately why my family enrolled, and why I often recommend them to others who are looking for something flexible, affordable, and trustworthy.
What Makes Zion Stand Out
- No Annual or Lifetime Sharing Caps – Your eligible medical needs can be shared, no matter the size.
- Maternity Benefits – Zion offers generous maternity sharing. I’ve even seen members share that they received flowers after their baby was born — small gestures that show how member-focused they are.
- Choose Your Own Doctor – Zion doesn’t restrict you to a network. You can see any provider you want.
- Fast, Transparent Processing – Bills are processed quickly, and Zion is known for being easy to work with — especially important when you’re a self-pay patient.
- Open to All Faiths – You don’t need to sign a statement of faith. A healthy lifestyle is the main requirement.
- Nationwide & Travel Sharing – Needs can be shared across all 50 states and even while traveling or serving abroad.
💡 Getting a quote is fast, free, and completely online. No phone calls or paperwork — just a few clicks, and you can see your price in seconds.
👉 Click here to get your quote from Zion HealthShare
What Others Are Saying About Zion HealthShare
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Just had to submit my first share request after an emergency accident for a broken wrist… ER and surgery bill totaling approx. $40K. Zion helped me get the bill to almost half and sent me a prepaid card to pay off the balance within minutes. It’s just wild/amazing after struggling with the horrible insurance world. I definitely recommend!”
— Britt T.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “They covered my OB visits and labor and delivery. Zero surprises. Beautiful flowers even arrived after my son was born. It’s truly above and beyond. I HIGHLY recommend Zion — just make sure you join before you’re pregnant so it’s shareable!”
— Callie H.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “We’ve been with Zion almost a year. They’ve been REALLY amazing with our maternity sharing request. We haven’t paid a dime over our IUA. Can’t recommend them enough!”
— Jenny D.
Is Zion HealthShare Right for You?
Zion isn’t the only health share available — but for many people, it checks all the boxes. Here’s a quick checklist to help you decide:
✅ You’re generally healthy and want affordable care
✅ You’re self-employed or don’t get benefits from work
✅ You’re looking for a non-religious option
✅ You want to pick your own doctors
✅ You’re frustrated with rising insurance premiums
✅ You’d rather help others directly than fund big insurance companies
If that sounds like you, you’ll likely love what Zion has to offer.
👉 Get your personalized quote — it takes less than a minute
Other Health Share Plans to Consider
Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM)
If you’re looking for a Christian-only health share, CHM is one of the longest-standing options, with a solid reputation and large membership base.
Strengths:
- No application or annual fees
- ACA-compliant
- Optional catastrophic sharing through Brother’s Keeper
- Shareable pre-existing conditions (on Gold tier)
Considerations:
- No preventive care sharing
- No maternity sharing for unwed women
- Benefits vary significantly by plan level
👉 Learn more or get a CHM quote
United Refuah: Best for the Jewish Community
United Refuah was created to meet the needs of the Jewish community and remains the only health share organization with this specific focus.
Strengths:
- No lifetime sharing caps
- Affordable contributions
- Includes wellness visits
Considerations:
- Requires pre-authorization for most needs
- Religious and lifestyle standards apply
👉 Get a quote from United Refuah
Still Deciding?
Here’s a quick summary:
| Your Priority | Recommended Health Share |
|---|---|
| Flexibility, fast processing, secular | Zion HealthShare |
| Faith-based and Christian | CHM |
| Jewish faith and values | United Refuah |
Remember, this isn’t a decision you have to rush — but getting a quote can help you see how much you could save.
If you’re here, you’re probably exploring your options — and it only takes a few clicks to see if a health share like Zion HealthShare could be a good fit for your needs. No calls, no hassle.
👉 Click here to get your personalized quote from Zion HealthShare
Still comparing? You can read my full Zion HealthShare Review, or check out how other plans like CHM and United Refuah stack up on my Complete Health Share Reviews page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best health share plan in 2025?
The best health share plan in 2025 depends on your needs, but Zion HealthShare is widely recommended for its affordability, no lifetime caps on major medical needs, and fast bill processing. It’s also one of the few non-religious health share options, making it a great fit for many individuals and families.
Are health share plans worth it?
Health share plans can be worth it if you’re generally healthy and want a more affordable alternative to traditional health insurance. Many people save thousands each year, especially those who are self-employed or don’t qualify for ACA subsidies. Just make sure to compare benefits, member guidelines, and how each plan handles pre-existing conditions.
