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As healthcare costs continue to rise, Zion HealthShare offers a compelling alternative to traditional insurance. In fact, a leader in the medical cost-sharing industry, Zion HealthShare provides an innovative solution for individuals and families seeking to manage their medical needs without the constraints of a health insurance company. Its cost-sharing community model aims to alleviate the financial burden of medical bills while fostering a sense of community support among members.
Unlike traditional health insurance, Zion HealthShare operates as a non-profit medical cost-sharing community, making it an ideal choice for those looking for a more flexible, affordable health care option. With a focus on principles of membership like personal responsibility and care coordination, Zion HealthShare stands out as a modern solution to age-old healthcare challenges.
Overview of the Cost-Sharing Community
Zion HealthShare operates as a non-profit medical cost-sharing community. It helps individuals, families, and businesses manage healthcare expenses more effectively. Members make monthly contributions and share in one another’s larger medical needs.
This approach keeps costs more affordable, removes the profit-driven middleman, and builds a sense of community. Members can also use helpful features like pharmacy discounts, preventive sharing, and care coordination services.
Another important point: there are no provider networks. You’re free to choose the doctors and hospitals you trust, whether locally or across the country. For those using Direct Primary Care (DPC), Zion HealthShare also offers options that pair seamlessly with your DPC membership.
Membership Options and Guidelines
Types of Membership
Direct Membership (for individuals & families):
- Includes sharing for unexpected medical needs
- Preventative care included
- Pharmacy discounts included
- 24/7 telemedicine included
Essential Membership (for employers, organizations & DPC practices):
- Employer contribution is not required, but employers can choose to contribute if they’d like!
- Supports employees or patients with unexpected medical needs
- Employers can add preventative care, pharmacy discounts, and 24/7 telemedicine for an additional cost.
- There is a minimum of 2 memberships required (e.g., business owner + 1 employee)
Principles of Membership and Member Guidelines
Zion HealthShare builds on the idea that a community of health-conscious, ethical people can best support one another by directly sharing healthcare costs. To keep this community strong, members commit to principles that emphasize integrity, responsibility, and mutual care.
What Members Commit To:
- Community & Integrity – Members act with honesty and integrity. If a member falsifies medical records, submits false sharing requests, or abuses the trust of the community, Zion HealthShare may revoke their membership.
- Understanding the Program – Members acknowledge that Zion HealthShare is not insurance, but a benevolent cost-sharing community. While it cannot guarantee payment of every medical expense, it operates on principles of trust and shared responsibility.
- Healthy Lifestyle – Members agree to practice good health habits, abstain from illegal drugs, avoid excessive alcohol use, and understand that tobacco use adds $50 to the monthly household contribution.
- Family & Respect –Members care for their families, treat others with dignity, and reject all forms of abuse.
- Dispute Resolution – If a conflict arises, members agree to first seek mediation and, if needed, binding arbitration.
? Zion HealthShare Member Guidelines
By following these guidelines, members help ensure the sustainability of the program while fostering a community of fairness, accountability, and mutual support. This cooperative spirit is what makes Zion HealthShare a reliable alternative to traditional health insurance.
Key Features of Zion HealthShare
Preventive Sharing
With a Zion HealthShare Direct Membership (or as an add-on to the Essential Membership), certain preventive care are eligible for sharing. Preventive sharing is not subject to the IUA, making it a valuable feature for members who want proactive care.
Preventive services available for sharing include:
- Annual Provider Visit – Starting at membership, once every 12 months, up to $175 (office visit only).
- Cervical cancer screenings when done during the visit.
- Prostate cancer blood test (PSA) for men over 50, if ordered during the visit.
- Colorectal Cancer Screenings
- Colonoscopy every 10 years starting at age 45 (after 6 months of membership), up to $5,000.
- Home tests (FIT, gFOBT yearly; sDNA-FIT every 3 years) starting at age 45, up to $500.
- Mammograms
- Once per year beginning at age 40 (after 6 months of membership), up to $600 (includes 2D/3D mammogram and provider evaluation).
