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When people first learn about health share programs, one of the biggest decisions they face is choosing between Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM) and Zion HealthShare.

That makes sense—these two organizations are among the most well-known in the health share community, but they take very different approaches. So let’s break down all the details to help you choose the one that best fits your needs, values, and lifestyle.

Member Requirements: What Kind of Community Are You Joining?

When choosing a health share, it’s important to understand the values and lifestyle expectations of each organization. While both CHM and Zion HealthShare are built around community and shared responsibility, their membership requirements are very different.

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Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM)

CHM is built on a conservative evangelical Christian foundation. To join—and to keep your medical needs eligible for sharing—you must agree to a detailed statement of faith and follow specific lifestyle guidelines rooted in biblical doctrine.

1. Core Beliefs (Non‑Negotiables)

• The Bible is the inspired and inerrant word of God.
• Salvation comes through Jesus Christ.
• Marriage is defined as one man and one woman.
• Life is sacred from conception.

These doctrines extend to gender identity, sexuality, and sanctity of life. Any behavior viewed as inconsistent with these beliefs may result in a medical need being ineligible for sharing.

2. Daily Lifestyle Expectations

• Church Attendance: Regular participation is expected (Hebrews 10:25).
• Substance Use: No tobacco or nicotine in any form, no marijuana (even medical), no illegal drugs. Alcohol may only be used in biblically responsible moderation.
• Sexual Conduct: No sexual activity outside a traditional heterosexual marriage. This includes cohabitation, adultery, same-sex relationships, pornography, etc.

3. How This Affects Medical Bill Sharing

If a medical condition is linked to a violation of CHM’s moral code (e.g., a smoking-related illness, injuries while intoxicated, or a pregnancy outside of biblical marriage), the bills may be denied. CHM may also review future bills and require proof of compliance before sharing resumes.

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Zion HealthShare

Zion HealthShare emphasizes health, ethics, and community over doctrinal alignment. Members commit to living health-conscious lives and contributing to a compassionate community of mutual aid.

1. Foundational Principles

• No religious test—Zion HealthShare welcomes people of any (or no) faith.
• Members must agree that an ethical and health-conscious community, accountable to a higher power, can care for one another by sharing costs.
• Integrity, honesty, and mutual respect are key.

2. Lifestyle Guidelines

• No illicit or illegal drug use.
• No alcohol abuse (moderate use is allowed).
• Tobacco use is allowed, but adds a $50 monthly surcharge per household and sharing limitations apply. Additionally, tobacco users must choose the $1,000 or $2,500 IUA—the $5,000 option is off-limits for households with tobacco use.
• Healthy Living: Members agree to maintain balanced habits and avoid behavior that endangers themselves or others.
• Respect & Safety: Physical, emotional, or mental abuse is grounds for removal from the program.

3. How Violations Are Handled

If Zion HealthShare learns of a breach (e.g., illicit drug use or alcohol abuse), it may pause all sharing while the situation is reviewed. Members have 30 days to submit proof of compliance. If they can’t, the membership ends and prior contributions are not refunded.

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Quick Comparison Table

Requirement	CHM	Zion HealthShare
Statement of Faith	Mandatory	Not required
Church Attendance	Required	Not required
Tobacco	Prohibited	Allowed, $50 surcharge
Alcohol	Only in moderation	Moderate use allowed
Sexual Morality Rules	Strict (marriage only)	No specific rules
Lifestyle Violation Consequences	Medical bills may be denied; future sharing paused	Sharing paused for review; member may be removed
Dispute Resolution	CHM Board and appeals panel	Mediation, then binding arbitration

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Monthly Costs and Member Responsibility

Understanding how each health share handles your monthly contributions and how much you’ll pay when you get medical care is key to choosing the right fit.

While both CHM and Zion HealthShare are more affordable than traditional insurance, they have very different pricing structures and methods of cost sharing.

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Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM)

CHM uses a “unit-based” pricing model and a per-illness personal responsibility threshold called a Qualifying Amount (QA). This amount must be paid by the member before sharing begins.

