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Knew Health Pre-Existing Conditions
Knew Health uses a 24-month look-back and a four-year phase-in: nothing shared in year one, then $25K in year two, $50K in year three, and $125K per rolling 12 months permanently from year four. The standout rule is the carve-out: controlled high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes (both types) never count as pre-existing when hospitalization-free for 12 months.
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That carve-out quietly makes Knew one of the better secular picks for managed chronic conditions. Here is the full structure.
The Timeline
| Day one | Controlled HBP, cholesterol, and diabetes types 1 and 2 (hospitalization-free 12 months) |
| Year 1 | Other pre-existing conditions not shared |
| Year 2 | Up to $25,000 |
| Year 3 | Up to $50,000 |
| Year 4 onward | Up to $125,000 per rolling 12 months, permanent |
How It Stacks Against Zion
The carve-out lists are similar but not identical. Knew includes both diabetes types; Zion adds type 1 explicitly too and pairs it with no annual or lifetime cap on new needs while Knew caps members at three IUAs per year. Read both pages before deciding.
Editor’s pick
Knew Health
from $142/mo · ★ 4.2
If your history fits the carve-out: no faith requirement, max three IUAs per year, unlimited sharing on new eligible needs.
The Bottom Line
Managed chronic conditions share immediately at Knew, which puts it ahead of most secular rivals on this axis. Everything else waits out the phase-in. Compare all waits in our pre-existing comparison and read the full Knew Health review.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Knew Health pre-existing schedule?
Not shared in year one. Year two allows up to $25,000, year three up to $50,000, and from year four up to $125,000 per rolling 12-month period. That ceiling is permanent.
Which conditions don’t count as pre-existing?
High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes (type 1 and type 2) when they're controlled with medication or lifestyle and you've been hospitalization-free for them for 12 months. Those needs share from day one.
How far back does Knew look?
A 24-month look-back defines what counts as pre-existing under the Member Guidelines v25.1.
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Last updated: August 2026. Facts verified against Knew Health's published Member Guidelines v25.1 (effective September 2025). See our footer disclosure regarding affiliate commissions.
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Holistic & secular
Knew Health
from $142/mo · ★ 4.2
A secular, whole-health community — HSA-compatible with a focus on preventive care.
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