As the growing health sharing community begins to draw more attention, more and more potential members are looking for secular options. While many HealthShare shoppers prefer a faith-focused community, others are searching for a community founded on shared principles rather than religious beliefs.
HealthShares typically handle significant, unexpected health expenses and are not designed to address routine medical issues like preventive care. However, most HealthShares realize that this is an area of concern for many members.
In this installment of HealthShare Challenge, two secular HealthShares, Zion HealthShare and Sedera, are compared in the preventive care category. These are the two main companies that someone interested in a non-religious HealthShare would likely consider.
As relatively young HealthShares, both aim to make their communities available to as diverse a group as possible. But how do they stack up against each other, particularly when it comes to routine and preventive care?
Sedera and preventive care
Sedera explicitly states that well care is not shareable but does have a few exceptions. They also explain that many preventive care items are less expensive than member IUAs, making sharing for these services irrelevant. For example, if a member’s IUA is $500 and their well visit is $250, sharing is not an option.
Sedera shares mammograms or colonoscopy screenings for members above a certain age. A “screening” means that the scan is a routine procedure without any specific reason other than reaching a certain age. If the screening finds something, the member is not responsible for the IUA for that service, even though it will be considered a diagnostic, rather than a screening, procedure at that point.
For those at risk for breast cancer, Sedera may share a mammogram after the IUA is met. Members at a particularly high risk for breast cancer may be eligible to share a preventive mastectomy at 75%.
Sedera also includes sharing for youth immunizations up to age 18, as recommended by the CDC. For all the mentioned preventive services, there is no wait period stated in their guidelines.
Zion HealthShare and preventive care
Zion HealthShare does not generally share in routine or maintenance services. However, they do offer some preventive sharing, and they continue to expand their preventive care offerings.
Zion HealthShare shares mammogram and colonoscopy screenings, with colonoscopy screening services shareable up to $5,000 and mammograms shareable yearly after age 40 up to $600. Both services are shareable after a six-month waiting period. Zion HealthShare also shares youth immunizations as recommended by the CDC up to age 18.
The standout feature for Zion HealthShare is their provider visit offering. Zion HealthShare shares one annual provider visit for members to use at their discretion (e.g., checkup, dentist visit, specialist visit). This provider visit is available immediately. Additionally, they share in well-child visits up to age three.
The best HeathShare for preventive care is…
This comparison is quite competitive, with both companies offering similar options. Yet, when comparing these two HealthShares in this area, Zion HealthShare has an edge over Sedera, primarily due to the provider visits they include. By offering an annual provider visit, Zion HealthShare grants members access to one of the primary services most healthcare consumers are looking for. Furthermore, routine provider visits may help detect serious issues before they escalate.
Make an educated choice
For those seeking a HealthShare more focused on community and less on religious principles, Sedera and Zion HealthShare are the frontrunners. This preventive care comparison should help evaluate the differences between the two main competitors in this HealthShare niche.
Thorough research is essential to make an educated choice when shopping for a HealthShare. To facilitate this research, a comparison chart of the preventive care offerings from Zion HealthShare and Sedera is available for reference.