How Monthly Pricing Works

• 1 adult = 1 unit
• All children count as 1 unit together
• Maximum: 3 units per family

You choose from three programs (Gold, Silver, or Bronze), and can optionally add CHM Plus to increase your sharing limits.

2025 Monthly Contributions (Per Unit)

• Gold: $255
• Silver: $148
• Bronze: $98
• CHM Plus (optional): +$32 per unit
• SeniorShare (for Medicare users): $115

Note: CHM does not adjust pricing based on age.

What You Pay When You Get Sick or Hurt

CHM sets a Qualifying Amount (QA) for each illness—an upfront member responsibility that must be met for that specific condition before any bills are shared.

Membership Type	Qualifying Amount (QA) per illness
Gold	$1,250
Silver	$3,000
Bronze	$6,000
SeniorShare	$500

Once your bills for a specific illness meet or exceed the QA and pass lifestyle eligibility checks, CHM begins sharing the remaining costs.

Note: If 90 days pass without treatment or symptoms for that condition, a new QA applies if it returns.

Unlimited Sharing? You’ll Want CHM Plus

Without CHM Plus, all programs have a $125,000 per illness cap. CHM Plus (an extra $32/unit/month) removes that cap for catastrophic needs. It’s especially important if you’re planning for unpredictable, high-cost events.

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Zion HealthShare

The initial unshareable amount, or IUA, is the amount a member must pay before expenses related to a medical need become eligible for sharing with the medical cost sharing community. We have three membership IUA options: $1,000, $2,500, and $5,000.

After the IUA is met, additional eligible medical expenses are eligible for sharing with the Zion HealthShare community. There is no annual or lifetime limit on eligible expenses. Members do not need to pay another IUA for any given sharing request until they are symptom free for 12 months. Additionally, household memberships will not be responsible for more than three (3) IUAs in a rolling 12-month period.

You Choose Your IUA

• $1,000 → Higher monthly cost
• $2,500 → Balanced
• $5,000 → Lowest monthly cost

Zion HealthShare’s pricing is determined by household size, the age of the oldest member, the selected IUA (Initial Unshareable Amount) and the chosen Membership option.

2025 Direct Membership Monthly Rates

Here’s a quick example of age-based pricing across all IUA levels. The price range shows the differences between an individual membership and a family membership.

Age	$1,000 IUA	$2,500 IUA	$5,000 IUA
18–29	$209–$605	$156–$446	$111–$324
30–39	$248–$637	$198–$504	$170–$433
40–49	$242–$683	$208–$562	$183–$489
50–64	$305–$856	$281–$707	$201–$549

Add $50/month if anyone in the household uses tobacco (this is per household and not per person)

How Much You Pay for Medical Sharing Requests

Here’s how your Initial Unshareable Amount (IUA) works with Zion HealthShare:

• You choose your IUA: $1,000, $2,500, or $5,000.
• For each new medical need, you pay your selected IUA amount before related expenses become eligible for sharing.
• Once your IUA is met, additional eligible medical expenses for that same need can be shared with the community.
• You don’t pay another IUA for that same need unless you’ve been symptom-free for 12 months and the need returns.
• Household memberships will not pay more than three IUAs within a rolling 12-month period, no matter how many separate medical needs occur.
• There’s no annual or lifetime limit on eligible expenses that can be shared.

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Case Study: What Would You Actually Pay?

Let’s compare CHM Gold (with CHM Plus) vs. Zion HealthShare’s $1,000 IUA option using common life scenarios.

Example 1: Single 25-Year-Old

Membership Option	Monthly Cost	Annual Cost	Per-Need Cost
CHM Gold + CHM Plus	$255 + $32 = $287	$3,444	$1,250 per illness (resets after 90 days)
Zion HealthShare (1K IUA)	$209	$2,508	$1,000 per sharing request (max 3x per year)

Example 2: Married Couple + 3 Kids (Oldest Parent = Age 35)

Membership Option	Monthly Cost	Annual Cost	Per-Need Cost
CHM Gold + CHM Plus (3 units)	$861	$10,332	$1,250 per illness
Zion HealthShare (1K IUA, Member + Family)	$637	$7,644	$1,000 per sharing request (max $3,000/year)

