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Christian health sharing Medicare supplements help seniors cover the out-of-pocket costs that Medicare does not pay
This page covers the three main faith-based Medicare supplement sharing programs currently operating. As while Medicare covers a large portion of medical costs for people 65 and older, but it does not cover everything. Parts A and B both carry deductibles and coinsurance obligations, and those costs can add up meaningfully for people who use their coverage regularly. Most Medicare beneficiaries address this gap through either a Medigap plan — a private supplemental insurance policy — or a Medicare Advantage plan.
For Christians who want a faith-based approach to that same gap, several health care sharing ministries offer programs specifically designed to work alongside Medicare. These programs function as the sharing community's response to what Medicare leaves unpaid: after Medicare processes a claim and pays its share, the member submits the remaining eligible costs to the ministry for sharing by other members. For a full explanation of what health care sharing ministries are, how they differ from insurance, and the consumer protections that do and do not apply, see the Christian health insurance sharing guide.
- NOTE: The programs on this page are not the same as Medicare Supplement insurance (Medigap - website: https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/medigap) and the plans below are not regulated by state insurance departments. They do not guarantee payment of your medical bills. If a sharing community does not pay a bill, you remain responsible for that cost. Review each ministry's guidelines in full before enrolling and consider speaking with a licensed Medicare counselor before making a decision. Free Medicare counseling is available through your state's SHIP program.
How these programs differ from Medigap
The comparison to Medigap is worth making directly because these programs are often described as Medigap alternatives.
A Medigap plan is a licensed insurance product regulated by the state. The insurer is legally required to pay covered claims. If it does not, the state insurance department has authority to intervene, and state guarantee funds can cover claims if the insurer becomes insolvent. Medigap premiums are higher than what most HCSM programs charge, but the coverage is legally guaranteed.
A faith-based Medicare supplement sharing program is none of those things. Sharing is voluntary. If a member's bill is not eligible under the ministry's guidelines, it is not shared. If the ministry's finances deteriorate or the ministry closes, there is no legal recourse and no guarantee fund. Members remain responsible for their own unpaid medical bills regardless of what the ministry does or does not contribute.
That said, for seniors who understand this distinction and whose faith makes community membership meaningful, these programs have provided consistent supplemental coverage for many members over many years.
Christian Healthcare Ministries SeniorShare
Christian Healthcare Ministries (website: https://chministries.org/) is the longest-running health care sharing ministry in the United States. Its SeniorShare program is designed for members who are enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B or in a Medicare Advantage plan.
Under SeniorShare, members must maintain Medicare coverage — the program shares costs that Medicare does not fully pay, including deductibles and coinsurance, rather than replacing Medicare. Members choosing Gold program status receive sharing for medical costs unpaid by Medicare up to $125,000 per illness, including inpatient and outpatient care, medical testing, physical therapy, and home health visits. An optional Brothers Keeper add-on is available for an additional monthly amount and eliminates the per-illness sharing limit, providing a measure of protection against catastrophic medical costs.
CHM notes that members who are eligible for Medicare but have not obtained it will have their sharing reduced significantly. The program is designed to work alongside Medicare, not instead of it.
There is no specific open enrollment period — members can enroll at any time. Visit chministries.org for current monthly contribution amounts, which change over time and are not published here.
Medi-Share 65+
Medi-Share (website: https://www.medishare.com/) is administered by Christian Care Ministry and has operated since 1993. Its Medi-Share 65+ program is designed for members age 65 and older who are enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B.
Medi-Share 65+ works as a secondary program alongside Original Medicare — it does not work with Medicare Advantage. After Medicare pays its share of an eligible medical expense, members can submit the remaining balance to Medi-Share for sharing by the community. Members can see any provider who accepts Medicare, as there is no separate provider network requirement under this program.
Membership requires agreement to a statement of faith and lifestyle standards consistent with Christian values, including abstention from tobacco and illegal substances and limitations on alcohol use. A $500 annual household portion (comparable to an annual deductible) applies before sharing begins.
