We compared Zion HealthShare against all 8 featured plans — here's exactly where it wins and where it doesn't
This isn't a generic overview. We ran Zion's 2026 pricing, IUA tiers, per-incident cap, network policy, and pre-existing conditions rules against every plan we feature — then exposed the scoring algorithm we use to match people to plans. The data comes from verified 2026 rate tables; none of it is estimated.
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Individual cost
$114 – $320/mo
by age band + IUA tier
IUA options
$1,250 / $2,500 / $5,000
3 tiers — 2026 rates
Per-incident cap
None
unlimited per eligible need
Our rating
4.8 / 5
highest in our set
The Centerpiece
Zion vs. all 8 featured plans — 2026 verified data
Zion row is highlighted. Every number traces to a ministry source file or our accuracy audit. Cap and network data are the most commonly wrong fields in health-sharing content — these are verified.
| Plan | Individual/mo | IUA / AHP tiers | Per-incident cap | Provider network | Faith req. | Day-1 pre-existing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zion HealthShareBest Overall ★★★★½4.8 | $114–$320 | $1,250 / $2,500 / $5,000 | None (unlimited) | None — any provider | None | HBP, high cholesterol, type-2 diabetes (no prior hospitalization) |
| Medi-Share ★★★★½4.5 | $115–$470 | $3,000 / $6,000 / $9,000 / $12,000 | None (no per-incident cap) | PHCS + First Health PPO (900,000+) | Christian statement of faith required | None — 36-month phase-in for pre-existing |
| CrowdHealth ★★★★½4.6 | $60–$200 | $500 | None (no per-event cap) | None — any doctor | None | None — 2-year ineligibility on pre-existing |
| Sedera ★★★★½4.5 | $153–$742 | $500 / $1,000 / $1,500 / $2,500 / $5,000 | None (unlimited) | None — any provider | None | None — 12-month no-share period |
| Knew Health ★★★★☆4.2 | $142–$379 | $1,000 / $2,500 / $5,000 | None (unlimited) | None — any provider | None | None — not shared year 1 |
| CHM ★★★★☆4.4 | $115–$299 | $300 / $500 / $1,000 | $125,000/illness (base); $1M/illness with Plus add-on | None — any provider | Strict Christian faith + church attendance | None — 12-month symptom-free rule applies |
| Samaritan Ministries ★★★★☆4.4 | $199–$365 | $300 / $500 / $1,000 | $250,000/need (Classic); Save to Share above that | None — any provider (peer-to-peer) | Strict Christian faith required | None — 50% first year on most pre-existing |
| HSA Secure ★★★★☆4 | $114–$320 | $1,250 / $2,500 / $5,000 | None (unlimited) | None — any provider | None | None — 12-month wait on pre-existing |
Sources: ministry data files (last verified June 2026). Per-incident caps and network data cross-checked against canonical audit anchors. IUA = Initial Unshareable Amount (Zion's term); AHP = Annual Household Portion (Medi-Share's term).
Proprietary Methodology
How we actually score plans — the algorithm, exposed
Most review sites rank plans by gut feel or commission rate. We run a deterministic scoring function with 5 weighted axes — and we're publishing it here. No other health-sharing comparison site does this.
Budget fit
High weightHow we score it: Individual floor price vs. your stated budget bucket (under $150, $150–250, $250–400, over $400). Plans whose floor undercuts your ceiling get +2; plans that match the midpoint get +2.
Why it matters: Monthly contribution is the #1 search filter. A plan that beats your ceiling on price gets the most weight here.
Faith alignment
High weightHow we score it: Christian-gated plans (Medi-Share, CHM, Samaritan) get +3 for Christian users — and –4 for secular/non-Christian users, who are hard-excluded from christian-strict plans entirely. No-preference users receive +3 for any-faith plans.
Why it matters: Being recommended a plan you can't honestly join is a bad match, not a neutral one. The penalty is asymmetric and intentional.
Pre-existing condition handling
High weightHow we score it: If you have significant pre-existing conditions and a plan accepts them with no phase-in, +3. Minor conditions with acceptance: +2. No conditions at all: +1.
Why it matters: Phase-in periods vary from 12 months (Zion HBP/cholesterol/diabetes) to 36 months (Medi-Share) to 2 full years of ineligibility (CrowdHealth). This is the most consequential variable for people who aren't perfectly healthy.
Coverage priority match
Medium weightHow we score it: Your top priority (cost, broad coverage, maternity, mental health, HSA compatibility) earns +3 if the plan delivers it. Broad coverage is measured by counting included benefits (8+ = +3, 6+ = +2).
Why it matters: A family planning a pregnancy needs to know whether maternity is included. A self-employed contractor using an HSA needs HSA-compatible plans surfaced first.
Plan rating (baseline)
Low weightHow we score it: Each plan's editorial rating (1–5) is added directly to the score as a constant baseline. Zion = 4.8, CrowdHealth = 4.6, Medi-Share = 4.5, Sedera = 4.5, CHM = 4.4, Samaritan = 4.4, Knew = 4.2, HSA Secure = 4.0.
Why it matters: Ratings reflect financial stability, member satisfaction, and claims track record — but they're a small signal that breaks ties rather than dominates the score.
What this means for Zion HealthShare:
Zion scores highest in our set (4.8 baseline) and gets a +3 faith-alignment bonus for secular and no-preference users — the largest faith bonus available. For a self-employed person without pre-existing conditions who wants low cost and any-doctor access, Zion will consistently rank #1. For a Christian family who want a faith-based community, Medi-Share or CHM will outscore it on faith alone.
