This Utah-based HealthShare was created in response to the often-exclusive nature of HealthShares. Although Zion Health was established in 2019, they already have more members than some other long-standing HealthShares. As a result, if you visit any HealthShare review sites in your search for a HealthShare, you will likely see Zion Health ranks near or at the top.
How does a Zion Health membership work?
Zion Health Share extends an open invitation to anyone who wants to belong to a community of people who prioritize their health. Zion Health considers itself affiliated with a Higher Power, but it does not require members to declare any particular religious beliefs. Though not bound by faith, Zion Health remains a group of like-minded members who desire to balance personal and community responsibility. Members agree that they can best assist one another’s medical expenses by being ethical and conscious about their own well-being.
Additionally, a few things make Zion Health unique compared to other HealthShares. The most notable is how straightforward the program structure is. Zion determines your monthly contribution by your age and your choice of one of three Initial Unsharable Amount (IUA) options. Although the IUA is applied per need, members never pay more than three IUAs in a rolling twelve-month period. All expenses related to a specific need remain 100 percent shareable until that member is symptom-free for twelve months. If you experience more than three needs in a twelve-month period, Zion shares any eligible bills over $500.
Zion Health Membership Types
Zion Health has two primary membership types: Direct and Essential. Direct is Zion Health’s signature membership, open to anyone who wants access to everything Zion Health has to offer. Direct membership monthly contributions are based simply on age and household size. Essential is designed for larger groups, like an organization providing benefits for its employees, and allows for custom-built memberships. Zion Health also offers the Essential membership to individuals who subscribe to a Direct Primary Care (DPC) provider. Individuals who wish to combine the everyday benefits of DPC membership with the big-picture benefits of HealthShare membership can benefit greatly from the customizable nature of the Zion Health Essential membership. Either membership choice joins members in a top-tier HealthShare community.
What about common health concerns?
Zion Health is mainly designed to assist members with unexpected or unpredictable medical bills; however, their program is also built to address common health concerns and pre-existing medical conditions. Direct memberships include an annual wellness visit that is immediately shareable, and Essential members may include this as one of their custom features. Additionally, for all memberships, sharing for pre-existing conditions is available under a phase-in program.
For pre-existing conditions, you wait for one year of membership before sharing any medical costs related to a pre-existing condition. After that, you may share limited amounts. For instance, the second year of membership you may share up to $25,000, the third year $50,000, and the fourth year $125,000. Many HealthShares simply will not share costs associated with pre-existing conditions.
The way Zion Health approaches preventive and pre-existing health concerns may be a critical deciding factor for prospective members.
Membership Requirements
- Agree to the Zion Health Principles of Membership
- Be under age 65
Key Considerations
- Members of all faiths accepted
- Quick need turn-around
- Tobacco users accepted, with an additional fee
- Initial waiting period for some sharing
Pros
- Work with any provider
- Telemedicine (Teladoc)
- Mental health resources (Lifeworks)
- Annual wellness visit available immediately
- No annual or lifetime sharing limits
- At least 90% of contributions used for member sharing
- Excellent member reviews
- Maternity sharing for single or unwed mothers
- Maternity need shared like any other need
- Grandchildren may participate with grandparents
- Medical Advocacy Service
- Additional Giving Program
- Alternative health treatments shareable
- Substance abuse treatment shareable (up to $3000)
- Generic prescriptions shareable (Rx Share)
- Prescription discounts (OptumRx)
- IUA discounts may be available for pre-arranged surgeries
- Access to Healthcare Bluebook
- Group/Employer programs available
- End-of-life assistance for members and dependents
- Colonoscopy, mammogram shareable after 6 months of membership
- Youth immunizations (up to age 16) shareable after 6 months of membership
Cons
- Adoption expenses not shareable
- Fertility not shareable
- Insulin-dependent Diabetes medications not shareable
- ADHD, ADHS, SPD not shareable
Ideal Candidates
- Want a simplified HealthShare experience
- Need assistance managing pre-existing conditions
- Do not want to be involved with a strictly religious HealthShare
- Believe in the concept of helping one another through healthcare cost-sharing
- Participate recreationally (not professionally) in sporting activities that may result in injury
Watch the Zion Health Introduction video:
Note: As of March 1, 2022, Zion Health is no longer accepting new members in WA.