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Key Differences at a Glance

Feature	CHM	Zion HealthShare
Monthly Pricing	Per unit; flat regardless of age	Age-banded; membership type, family size and IUA affect cost
Per-Need Cost	QA resets after 90 days w/o treatment	IUA resets after 12 months symptom-free
Annual Max Cost	No cap unless you add CHM Plus	3 IUAs within a rolling 12-month period (e.g., $3,000 on a $1K IUA)
Unlimited Sharing	Requires CHM Plus add-on	Included by default
Tobacco Policy	Not allowed	Allowed with $50 surcharge

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CHM vs. Zion HealthShare: Price Calculator

Use this calculator alongside the comparison to see real-world numbers for your situation.

How to use it:

1. Set your basics: Choose the oldest adult’s age and the number of people on your membership.
2. Pick your health share & membership details:
   • CHM: Select Gold / Silver / Bronze and toggle CHM Plus if you have it.
   • Zion HealthShare: Select your household type and IUA ($1,000 / $2,500 / $5,000).
3. Remember these rules:
   • CHM:
     • No Plus: $125,000 cap per illness.
     • Gold + CHM Plus: Unlimited eligible sharing.
     • Silver/Bronze + CHM Plus: Cap grows by $100,000 per year of Plus (Year 1 = $225,000, Year 2 = $325,000, etc.) up to $1,000,000. Use the “Years with CHM Plus” field to reflect this.
   • Zion HealthShare:
     • You pay the IUA per eligible sharing request (max three IUAs in any rolling 12 months).
     • Preventive annual provider visit reimburses up to $175 and doesn’t use the IUA.
     • No annual or lifetime caps on eligible expenses.
4. Test scenarios (type any amount):
   • A — Preventive visit: Try your clinic’s actual APV price; Zion HealthShare shares up to $175 (no IUA). CHM generally doesn’t share preventive visits.
   • B — C-section / maternity: Enter your expected bundle to see your responsibility vs. the share (CHM uses a maternity QA; Zion HealthShare uses a maternity IUA).
   • C — Major surgery / hospitalization: Enter a large number (e.g., $3,000,000) to visualize how out-of-pocket vs. shared amounts change with caps or unlimited sharing.

This tool is for education only and uses 2025 pricing where noted. Actual eligibility, sharing limits, waiting periods, maternity rules, and payment timelines depend on each organization’s current guidelines and your specific situation. I do my best to keep this updated, but details change—always verify with the health share’s website and member guidelines before enrolling or making care decisions. Nothing here is insurance, medical, legal, or financial advice.

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Preventive Care

Preventive care includes routine services like annual checkups, cancer screenings, well-child visits, and vaccines. These services help catch issues early—but not all health shares treat them the same way.

Some health shares exclude preventive care altogether unless a service is considered diagnostic. Others, like Zion HealthShare, offer built-in preventive care.

Let’s look at how each program handles these common needs.

Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM)

CHM does not share in most preventive services. Their Guidelines list routine checkups, vaccinations, medications, dental/vision, and alternative care as ineligible for cost sharing.

CHM is designed primarily to help with large, unexpected medical expenses—not routine maintenance or preventive screenings.

Exception: Cancer Screenings (If They Cross the QA)

CHM may share certain preventive screenings—like colonoscopies, mammograms, or endoscopies—only if:

• The screening is doctor-ordered.
• The total cost of the bills exceeds your program’s QA.
• All lifestyle and eligibility guidelines are met.

In practice, most preventive services cost less than the QA amount, which means you usually pay out of pocket.

Example Scenarios:

• Screening colonoscopy costing $2,200: If it’s ordered by your provider and the total exceeds the Gold QA ($1,250), CHM may share the balance after your QA is met.
• Screening colonoscopy costing $900: Not shared, since it doesn’t meet the QA threshold.
• Annual physical, routine labs, vaccines, and well-child visits: Not eligible for sharing under CHM guidelines.

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Zion HealthShare

Zion HealthShare offers built-in preventive care benefits for Direct Members (optional add-on for Essential Members). These benefits are not subject to the IUA, and there are clear caps and wait periods depending on the service. Zion HealthShare shares the provider visit up to $175; routine labs are member-pay unless part of a bigger medical sharing request.