- An ultrasound may be eligible for sharing if ordered after an inconclusive mammogram, included in the $600 limit.
- Youth Immunizations – Available up to age 18 (after 6 months of membership, unless connected to an eligible maternity request). Zion HealthShare may share up to the CDC price list for required immunizations (HPV, MMR, DTaP, Hep A & B, Polio, Varicella, and more).
- Well-Child Visits – Available after 6 months of membership (or from birth if connected to an eligible maternity request). Limited to $175 per visit at standard ages (birth, 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 24, 30, and 36 months).
Good to Know:
- Preventive sharing begins immediately for some services and after 6 months for others.
- ER visits don’t count as preventive sharing
- Members can also use the complimentary Zion HealthShare Medical Advocacy service to find affordable providers.
Maternity Sharing Requests
Zion HealthShare has specific guidelines for maternity sharing to help members plan for pregnancy and delivery.
Initial Unshareable Amount (IUA):
- $1,000 Household IUA → $2,500 Maternity IUA
- $2,500 Household IUA → $2,500 Maternity IUA
- $5,000 Household IUA → $5,000 Maternity IUA
Eligibility & Waiting Period:
- Conception must occur after 6 months of continuous membership (confirmed by medical records).
- Members must submit requests within 6 months of the first date of service.
- Members must submit bills within 6 months of service.
- Exception: memberships started before April 1, 2025, and employer group memberships are not subject to the 6-month waiting period.
Expenses Eligible for Sharing:
- Prenatal: routine office visits, standard labs, 3 ultrasounds, certain immunizations, fetal non-stress test, STI screenings.
- Delivery: hospital or home birth, labor/delivery, cesarean, multiple births, anesthesiologist, birthing centers, maternal fetal specialist consultations, and complications for the mother.
- Postnatal: 6-week postpartum checkup, C-section 2-week visit, one pediatrician visit in hospital (if newborn added to membership within 30 days).
- Midwives: eligible up to $7,000.
- Home births: generally shareable, but standard maternity IUA applies if complications require hospital transfer.
Not Eligible for Sharing:
- 3D/4D ultrasounds, most immunizations (like flu shots), non-prescription supplements, doulas, birthing tubs, placenta encapsulation, circumcision, breast pumps, lactation consultants, genetic testing, and postpartum counseling.
Special Notes:
- Newborn expenses are a separate sharing request with their own IUA (including complications or congenital conditions).
- Premature birth services beyond standard maternity care require a new request.
- Fertility treatments (IVF) are not eligible. Conception begins at embryo implantation for sharing purposes.
- Zion HealthShare treats gestational diabetes as a pregnancy complication. Members can share medications under prescription guidelines, but they cannot share nutritionist services or supplies
Pre-Membership Conditions
To keep monthly contributions affordable, there are limits on sharing for conditions that existed before someone joined. We call these pre-membership medical conditions.
What counts as a pre-membership medical condition? Any condition where, in the 24 months before joining, a person has:
- Been examined or diagnosed
- Taken medication
- Had symptoms
- Received treatment
- Or has a personal history or increased risk (including conditions related to pregnancy)
A condition is not considered pre-membership if it was fully cured and had no treatment or symptoms for at least 24 months before joining.
Phase-in period for sharing pre-membership conditions:
- Year 1: $0 (waiting period)
- Year 2: Up to $25,000 per need
- Year 3: Up to $50,000 per need
- Year 4+: Up to $125,000 per need, per 12 months
Exceptions: High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes (types 1 & 2) are not treated as pre-membership conditions if:
- The person was not hospitalized for the condition in the 12 months before joining, and
- The condition is managed through medication or diet.
Emergency Visits
Emergency room (ER) visits are generally eligible for sharing.
- First ER visit for a condition: Treated like a normal sharing request.
- Additional ER visits for the same condition: Member pays an extra $500 responsibility, on top of their Initial Unshareable Amount (IUA).
For non-emergencies, members are encouraged to use other care options such as doctor visits, telemedicine, urgent care clinics, or similar services. Choosing the right level of care helps reduce unnecessary ER visits and lowers costs for the entire community.
