Founded in 2019 and headquartered in St. George, Utah, Zion HealthShare is a healthcare cost sharing organization serving approximately 70,000 members. The organization was established to make health sharing available to individuals and families from a wider range of backgrounds, regardless of religious affiliation.
How does a Zion HealthShare membership work?
Zion HealthShare does not require members to declare any particular religious beliefs. However, members must follow the Principles of Membership and abide by the rules laid out in their Member Guidelines to participate in the medical cost sharing community.
Members make monthly contributions that help share eligible medical expenses among the community. Monthly contribution amounts are determined by the primary member’s age group, Initial Unshareable Amount (IUA), and household size. The IUA is the amount members pay toward an eligible medical need before community sharing begins. Zion HealthShare offers three IUA options: $1,250, $2,500, and $5,000. When a member has a medical need, they submit a sharing request, and eligible expenses beyond their IUA may be shared.
Although the IUA is applied per sharing request, household members are not responsible for more than three IUAs in a rolling twelve-month period. If three IUAs are paid within a twelve-month period, Zion may share any additional eligible costs exceeding $500, with no additional IUA required. Expenses associated with the same medical need remain eligible for sharing without a new IUA until that member has been symptom-free for at least twelve months.
Zion HealthShare Membership Types
Zion HealthShare offers two primary membership types: Direct and Essential Membership. Direct Membership is available to individuals and families who enroll through Zion HealthShare’s website. It includes access to preventive care, maternity sharing, prescription discounts, 24/7 telemedicine, and more.
Direct Membership Monthly Contributions:
|
IUA |
18–29 |
30–39 | 40–49 | 50–64 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,250 |
$246–$675 |
$292–$709 |
$285–$757 |
$359–$939 |
| $2,500 |
$172–$482 |
$216–$545 |
$226–$608 |
$304–$765 |
| $5,000 |
$124–$344 |
$185–$459 |
$198–$519 |
$217–$582 |
Essential Membership is a base option designed primarily for companies and organizations offering health sharing to their employees. It has lower monthly contribution amounts than Direct Membership. Some features included with Direct Membership are available as optional add-ons instead. Individuals who subscribe to a Direct Primary Care (DPC) provider can also enroll in Essential Membership, allowing them to combine their DPC membership with health sharing.
Essential Membership Monthly Contributions:
|
IUA |
18–29 |
30–49 | 50–64 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,250 |
$190–$573 |
$222–$584 |
$325–$817 |
| $2,500 |
$122–$410 |
$144–$422 |
$246–$602 |
| $5,000 |
$94–$286 |
$121–$344 |
$175–$492 |
Preventive Care and Pre-Membership Conditions
Zion HealthShare provides options for sharing certain preventive healthcare expenses in addition to unexpected medical needs. Eligible preventive services generally have a six-month waiting period and are not subject to the Initial Unshareable Amount (IUA). These services include an annual wellness visit, mammograms, and colonoscopy screenings, subject to specific eligibility requirements and sharing limits.
Zion HealthShare refers to pre-existing conditions as pre-membership medical conditions. Members can join regardless of their health history, but sharing for certain conditions that existed before enrollment is subject to a waiting period and phased sharing limits:
- First year: Related expenses are not eligible for sharing.
- Second year: Up to $25,000 per sharing request.
- Third year: Up to $50,000 per sharing request.
- Fourth year: Up to $125,000 per sharing request.
- After four years: Eligible expenses can be shared up to $125,000 per membership year.
Certain pre-membership conditions may qualify for sharing without the standard waiting period. These include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, provided members meet specific requirements. For example, members must not have been hospitalized for the condition within the 12 months before joining and must be able to manage it through medication or diet.
Noteworthy
Here is some key information we believe potential members may want to know about this HealthShare.
Key considerations
- No religious requirements for membership
- Tobacco and nicotine users accepted with an additional $50 monthly contribution
- Initial waiting periods apply to certain medical needs
- Membership options available for individuals, families, and businesses
Membership requirements
- Agree to Zion HealthShare’s Principles of Membership
- Participate in the community by making monthly contributions
- Must be under age 65
- Reside in the United States or Puerto Rico
Pros
- No overall annual or lifetime sharing limits, with specific limits on some services
- No waiting period for annual wellness visits with Direct Membership or Essential Membership with the preventive add-on
- Some therapeutic treatments are eligible for sharing
- Prescription sharing and discount programs
Cons
- Six-month maternity waiting period applies with a separate maternity IUA requirement
- Membership limited to those under age 65
- Processing times may vary
- Large rate increases for certain membership types
Ideal candidates
- Those seeking a HealthShare without religious membership requirements
- Companies looking to offer health sharing to their employees
Watch the Zion HealthShare introduction video
Page Updated 11/10/2026