What Zion HealthShare Shares:

Service	Eligibility/Timing	Sharing Limit
Annual Provider Visit (APV)	Immediate	Up to $175 per year
Colorectal Screening (e.g., colonoscopy)	After 6 months	Up to $5,000 (includes bundled cost)
gFOBT and FIT	Once every 12 months	Up to $500 for the test/every 3 years
sDNA-FIT Test	Every 3 years	Up to $500
Mammogram (age 40+)	After 6 months	Up to $600/year
Well-Child Visits	After 6 months (or immediately for newborns tied to maternity sharing request)	Visit up to $175; vaccines up to CDC prices
Pap/PSA Screening	At APV (PAP immediate, PSA at 50+)	Included in $175 limit

Zion HealthShare also allows you to see any provider—no networks or restrictions.

Follow-Up Diagnostics

If a preventive service uncovers a health concern, any follow-up diagnostics or treatment would fall under the normal IUA rules.

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Comparison Example: Annual Checkup + Labs

Scenario	CHM	Zion HealthShare
APV Cost: $140	Not shared	Zion HealthShare shares full $140 (up to $175 cap)
Routine labs: $120	Not shared	Member-paid (unless diagnostic)
Total Shared	$0	$140 (visit only)

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Comparison Example: Screening Colonoscopy

Scenario	CHM (Gold)	Zion HealthShare
Cost: $2,200	CHM shares amount over $1,250 (if all rules met)	Zion HealthShare shares full $2,200 after 6-month wait
Cost: $900	Not shared (doesn’t exceed QA)	Not shared if below cap, unless bundled or meets criteria
Home test alternative	Not shared	Up to $500 for the test/every 3 years (FIT) or $500 (sDNA-FIT)
Follow-up diagnostics	Shared if illness threshold met	Subject to IUA if diagnostic

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Bottom Line: Preventive Care

Feature	CHM	Zion HealthShare
Routine exams	Not shared	Yes, $175/year
Cancer screening (e.g., colonoscopy, mammogram)	Only shared if total exceeds QA and meets guidelines	Shared up to $5,000 (colonoscopy) and $600 (mammogram), with waiting periods
Well-child visits	Not shared	Yes, after 6 months (or immediately if maternity event)
Vaccines	Not shared	Shared per CDC price list (well-child)
Follow-up care	Shared if meets QA and lifestyle compliance	Subject to IUA if diagnostic

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Summary

• CHM: Preventive care is rarely shared. If it’s under your QA, you pay out of pocket—even for cancer screenings. Most members handle routine care through direct pay or discount services.
• Zion HealthShare: Preventive care is clearly defined and paid with stated limits. It’s a big win for those who value regular checkups and screenings.

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Pre‑existing or Pre‑membership Conditions

A pre-existing condition is any health issue that existed before joining a health share—whether you were diagnosed, treated, took medications, or even just had symptoms.

How CHM and Zion HealthShare define, phase in, and limit pre-existing or pre-membership conditions is very different. The ability to get help for those sharing requests depends on how stable the condition is and how long you’ve been a member.

Let’s break down exactly what each organization requires and how sharing works.

Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM)

How CHM Defines a Pre-Existing Condition

A condition is considered pre-existing if you had:

• Signs or symptoms,
• Testing or diagnosis,
• Treatment or prescribed medication

before your start date, even if you weren’t officially diagnosed.

To no longer be considered pre-existing, all of the following must be true:

1. Your doctor states that no further treatment is needed.
2. You are no longer on maintenance medications.
3. You’ve had 12 months with no signs, symptoms, testing, or treatment for the condition.

Cancer exception: To no longer be considered pre-existing, you must be cancer-free with a doctor’s statement and have five years with no symptoms, testing, or treatment (routine follow-up OK).

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Active vs. Maintained Conditions

CHM uses these definitions to determine if your condition qualifies for limited sharing:

• Active Condition: Still symptomatic, being treated, or on medication.
  → Not shareable.
• Maintained Condition: No symptoms, no active treatment, and doctor confirms it’s stable.
  → Eligible for phased-in sharing (Gold) or may be submitted to CHM Give (Silver/Bronze).