End of Life Assistance
If a member passes away after at least one year of uninterrupted membership, the Zion HealthShare community may provide $10,000 in financial assistance to the surviving family.
Key Details:
- A copy of the death certificate must be submitted within 60 days.
- Membership does not need to remain active for the family to receive assistance.
- Any outstanding eligible medical expenses must be submitted within 90 days of the member’s passing for review. Expenses submitted after 90 days will not be eligible.
Medical Advocacy Team
Zion HealthShare members have access to their Medical Advocacy Team. This service makes handling large medical bills much easier.
How it works:
- Members can request help through the portal or by calling the advocacy line.
- The team helps locate fair-cost providers and can coordinate pre-payment for eligible services.
- Instead of paying thousands upfront, Zion HealthShare may issue a virtual credit card or pay your provider directly.
Why it matters:
- Avoid large upfront costs for eligible expenses (after your IUA is met)
- Coordinate payment with your current provider or get connected to fair-cost providers
- Helps keep overall costs lower for the whole community
For someone new to health shares, this feature can provide peace of mind—especially if you’ve ever worried about being asked to pay a big bill before receiving care.
Is Zion HealthShare Right for Your Healthcare Needs?
If you’re looking for a more affordable, flexible alternative to traditional health insurance, you may want to consider Zion HealthShare. Members appreciate the community-based approach, the freedom to choose their own doctors (no network restrictions), and the focus on sharing major medical needs without the frustrations of dealing with an insurance company.
If you’re self-employed, supporting a family, or just looking for a simpler way to handle healthcare expenses, Zion HealthShare gives you the flexibility to choose your own providers and be part of a community that shares in life’s unexpected medical needs.
You can visit the Zion HealthShare website and see hot it could work for you.
Zion HealthShare is not an insurance company. Neither this publication nor membership in Zion HealthShare are offered by an insurance company. Visit ZionHealthShare.org to view your state specific notice.
Write your own Zion HealthShare Review!
Are you a current or former member of Zion HealthShare? If you have any experience with Zion HealthShare, please write a review!
Reading other people’s Health Share experiences is a huge when trying to make a decision about which Health Share to join.
In fact, over 90% of people will read online reviews before they buy a product or service! Please consider writing a Zion HealthShare review!
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Poor communication, makeup rules as they go
The only real positive I can state is that they are one of the less expensive plans and they do allow a discount if you have a direct primary care physician.
I had unexpected pelvic floor pain during my time with Zion that proved very difficult to diagnose in regards to root cause. I met my IUA of $5,000 mostly undergoing conservative therapeutic type treatments and Zion did cover some pelvic floor PT therapy sessions after I met my IUA but they fought me every step of the way regarding further diagnostic tests and treatments my direct primary care doctor was recommending when I was still in pain. I was told by the head adjudicator without a diagnostic test, there would be no further approval for sharing so I took the chance and had a MRI, which revealed a torn hip labrum. When I finally found out I had a torn labrum in my hip, I was told the expenses related to that would be shareable but I would be responsible for a new IUA. I had a client advocate who would help with my case but it seemed they dissolved that position or disallowed me to continue with that person. Towards the end of this fiasco after being told my initial sharing need could not be considered for further sharing, I was put on speakerphone with a manager and the head of the adjudication department, and neither had acceptable answers as to why I would be required to meet an additional IUA when it was for the exact same need I was initially seeking relief from. Further, they had sent an email stating up to that point, bills I had already turned in would be shareable but anything beyond that particular date would be subject to a new IUA, so I at least wanted reimbursement as the email promised for everything up to that point, but the two women kept putting me on mute to discuss between themselves and then came back, and told me that the email was confusing but the window was three months prior. It was a very uncomfortable, stilted conversation with them placing me on hold several times and really not being able to answer any of my probing questions regarding my seeking help with the same exact initial pain I had communicated for which I had already met my IUA. Since they are technically not insurance and there’s no oversight, I really had no recourse, and felt very helpless.
