Does Shared Christen Health Cover Counseling?

No. Shared Christen Health plans do not cover mental health counseling. As of 2026, their policies exclude most outpatient therapy and prescription drugs beyond a short, limited period.

Health care sharing ministries (HCSMs) can be worth it for healthy people who want to lower monthly costs. Monthly “share” payments are often 30–50% below ACA-compliant plan premiums, and the annual unshared amount (similar to a deductible) is usually lower than a traditional deductible. Members typically pay 100% of routine preventive care out of pocket and may negotiate cash-pay discounts with providers. That said, HCSMs don’t guarantee payment, can deny sharing for pre-existing conditions, and may leave you high and dry during emergencies abroad.

Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM) is not insurance. It’s a health care sharing ministry: a voluntary, faith-based cooperative where members share one another’s eligible medical bills. CHM also expects regular church attendance and adherence to its membership guidelines—rules that go beyond just paying monthly shares.

For families with few medical needs, CHM can be a good option. Many members save money compared with ACA plans, especially after hitting the annual unshared amount. But here’s the catch: CHM won’t cover routine preventive care, most prescriptions, or mental health therapy. You’ll need to budget for those separately. Also, don’t expect quick claims processing—approvals can drag on for weeks, and there’s no guarantee you’ll get paid.

Dave Ramsey says Medi-Share isn’t insurance and isn’t regulated like one. On his website (as of 2026), he explains that Medi-Share pools members’ monthly “shares” to pay other members’ bills, but it lacks the legal protections of traditional insurance. Ramsey still recommends Medi-Share to callers who want a lower-cost, faith-aligned alternative—after they’ve stashed away a $1,000 emergency fund.

Medi-Share isn’t a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) for HSA purposes. Because it’s not insurance, the IRS doesn’t recognize it as an HDHP, so you can’t open a health savings account while enrolled. Your monthly share amount and annual unshared amount act like a premium and deductible, but they don’t qualify for HSA contributions as of 2026.

Cancel your Jericho Share membership in writing to JerichoShare@ichoice.org or by calling (866) 545-2955. Your cancellation email must include the primary member’s full name and member ID number. Only the primary member can submit the request, and cancellation takes effect 30 days after the association receives your notice.

Health sharing plans are cooperatives where members agree to share one another’s eligible medical costs. Each month you pay a share amount (like a premium) and an annual unshared amount (like a deductible). Once your bills exceed the unshared amount, the community may cover the rest—if they approve your request. These plans aren’t regulated as insurance and don’t guarantee payment, so buyer beware.

Consumer reports from 2024–2025 suggest ChristianPlans.com isn’t on the up-and-up. Multiple complaint boards describe harassing sales calls—sometimes dozens per day—after requesting a quote. The company isn’t listed on state insurance department approved provider lists, and its website doesn’t clearly explain cancellation rights. Honestly, this feels like a scam waiting to happen.

Yes. Dave Ramsey recommends term life insurance for most families. He advises buying 10–12 times your annual income in coverage and choosing a term length that covers the years your dependents rely on your income. Ramsey prefers level-premium term policies because they’re simple, affordable, and avoid the investment risks of whole-life products.

Cancel Medi-Share by phone, fax, email, or mail. Use the Medi-Share phone number 1-800-264-2562, fax 1-321-308-7779, email MemberCare@medi-share.org, or mail to P.O. Box 120099, West Melbourne, FL 32912-0099. Allow 30 days for processing; refunds of prepaid, unused shares aren’t guaranteed.

No. Jericho Share isn’t health insurance. It’s a faith-based health care sharing ministry where members voluntarily share one another’s eligible medical expenses. As a non-profit cooperative, it lacks the legal protections and guarantees of an insurer regulated by state departments of insurance.

Jericho Health Share is a faith-based medical cost-sharing community designed to help members share one another’s medical burdens. As of 2026, Jericho markets itself as “reimagined” cost sharing with simplified guidelines and a digital platform for submitting needs and sharing bills. Visit www.jerichoshare.com for current membership details and program rules.

No. Health sharing isn’t the same as health insurance. Insurance is a regulated product with guaranteed payment of covered claims; health sharing is a voluntary cooperative where members may or may not pay claims according to community guidelines. Health sharing plans can reject sharing requests, impose waiting periods, and lack the consumer protections built into insurance policies.

Health share plans are legal entities but aren’t legitimate substitutes for insurance. State insurance regulators consistently warn consumers that health sharing ministries aren’t insurance and don’t guarantee payment. As of 2026, every major health share ministry’s legal disclaimers include language such as, “This program should never be considered a substitute for an insurance policy.”

A cost-sharing insurance plan refers to the portion of covered expenses you pay out-of-pocket. This typically includes deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance, but excludes monthly premiums, balance bills from out-of-network providers, and charges for services the plan doesn’t cover. For ACA plans, the maximum out-of-pocket limit in 2026 is $9,100 for individuals and $18,200 for families.