How do I choose the best health share for my family?
To choose the best health share for your family, consider your monthly budget, lifestyle, faith requirements (if any), and how each plan handles maternity, preventive care, and pre-existing conditions. In 2025, Zion HealthShare is one of the top-rated choices for families due to its flexible membership options and strong member support.
Have you found any holistic health share plans?
I’m really getting sick of paying for health insurance for “emergencies” while paying thousands for my deductible that doesn’t cover all the natural doctors I actually want to see? And it seems with Zion that is the same, it’s western medical care. Thanks so much!
Hi Melissa,
I have found that Health Share plans like Zion HealthShare will share in holistic or natural doctors for annual wellness visits (up to $250/no lab work included) and for larger medical needs (after written approval and after your IUA has been paid).
This means that if you had cancer and wanted to work with natural and holistic doctors, you would contact Zion HealthShare, obtain written approval for this, and then proceed with sharing after your IUA has been met.
I have also found that with the money I am saving each month with Zion HealthShare, I have more money to pay for things like organic food, regular massages, high quality supplements, chiropractor visits, gym equipment, etc. to be more proactive about my family’s health.
You can also look into a Direct Primary Care (DPC) office that is more holistic. If you join one, you can save with Zion HealthShare since you would go from a Direct Membership to an Essential membership. This just means that you would go to your DPC for things like annual visits, blood work, and most of your healthcare needs. You would only use Zion HealthShare for the large and unexpected medical needs.
You can check out my article here about how that all works: https://healthshare101.com/zion-health-is-perfect-for-dpc-members/
Let me know if you have any more questions. I am happy to help!
Holly
HealthShare101.com
Hello –
I am looking for heath-share plan for a 74 years old female (widow). This female does not have access to Medicare/SS.
what options does she have ? It seems Sedera and Zion don’t accept anyone above 64 🙁
Thanks!
Hi Raman,
It looks like the best Health Share plan for people over 65 years old would be with Medi-Share 65+ program. You can review this to see if it is a good fit for your friend: https://www.medishare.com/sixty-five
CHM also has something for seniors over 65 years old, but it looks like it must be paired with Medicare. You can read more about that here: https://www.chministries.org/how-it-works/my-medical-needs/medicare/
I hope your friend finds something that works for her soon 🙂
Thank you,
Holly
HealthShare101.com
Hi,
I checked Medi-Share 65+ program as you suggested. That also needs Medicare A&B.
are there any options for a 74 year old who is not eligible for Medicare/SS.
Thanks,
Raman
Hi Raman,
The only option (that I know of) would be to get health insurance coverage in the Marketplace. You can check eligibility here: https://www.healthcare.gov/quick-guide/eligibility/
I’m sorry that a health share plan is not a good solution for your friend, but I hope she finds something suitable for her needs!
Thank you,
Holly
HealthShare101.com
Have you compared employer based health sharing programs.
Not specifically for employers, but the recommendations here are a really great place to start looking at your options. I will be sure to make a new post for this specifically 🙂
-Holly
HealthShare101.com
Why don’t you compare Impact here when it seems to be more comparable with Zion?
Hi Dana,
I am currently doing a more in-depth review of Impact Health Sharing, and updating all of the Health Share’s information to make sure they are all up to date.
For now, Zion Health Share is still the top Health Share that I recommend, based on overall price and value for what you get as a member.
Thank you,
Holly
HealthShare101.com
My husband and I must find an alternative to costly private health insurance. We used CHM years ago and were happy with it. We are now in our early 50’s and will need routine preventative things like colonoscopies and such. It gets muddled when looking at reviews because they differ so much with all share plans, this is how I came across your sight. We understand how share plans work and are not new to submitting our visits and such, but I wanted to see if you think Zion is a good choice for us at this stage. My husband does have pre existing high blood pressure, but that is all we have going on at this time. Thank you in advance for your help.
Hi Darby,
With Zion HealthShare, Annual wellness visits are available right away, and preventative procedures like Colonoscopies are sharable after six months of membership. Also, High blood pressure is not considered pre-existing (with Zion) if you have it controlled with lifestyle and/or medication and have not been hospitalized for it in the last 12 months. Zion HealthShare seems to be a good fit for you.
Holly
HealthShare101.com
Do you have any thoughts/opinions on Knew Health? That seems to be the one I keep coming back too, however, this will be the first time our family chooses a health share program so I am still in research mode. It seems to be pretty comparable to Zion, but for some reason it’s not really talked about despite the raving reviews.
