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Health SharingReport

Samaritan Ministries membership

Christian ministry in which members send shares to other members with published needs. A different administrative shape from pooled-ministry models. Not insurance.

Health sharing is not insurance. Programs are not legally required to pay medical expenses and do not have to provide Affordable Care Act protections. NAIC consumer guidance.

Consumer brand
Samaritan Ministries
Underlying sharing organization
Samaritan Ministries International
Administrator
Samaritan Ministries International
Underlying program group
samaritan-core
Editorial score
76 (2026.2)
Reviewed
2026-09-01
Status
Enrolling
State exclusions
No verified exclusion list

Guideline facts

Monthly share
Household-tier monthly shares assigned to published needs. Confirm the current Samaritan schedule — we do not freeze a monthly number.
Member responsibility
Classic $1,000 per need; Basic $2,000 per need plus 10% co-share capped at $2,500 (August 2025 guidelines).
Pre-existing
Shareable only if the condition appears cured and 12 months have passed without symptoms, treatment, or medication. Genetic, hereditary, related-cancer, and heart conditions require five years.
Waiting periods
New-member sharing limits apply. Pre-existing clocks are separate from maternity.
Maternity
Shareable after the IUA on a multi-person membership. Basic maternity maximum $236,500; Classic follows the per-need cap. Confirm the current Section IX.
Limits
Classic $250,000 per non-maternity need; Basic $247,500. Save to Share is optional for amounts above $250,000 (required in Massachusetts). No lifetime household maximum.
Cancellation
Ministry membership rules — not an insurance cancellation statute. Shares to Samaritan are described as non-refundable after 30 days.