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CHM’s Sharing Schedule for Maintained Pre-Existing Conditions (Gold Program)

Membership Duration	Maximum Shared
Year 1	$15,000
Years 1–2 (cumulative)	$25,000
Years 1–3 (cumulative)	$50,000
After Year 3	No longer considered pre-existing → fully shareable under Gold rules

Important: If you switch membership levels or lapse in membership, the schedule may restart.

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Caps and the Role of CHM Plus

• Without CHM Plus: All core programs (Gold, Silver, Bronze) have a $125,000 per illness lifetime cap.
• With CHM Plus: Adds unlimited catastrophic sharing after the illness passes the Gold schedule (or if the condition is no longer pre-existing).

Silver and Bronze memberships do not include the Gold pre-existing sharing schedule. Maintained conditions on those tiers may be submitted to CHM Give, a donation-based program.

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CHM Give (Donation-Based Support)

If your need doesn’t qualify under standard sharing, CHM may present it on the CHM Give platform:

• Members contribute voluntarily.
• Funds are not guaranteed.
• You must maintain active membership.

This is not a core benefit, so don’t rely on it for critical costs—but it can be a generous supplement.

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Zion HealthShare

How Zion HealthShare Defines a Pre-Membership Medical Request

A pre-membership medical condition is anything where a member has experienced one or more of the following: 

• been examined,
• been diagnosed,
• taken medication,
• had symptoms,
• a personal history of or known increased risk of conditions that may arise or worsen in pregnancy, or
• received medical treatment within the 24 months prior to their membership start date. Sharing requests related to pre-membership medical conditions are only eligible for sharing if the condition was regarded as cured and did not require treatment or present symptoms for 24 months prior to the membership start date.

To avoid being considered pre-membership:

• The condition must be fully resolved and symptom-free for 24 months before your enrollment date.

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Zion HealthShare’s Phase-In Schedule for Pre-Membership Conditions

Membership Duration	Maximum Shared (per condition)
Year 1	$0 (waiting period)
Year 2	Up to $25,000
Year 3	Up to $50,000
Year 4+	Up to $125,000 per rolling 12-month period (renewed annually)

Each condition follows its own timeline. Sharing resets each year.

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Condition Exceptions

Zion HealthShare does not treat the following as pre-membership, if controlled and non-hospitalized in the last 12 months:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes (Type 1 or 2)

As long as your condition is stable and you’re managing it with medication or diet, you can stay on maintenance meds and still qualify for sharing.

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Additional Giving Fund

Zion HealthShare offers a voluntary donation-based fund for members whose sharing requests don’t meet standard sharing guidelines:

• You must be a member for 3+ months and meet your IUA.
• Awards are reviewed case-by-case by a dedicated committee.
• Not guaranteed, but 100% of donations go to members in need.

Use this as potential backup—not primary protection.

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Real Talk: Which One Helps Most in Your Situation?

Scenario	CHM Gold	Zion HealthShare
Stable condition, no meds, no symptoms	Eligible for Gold pre-existing schedule right away	Not eligible until Year 2
On maintenance medication	Not eligible (must stop meds and be “maintained”)	Still eligible for phase-in sharing
Common conditions (e.g., blood pressure)	Treated as pre-existing	Not treated as pre-membership condition if stable and no recent hospitalization
Long-term support	Gold pays fully after Year 3	Renewable $125K/year per condition after Year 4
Donation back-up	CHM Give	Additional Giving Fund
Meds OK during waiting period?	No	Yes (see “Condition Exceptions”)
Sharing begins	Possibly Year 1 (if “maintained”)	Always Year 2 (no exceptions)

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Summary: Key Takeaways

Choose CHM (Gold + CHM Plus) if you:

• Have a condition that is now fully “maintained,” with no treatment or medication needed.
• Want long-term sharing after 3 years with no annual cap (once the condition is no longer pre-existing).
• Are comfortable following strict definitions and documentation requirements.
• Consider adding CHM Plus to lift the $125K cap per illness.