Medi-Share 65+ pricing is structured by age range, with lower monthly contributions for members under 75 and higher contributions for those 75 and older. For current pricing, visit https://www.medishare.com/programs/65.
Liberty HealthShare Liberty Assist
Liberty HealthShare (website: https://www.libertyhealthshare.org/) is a Canton, Ohio-based ministry established in 1995. Its Liberty Assist program serves members ages 65 to 84 who are enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B.
Liberty Assist is designed to share the costs that remain after Medicare pays — the deductibles and coinsurance that Medicare does not fully cover. The program shares 20% of eligible medical expenses, meaning it addresses the standard Medicare Part B coinsurance gap. Members can see any provider who accepts Medicare. No prenotification is required before receiving care.
Liberty HealthShare eliminated the annual unshared amount for Liberty Assist members effective in 2026, meaning sharing begins without a member first meeting a deductible-equivalent amount. Monthly contribution amounts vary by age and are listed on the ministry's website. Visit libertyhealthshare.org/liberty-assist for current information.
Note on age limit: Liberty Assist is available to members ages 65 through 84. Members who reach age 85 are no longer eligible for this program.
Note on history: Liberty HealthShare settled with the Ohio attorney general's office in 2021 following an investigation into the financial practices of its prior leadership. The ministry has since reorganized under new management. Potential members should review the BBB profile at bbb.org and the ministry's own transparency disclosures before joining.
Solidarity HealthShare senior discount
Solidarity HealthShare (website: https://solidarityhealthshare.org/) takes a different structural approach than the other programs on this page. Rather than offering a separate senior product, Solidarity allows members who turn 65 and enroll in Medicare to remain in their existing membership and receive a senior discount on their monthly contribution. Medicare pays first on covered expenses, and Solidarity shares secondary.
This matters for members who joined Solidarity before age 65 and want continuity rather than switching programs at Medicare enrollment. It also means Solidarity's broader coverage terms — including mental health sharing and prescription cost sharing — apply to senior members in the same way they apply to other members, subject to Medicare being primary. Solidarity has no upper age limit.
For current pricing and details on how the senior discount applies, visit solidarityhealthshare.org.
Impact Health Sharing senior membership
Impact Health Sharing (website: https://www.impacthealthsharing.com/), founded in 2020 and based in Davie, Florida, offers a dedicated senior membership for members 65 and older who are enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. Under the senior program, Medicare is the primary payer and Impact shares the eligible costs that remain after Medicare pays.
The senior membership has a lower annual Primary Responsibility Amount than Impact's standard working-age programs and has no pre-existing condition limitations for senior members — a meaningful distinction for people joining after 65 who may have ongoing health conditions. Members must also have Medicare Part D if they want prescription costs to be eligible for sharing.
Impact is one of the newer ministries in this space, founded in 2020, and has grown quickly. Potential members should review the membership guidelines carefully and check the BBB profile at bbb.org before enrolling. For current senior program details, visit impacthealthsharing.com.
What these programs generally do not cover
Faith-based Medicare supplement programs do not cover the same expenses that the underlying HCSMs exclude. This includes abortion, elective procedures the ministry considers non-medically necessary, and in most cases mental health care beyond certain limits. Care from providers who do not accept Medicare is typically not eligible for sharing. Each ministry's specific exclusions are listed in its membership guidelines, which should be read carefully before enrolling.
These programs also do not replace Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. Members who need drug coverage must enroll in a Part D plan separately. We also have more information on choosing a Medicare Part D drug plan — and what to do if you cannot afford the cost.
Free counseling before you decide
Every state has a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) that offers free, unbiased counseling to Medicare beneficiaries on their coverage options. SHIP counselors can explain how Medigap insurance compares to other options and help a person understand whether a faith-based sharing program makes sense given their specific health situation and financial circumstances. Contact information for each state's SHIP program is available at https://www.shiphelp.org/.
For Medicare beneficiaries who qualify based on income, the Extra Help program (also called the Low-Income Subsidy) substantially reduces Part D costs. Information is on the Medicare Extra Help page.
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