Wish I would have switched to Zion sooner! 10 out of 10!!
Just wanted to give a review since I scoured this site before deciding to switch from standard health insurance to Zion Health Share. I found all of the reviews here so helpful.
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 of that and sent me a prepaid credit card to pay off the balance within a few minutes of submitting it.
The whole process is just wild/amazing after struggling with the horrible health insurance world. The lady I worked with at Zion couldn’t have been any nicer. I was so scared to make the jump to a health share and also nervous with this accident/hospital bill since I had no experience with them before. I can say I definitely recommend!
Hands down the BEST experience!
Hands down the BEST experience! Customer service is amazing! They are so kind, helpful, and easy to communicate with. Every person I’ve spoken to there has been the NICEST. They covered my maternity OB visits and labor and delivery. There were zero surprises or bumps in the road. My husband and I joined knowing we might want to start a family and I’m so happy we did. They offer an amazing and very affordable maternity package. I HIGHLY recommend Zion! They even sent the most beautiful flowers to our home as a congratulations after our son was born! Truly just above and beyond! Because it’s health share and not insurance, just be sure to join BEFORE you’re pregnant so it’s a need that can be shared. This is a great option if you’re healthy and know you’d like to start a family soon 🙂
Deceiving shared amounts and dishonest coverage
Their IUA is deceiving compared to other providers, it’s actually a “deductible” that you have to pay up to 3 times a year, not once, that’s huge. They hide this from you until you sign up.
The icing on the cake is that they won’t cover a medical expense that occured while the member was covered by Zion. They bailed on paying anything since the bill arrived “too late”. So of note, if you have coverage with them when you go the doctor, and then cancel your membership two months later, they will say that they can’t pay the bill for you since you’re not a member anymore, even though it occured months before while you were a paying member of their service. If you already have coverage with them, wait until all your bills are settled before cancelling, because Zion will leave you holding the bag.
Avoid this group at all costs.
Response from Health Share 101
Hi Ian,
I am sorry you had a bad experience. I think it’s important to note that in Zion HealthShare’s member guidelines, they state that the IUA needs to be paid first before the Health Share will share in any medical expenses.
Per the member guidelines: “Zion HealthShare provides a safeguard for households that experience more than three shareable needs in a 12-month period. After the member has paid three IUAs in that period, any additional shareable expenses of $500 or more will be shared with no IUA responsibility.”
All needs requests need to be handled while you are still a member of the Health Share community.
Hope this helps,
Holly
HealthShare101.com
Everything is a preexisting condition
Concept is great but when you need it, everything seems to be a pre-existing condition. Need, knee surgery? You have to wait after the first year because almost everything builds up over time and probably started without you knowing. Maybe if you get an accident this won’t be an issue.
Zion Health pays QUICKLY!
I have been with Zion Health for almost a year and just recently had my first need with them. I had a wellness visit for my son, and Zion Health said they would pay for it on the same day as his appointment. When I spoke to the front desk at the pediatrician’s office, they said they can’t/won’t call anyone but Insurance, so they said I had to pay for it. I took care of the bill and sent the itemized bill to Zion Health. Within 2 1/2 weeks (13 business days), I had a reimbursement check in my mailbox from Zion Health!
It was easy to submit the bill online, and I got my money back quickly. I highly recommend Zion Health to anyone who wants to go with a health share that pays for medical bills (or reimburses you) quickly.
Simple & Easy
I’ve been a Zion Health member for over a year now and have loved every minute of it. Not only am I saving a ton of money monthly/annual. But their customer service is hands down the best I’ve ever come across. You always get a live person who speaks clearly and Isn’t guessing what the answer could be. If they don’t know the answer they’ll make sure they find it. I personally endorse Zion Health to anyone I know. It’s been an amazing experience and I plan on being a Zion Health member for life!
Zion HealthShare is not an insurance company. Neither this publication nor membership in Zion HealthShare are offered by an insurance company. Visit ZionHealthShare.org to view your state specific notice.
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.