Choose Zion HealthShare if you:

• Need to stay on maintenance medications.
• Want a simpler, predictable sharing schedule that builds annually.
• Have common chronic conditions like hypertension or diabetes and want sharing to begin sooner.
• Prefer a fixed $125K annual limit per condition after Year 4, even for long-term needs.

Maternity: CHM vs. Zion HealthShare

If you’re planning to grow your family, it’s essential to understand when maternity care is eligible for sharing and how much you’ll pay under each health share program. CHM and Zion HealthShare handle maternity very differently when it comes to eligibility, timing, costs, and what’s included.

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Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM)

Eligibility & Timing Rules

• You must be married at the time of conception.
• You must be a member for at least 300 days before your estimated due date.
• If you switch programs within 300 days of your due date, you’ll be locked into the lower-tier program’s sharing limits—even if you upgrade later.

If you join CHM while already pregnant or are unmarried at conception, the entire pregnancy (including complications and newborn care) is ineligible for sharing.

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Maternity Sharing Limits

• CHM shares up to $125,000 per pregnancy.
• CHM Plus is highly recommended to extend protection beyond that $125K limit.

Note: CHM Plus must be added before conception to remove the cap.

Each maternity event has both a:

• Maternity Qualifying Amount (QA)
• Maternity Personal Responsibility (PR)
  These are set at the same amount, and you must pay both before sharing begins.

Program	Maternity QA/PR
Gold	$2,500
Silver	$5,000
Bronze	$9,000

Call CHM within the first 16 weeks of pregnancy to receive a $500 reduction in your PR.

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What CHM Will Share

Prenatal

• Routine OB or midwife visits
• Standard lab work
• Up to 3 medically necessary ultrasounds
• Maternity-related prescriptions and immunizations

Delivery

• Hospital, birthing center, or home birth
• OB/midwife fees (primary midwife + one birth assistant)
• Anesthesia
• Complications for both mother and baby

Postnatal

• Mother’s care within 90 days
• Baby’s routine and problem visits within 30 days
• Postpartum depression care within 90 days (inpatient, counseling, medications)

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Common Exclusions

• Pregnancy if not married at conception or if member joined after conception
• IVF, surrogacy, embryo transfer or adoption
• Donor sperm, birth control, OTC meds, doulas, birthing tubs, and breast pumps
• Invasive genetic testing (limited exceptions if medically necessary)
• Travel, on-call fees, lactation consultants

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Newborn Enrollment

• First 30 days of care are shared under the mother’s unit (if maternity was eligible).
• To continue sharing, baby must be added to membership within 30 days.
• Congenital conditions move to the baby’s own unit immediately.

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Submission Tips

• Submit global billing bundles and any pre-payment agreements from OB or hospital.
• Bills must be submitted within 6 months of the estimated due date.
• Early submission allows CHM to negotiate discounts more effectively.

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Real-World Examples

Scenario	Total Bill	Member Pays	CHM Shares
Uncomplicated hospital birth	$12,000	$2,500 (PR/QA) → $2,000 if early call	$9,500–$10,000
C-section with complications	$60,000	$2,500 (PR/QA)	$57,500 (within $125K limit)
Event exceeds $125K	$160,000	$35,000	CHM shares $125K (add CHM Plus before conception to remove cap)

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Zion HealthShare

Eligibility & Timing Rules

• Maternity sharing is not eligible in the first 6 months of membership.
• Conception must occur after 6 months of active membership.
• You’ll need medical records to verify the date of conception.

Exception: Members who joined before April 1, 2025, or who enroll through an employer may skip the 6-month wait—but conception must still occur after membership begins.

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Maternity IUA (What You Pay)

Zion HealthShare applies a separate Maternity IUA, depending on your regular IUA level:

Your Regular IUA	Maternity IUA
$1,000	$2,500
$2,500	$2,500
$5,000	$5,000

Note: You only pay the maternity IUA once per pregnancy—then all eligible charges are shareable.