Hi Katelyn,
In the past, KnewHealth was just an affiliate of Sedera. They are now their own Health Share. In the limited time I have communicated with them, it wasn’t the best experience. I still stand by my choices in this article.
Thank you,
Holly
HealthShare101.com
Hi Holly,
Your site is a great resource and provides a lot of information, thank you! I wanted to go with Zion, however they aren’t currently offering their plans to residents of Washington state. The same is also true for many of the other secular health sharing companies. Do you have any recommendation for one who does accept Washington state residents? A Christian ministry might work, as long as there faith statement doesn’t require regular church attendance.
Hi Eddie,
I would look into Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM) since they are reputable and they don’t say that regular church attendance is one of their requirements to join. You will want to review their statement of faith to make sure they align with you. You can also compare all of the Christian Health Share’s religious requirements here: https://healthshare101.com/christian-healthshare-plans/
Best of luck,
Holly
HealthShare101.com
Hello, can you please explain the 3 $1000 deductibles that Zion has? It seems Medishare could be a better option at only $2500. I have also heard Medishare takes a while to pay your bill where Zion is very quick. Thoughts on this?
Hi Daniel,
Medi-Share: The Annual Household Portion (AHP) is the dollar amount that a Member Household agrees to pay toward Eligible Medical Bills before any eligible bills may be shared among the Members. Christian Care Ministry (Medi-Share) has several AHP amounts: $3000, $6000, $9000, and $12000. The AHP amount resets every 12 months on the Effective Date.
Zion HealthShare: The initial unshareable amount, or IUA, is the amount that a member will pay before the Zion HealthShare community shares in medical expenses. The IUA is also known as your personal responsibility. Zion HealthShare has three primary levels of personal responsibility: $1,000, $2,500, and $5,000. The lower your personal responsibility (or IUA), the higher your monthly contribution will be.
All qualifying medical expenses submitted after the IUA is met are shareable with the Zion HealthShare community at one hundred percent. There is no annual or lifetime limit. For each separate need, the Zion HealthShare community will share medical costs after the IUA is met. You will not need to pay the IUA for a single need again until you are symptom free for 12 months. Additionally, you will not be responsible for more than three IUAs in a rolling 12-month period.
Medi-Share’s $3,000 AHP is similar to Zion HealthShare’s $1,000 IUA, as far as how much money is the member’s responsibility before the Health Share pays for eligible medical bills. This article includes a simple video explaining how it works using some examples: https://healthshare101.com/what-does-a-healthshare-iua-mean/
Both plans have No Lifetime Or Annual Sharing Limits which I think is very important. And yes, Zion HealthShare is known for paying for medical bills quickly, which is a huge win (and one of the reasons why I joined them).
In the end, it just really depends on which membership you feel most comfortable with joining.
Thank you,
Holly
HealthShare101.com
Hi Holly,
With Zion, do you submit any medical bills to reach the IUA and let them sort it out? Just trying to figure out when Zion knows you’ve reached the IUA?
Roger,
I keep ALL of the itemized bill(s) AND receipt(s) showing that I have paid. If I think/know a specific medical event is going to go over my IUA, I would start a “need” and start submitting the information, even if I haven’t yet reached my IUA (personally, I’d probably call and let them know what’s coming). Once my expenses/receipts reaches my IUA, Zion Health Share would take care of the rest of the eligible medical expenses, including negotiating costs for me. At that point, I would just start submitting the itemized bills and they would handle payment.
Thank you,
Holly
HealthShare101.com
Thank you
Hi, do any of the health shares cover anything like chiropractor adjustments? Thanks!
Hi Troy,
Most Health Shares will only share in Chiropractic adjustments if it’s part of a larger medical need (such as after a car accident that required a hospital stay, therapy, and chiropractic care, etc).
Thank you,
Holly
HealthShare101.com
Hey! I found your page from a comment you left on CrowdHealth’s instagram page and was wondering why they didn’t make your list? I am researching a few options and was wondering. Also wondering which of the health shares you listed above are you affiliated with?
Hi Bella,
CrowdHealth is not a Health Share, which is why it didn’t make my list for top Health Shares 🙂 I am affiliated with both Zion HealthShare (which is the one my family joined) as well as Sedera. I wish I could be an affiliate with CHM but they only offer to those who are members with them (and I am not leaving Zion HealthShare!).
I gotta sleep at night so I won’t recommend a Health Share unless they do a great job.
Thank you,
Holly