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⭐ Top Health Shares in 2026 (Quick Summary)
Here are the three strongest options based on transparency, cost, member feedback, and stability:
- Zion HealthShare – Best overall & best secular option
- Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM) – Best Christian option
- United Refuah – Best for the Jewish community
Below is a simple comparison table you can scan quickly.
Quick Comparison: Best Health Shares in 2026
| Health Share | Faith-Based? | Monthly Cost | Maternity Benefits | Pre-Existing Conditions | Sharing Limits | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zion HealthShare | No | $111–$856 | Shared after 6 months | Shareable after 12 months (tier-based) | No caps on major medical needs (limits apply to routine/ preventive) | Best Overall, Best Secular Option |
| CHM (Christian Healthcare Ministries) | Yes – Christian | $98–$861 | Not shared for unwed women | Limited sharing on Gold tier via CHM Plus | $125k per illness (unlimited with CHM Plus) | Practicing Christians |
| United Refuah | Yes – Jewish | $199–$499+ | Not shared for unwed women; shared after 10 months | Shareable with pre-approval; full sharing after 4 years | $1M per incident; $25k total limit first 60 days | Jewish community |
What Is a Health Share?
A health share is a community of people who agree to help each other with medical expenses. Members contribute a set amount each month, and the program uses those contributions to assist with eligible medical needs.
Important things to know:
- A health share is not insurance
- Members follow a set of guidelines that explain what is shareable
- Monthly contributions are often much lower than insurance premiums
- Some programs have faith requirements, while others do not
- Most health shares focus on major medical needs, not routine care
Health shares appeal to people who want affordable healthcare without traditional insurance restrictions.
How Health Shares Work
While each program has its own process, most follow the same basic structure:
- You choose a membership level (similar to choosing a plan).
- You pay a monthly contribution.
- When you have a medical need, you submit the bill.
- The health share determines if the need meets eligibility guidelines.
- If it does, the community shares in the cost.
This system works best for people who:
- Are generally healthy
- Want lower monthly costs
- Prefer flexibility in choosing providers
- Are comfortable with guidelines instead of insurance contracts
Most Popular Health Share Programs in 2026
Let’s look at the top choices and what makes them stand out.
1. Zion HealthShare (Best Overall)
Zion HealthShare is one of the most widely recommended health shares in 2026, especially for families and self-employed individuals.
⭐ Why Zion HealthShare Stands Out
- No annual or lifetime caps on eligible major medical needs
- Fast bill sharing and clear communication
- Simple guidelines (easy to understand and follow)
- Open to all faiths
- Choose any doctor — no networks
- Great maternity sharing after 6 months
- DPC-friendly membership option that lowers costs for people using Direct Primary Care
- Strong member feedback across multiple online communities
Zion HealthShare has grown rapidly and now has 50,000+ members, largely because of how consistently they take care of members and how quickly they process medical needs.
⭐ Real Member Experiences
Many members report fast processing, clear expectations, and caring support — especially during major medical events. Members frequently talk about how relieved they were to get help when they needed it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“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.
2. Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM)
CHM is one of the oldest and largest faith-based health shares. They’ve been around for 40+ years and have shared billions in medical expenses.
⭐ Why CHM Stands Out
- Strong reputation and long history
- Large Christian member community
- Clear tier-based pricing
- Optional unlimited sharing through CHM Plus
- Pre-existing conditions eligible for sharing on the Gold tier
⚠️ Things to Consider
- Preventive care is not shared
- Maternity is not shared for unwed women
- Each tier shares different items
- No provider network but bills are reimbursed, not paid directly
- Unlimited sharing is ONLY available on Gold Plan and CHM Plus
CHM is a great fit for people who want a Christian-only program with predictable pricing and a long track record.
3. United Refuah (Best for Jewish Families)
United Refuah is the only Jewish health share program in the United States. It’s a close-knit community with excellent member reviews.
⭐ Why United Refuah Stands Out
- Very high Google reviews (the highest of ANY Health Share)
- Strong community feel
- Wellness visits included
- Affordable monthly contributions
⚠️ Things to Consider
- There is a $1 million sharing limit per incident
- The first 60 days have a $25,000 total cap
- Membership requires adherence to Jewish faith and lifestyle standards
United Refuah is a great choice for Jewish families, as long as the per-incident cap fits your comfort level.
Benefits of Joining a Health Share
Here are the biggest reasons people choose a health share:
✔ Lower monthly costs
Most health shares cost much less than traditional insurance.
✔ Freedom to choose your own doctor
Most health shares allow members to see any provider.
✔ Community support
Members often talk about the comfort of knowing others are directly helping with medical needs.
✔ Some programs offer holistic or alternative care
Options vary, but some health shares allow treatments insurance wouldn’t pay for.
✔ Small business friendly
Many health shares offer group options or allow employers to help pay monthly contributions.
Who Should Consider a Health Share?
A health share might be a good fit if you are:
- Self-employed
- A small business owner
- Paying for your own healthcare
- Generally healthy
- Interested in lower monthly healthcare costs
- Comfortable being a self-pay patient
- Looking for a community-based healthcare model
How to Choose the Best Health Share for 2026
When comparing programs, look at:
✔ Monthly cost
Choose a contribution level that fits your budget.
✔ Sharing limits (caps)
Zion HealthShare has no caps, CHM has caps unless you add CHM Plus, and United Refuah has a $1M per-incident cap.
✔ Maternity guidelines
These vary widely and are important if you’re planning to grow your family. Any wait times? Any restrictions?
✔ Pre-existing condition rules
Each program handles these differently.
✔ Faith requirements?
Some health shares are faith-based; Zion HealthShare is not.
⭐ My Top Pick: Zion HealthShare
After reviewing dozens of programs, Zion HealthShare was the best fit for my family.
We joined in 2021 and every eligible need we’ve submitted has been taken care of exactly as their guidelines described. The combination of no caps, fast processing, and strong member feedback made the decision easy.
You can read real member stories and get a quick quote below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best health share in 2026?
The best health share in 2026 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 shares worth it?
Health shares 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 health share 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 health share handles maternity, preventive care, and pre-existing conditions. In 2026, Zion HealthShare is one of the top-rated choices for families due to its flexible membership options and strong member support.
All Health Shares Mentioned in My Video and Blog Post:
Zion HealthShare
Get a Quote: https://healthshare101.com/quote
Member Guidelines: https://healthshare101.com/ZHSGuidelines
Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM)
Get a Quote: https://chministries.org/programs/
Member Guidelines: https://healthshare101.com/CHMGuidelines
United Refuah HealthShare
Get a Quote: https://unitedrefuahhs.org/ (scroll down the homepage to see quotes)
Member Guidelines: https://unitedrefuahhs.org/sharing-guidelines/
Choosing a health share is a personal decision. Taking time to read the guidelines, compare costs, and understand how each program works is the best way to find a good fit for your family.
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.
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