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What Zion HealthShare Will Share

Prenatal

• Routine office visits
• Routine lab work
• Immunizations must be ordered by a licensed practitioner and is subject to the CDC Pricing List:
  • RSV: One dose ordered as part of routine prenatal care for women in their third trimester during the months of September through January.
  • Tdap: Ordered for women between 27 and 36 weeks, only.
• Fetal non-stress test (after 36 weeks)
• Up to three standard ultrasounds (unless an unexpected complication requires additional scans)
• STD/STI screenings prescribed by a licensed practitioner as part of routine prenatal care

Delivery

• Ob-gyn labor and delivery
• Cesarean
• Multiple births
• Hospital labor and delivery
• Hospital room and board
• Anesthesiologist
• Nitrous Oxide: Must use FDA approved devices, cannot be combined with or also receive an epidural, and a sharing limit of $400.
• Home births
• Maternal fetal medical specialist consultations, when ordered by the medical provider managing the pregnancy.
• Pelvic manipulation is only eligible for sharing if there is a new onset of back and/or pelvic pain, after the 30th week, and with a total of 20 visits but no more than $2000, whichever occurs first. Exceptions will be considered for multiple births. Pelvic manipulation will no longer be shareable with the eligible maternity request after the date of delivery.
• Birthing centers
• Charges related to unexpected complications for the mother
• One in-hospital pediatrician visit, including routine immunizations, routine lab work, and routine hearing tests (all eligible for sharing when the baby is added to the household membership within 30 days of delivery and when these services occur prior to discharge from hospital)

Postnatal

• Mother’s six (6)-week postpartum checkup with pap test
• Two-week cesarean post-op appointment

Any newborn needs after hospital discharge start a new medical sharing requests with its own IUA.

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If you have questions about a specific service, please contact the Maternity department prior to receiving care. All genetic testing will be the responsibility of the member.

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Submission Tips

• Open a sharing request within 6 months of the first service date.
• Each new bill must be submitted within 6 months of service.
• Zion HealthShare’s Medical Advocacy team can pre-pay providers when needed.

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Real-World Examples

Scenario	Total Bill	Member Pays	Zion HealthShare Shares
Uncomplicated hospital birth (1K IUA option)	$12,000	$2,500 (Maternity IUA)	$9,500
Home birth with midwife	$6,500	$2,500	$4,000 (midwife cap = $7,000)
C-section with complications	$60,000	$2,500	$57,500 (newborn needs post-birth require new IUA)

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Side-by-Side Summary: CHM vs Zion HealthShare

Feature	CHM	Zion HealthShare
Marriage requirement	Must be married at conception	Not required
Waiting period	Must join 300 days before due date	Must join 6 months before conception
Maternity Cost	$2,500 (Gold)	$2,500 (on $1,000 IUA)
Maximum sharing	$125K per pregnancy (unlimited with CHM Plus)	No specific cap; standard eligibility rules apply
Midwife sharing	No cap listed	$7,000 cap
Newborn care	30 days under mother’s unit	First hospital visit only; rest = new IUA
What’s excluded	Unwed pregnancy, IVF, genetic testing, doulas, pumps, etc.	Similar exclusions (plus genetic testing, postpartum counseling)

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Summary: Which One Fits Your Situation?

Choose CHM (Gold + CHM Plus) if you:

• Can meet the marriage at conception and 300-day membership rules.
• Want faith-based guidelines and nurse support during pregnancy.
• Consider adding CHM Plus before conception for extra protection beyond $125K.

Choose Zion HealthShare if you:

• Prefer straightforward cost-sharing (pay maternity IUA, then share).
• Want more flexibility on family structure and timing.
• Want the option for direct provider payment or faster processing.

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Turnaround Time for Paying Medical Bills

Health shares work differently than insurance. Instead of direct billing, you often pay up front or request reimbursement. That makes timing a big deal—especially when providers are expecting payment or offering discounts for prepayment.

Here’s how CHM and Zion HealthShare handle bill submission, processing, and payment timelines.

Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM)

How Long It Takes

• CHM says most medical bills are shared within 60–75 days after they receive all required documents.
• Their provider resources suggest an estimated timeline of 50–70 days.

Prepayment for Maternity

• Around the 30th week of pregnancy, CHM begins processing prepayment agreements for delivery.
• They advise members to notify providers that payment will be coming from CHM around this time.

Submission Deadlines

• You must submit bills within 6 months of the date of service.
• CHM recommends asking providers to bill you, and to request payment plans if necessary while you wait for sharing.

Who Gets Paid?

• CHM usually reimburses you, the member, who then pays the provider.
• If a significant discount depends on advance payment, CHM may be able to prepay—but this isn’t the default process.

Bottom line: You’ll usually pay first and wait about 2 months for reimbursement.

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Zion HealthShare

How Long It Takes

• Zion HealthShare says most eligible sharing requests are shared within 2–5 weeks, provided all required documents are submitted.
• In urgent or well-documented cases, Zion HealthShare can process sharing in as little as 5 business days.

Pre-Payment Option

• Medical Advocacy Team needs an itemized estimate before service for elective procedures (e.g., scheduled surgery).
• Zion HealthShare’s Medical Advocacy team can prepay your provider directly using virtual card or ACH transfer.
• This helps you avoid large upfront costs—especially helpful for surgeries, maternity, or high-dollar emergencies.

Submission + IUA Deadline

• Each sharing request and each individual bill must be submitted within 6 months of service.
• You must also pay your IUA within 6 months for sharing to proceed.

Who Gets Paid?

• Zion HealthShare can either:
  • Pay the provider directly, or
  • Reimburse you, depending on what’s needed.

Zion HealthShare’s fast turnaround and option for provider pre-payment can prevent collections, preserve provider relationships, and reduce stress during a crisis.

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Real-World Comparison

Feature	CHM	Zion HealthShare
Typical processing time	50–75 days	5 days to 5 weeks
Health Share pay provider directly?	Sometimes, with pre-approval	Yes, routinely
Reimbursement method	Usually to member	Member or provider
Submission deadline	6 months from service	6 months from service + IUA must be paid within 6 months
Ideal for…	Members comfortable with waiting and handling reimbursements	Members who need speed, prepayment, or provider-direct options

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Summary

• CHM: Expect to pay out of pocket first, then wait about 2 months for reimbursement. May work well if you can arrange payment plans or are okay fronting the bill.
• Zion HealthShare: Offers faster processing and direct-to-provider payment, which can be a game-changer in emergencies, surgeries, or maternity care.

Christian Healthcare Ministries vs. Zion HealthShare — Which one should you join?

Both CHM and Zion HealthShare offer a way to lower your healthcare costs by joining a community that shares in large medical expenses. But they’re built on very different philosophies—and the right fit depends on your values, priorities, and health needs.

CHM is faith-based and follows strict evangelical Christian guidelines.
Zion HealthShare is more inclusive, focused on lifestyle and health-conscious living.

So which one is right for you?

• Want a faith-driven, spiritually aligned community? → Choose CHM
• Prefer speed, flexibility, and modern care options? → Choose Zion HealthShare

Either way, you’re taking a smart step toward more control and transparency in your healthcare.

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Ready to Take the Next Step?

If CHM feels right for your faith and lifestyle:
? Visit Christian Healthcare Ministries

If you’re ready to join Zion HealthShare—the option I personally chose for my family:
? Join Zion HealthShare

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Final Thoughts

CHM and Zion HealthShare are both legitimate alternatives to traditional insurance—but they serve different types of members.

The best choice depends on your:

• Lifestyle and beliefs
• Budget and risk tolerance
• Future needs like maternity or chronic care
• Comfort with bill submission and processing timelines

You’ve seen the details. You’ve done your research. Now it’s time to take action and choose the health share that fits your life best.

Sources:

Christian Healthcare Ministries Programs

2025 CHM Member Guidelines

Zion HealthShare Direct Membership Pricing

2025 Zion HealthShare Member Guidelines

Health shares are not insurance and do not offer insurance coverage. Membership in a health share does not guarantee the payment or reimbursement of medical expenses. Each organization operates under its own membership guidelines, which determine what expenses may be eligible for sharing. This publication is for informational purposes only and is not provided by an insurance company. For state-specific notices and full program details, please visit the respective health share’s official website.