The Honest Take
Where Zion wins — and where it doesn't
Where Zion wins (data-backed)
- Day-1 coverage for 3 common conditions: High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type-2 diabetes are eligible for sharing from month one — provided none resulted in hospitalization in the prior 12 months. No other plan in our set offers day-1 eligibility on these three conditions. (Source: Zion Member Guidelines Jan 2026.)
- No statement of faith required: Zion is open to members of any faith or no faith. CHM and Samaritan require a strict Christian statement of faith. Medi-Share requires a Trinitarian statement plus active church involvement. Zion requires neither — critical for the roughly 35% of health-sharing searchers who identify as non-religious.
- No per-incident or lifetime cap: Zion shares eligible needs with no per-incident, annual, or lifetime dollar cap (Zion Member Guidelines). That is a real catastrophic-coverage edge over CHM ($125,000/illness on the base program) and Samaritan ($250,000/need on Classic) — a major surgery or cancer course is not truncated by a Zion-wide ceiling.
- Highest rating in our set (4.8★): Zion outscores all 8 featured plans on our composite rating, which weights financial stability, claims processing speed (30–45 days), member satisfaction, and product transparency.
- Any doctor, zero network friction: No provider network means no in-network/out-of-network billing surprises. Members pay the provider directly using reference-based pricing or negotiate directly. The trade-off is covered in the losses column.
- Competitive floor price ($114/mo for under-30): The $114/month floor (age 18–29, $5,000 IUA) is the second-lowest individual entry point in our set after CrowdHealth ($60/mo). For young, healthy individuals without pre-existing conditions, this represents strong value.
Where Zion loses (data-backed)
- Newer organization — shorter track record: Zion launched its healthshare in 2019, making it one of the youngest plans in our set. Medi-Share (1993), CHM (1981), and Samaritan (1994) have decades more claims history. Zion has grown fast (75,000+ members) and shares without a per-incident or lifetime cap — but it has a shorter long-term track record than the legacy ministries.
- No provider network — reference-based pricing friction: Without a PPO like Medi-Share's PHCS/First Health (900,000+ providers), Zion members bill at full chargemaster rates, then Zion shares based on a reference amount. Some providers push back. Specialists in particular may require upfront payment. Medi-Share members swipe a card like insurance.
- All pre-existing conditions except 3 face phase-in: Only HBP, high cholesterol, and type-2 diabetes have day-1 eligibility. Everything else — prior cancer, orthopedic history, autoimmune conditions — faces a phase-in period before becoming fully eligible for sharing. This is less forgiving than it initially sounds.
- No dental or vision included: Dental and vision are excluded from all Zion plans. If these are important, you will need a separate discount plan or insurance add-on (typically $20–60/mo additional).
- Not available in Washington state: Zion excludes Washington (WA) due to state regulatory requirements. Washington residents should consider Sedera, CrowdHealth, or Medi-Share instead.
The core trade-off, one sentence:
Zion is the best secular option for someone who wants any-doctor access, day-1 coverage for common chronic conditions, and uncapped catastrophic sharing (no per-incident or lifetime ceiling). The real cautions are its newer track record (launched 2019) and the multi-year phase-in for pre-existing conditions beyond the three day-1 exceptions.
Verdict
Who Zion HealthShare is right for
Strong match
- ✓Self-employed or gig workers without faith preference
- ✓Anyone managing HBP, high cholesterol, or type-2 diabetes who wants coverage from month one
- ✓People who dislike network restrictions and want true any-doctor freedom
- ✓Budget-conscious individuals under 40 (floor: $114/mo)
- ✓HSA users (pair with HSA Secure product for full HSA compatibility)
- ✓Freelancers and contractors who need portability and simplicity
Look elsewhere if…
- ✕You want a faith-based community (Samaritan or CHM)
- ✕You want a decades-long track record (Medi-Share, CHM, or Samaritan)
- ✕You live in Washington state
- ✕You need a recognized PPO card for specialist billing (Medi-Share)
- ✕You have complex pre-existing conditions beyond the 3 day-1 exceptions
- ✕Your employer or association is negotiating group rates (Sedera Direct)
Our top pick for secular health sharing
Zion HealthShare
$114 – $320/mo (individual) · ★ 4.8
No faith requirement · Any doctor · Day-1 for HBP, cholesterol & type-2 diabetes · 4.8★ rating
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Run the numbers for Zion HealthShare
Model an ER visit, surgery, or pregnancy with your actual household size and see exactly what you'd pay out of pocket — and how Zion compares on total annual cost.
Run the Numbers →Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Zion HealthShare cost per month?
Zion HealthShare individual plans run $114–$320/month in 2026, depending on your age band and IUA selection. The $114 floor is for members aged 18–29 at the $5,000 IUA; the $320 ceiling is for members aged 50–64 at the $1,250 IUA. Family plans start at $334/month. The $1,000 IUA tier was retired January 1, 2026 — the three current tiers are $1,250, $2,500, and $5,000.
Does Zion HealthShare cover pre-existing conditions?
Partially — and the details matter. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type-2 diabetes are eligible for sharing from month one, provided none of these conditions resulted in hospitalization in the prior 12 months. All other pre-existing conditions (diagnosed or treated in the 24 months before joining) are subject to a phase-in period before becoming fully eligible for sharing. See Zion's Member Guidelines for the exact phase-in schedule.
Does Zion HealthShare have a faith requirement?
No. Zion HealthShare has no statement of faith requirement and no church attendance requirement. It is open to members of all faiths and backgrounds — one of only three featured plans (along with CrowdHealth and Sedera) that require no religious commitment.
What is Zion's per-incident sharing cap?
Zion HealthShare has no per-incident, annual, or lifetime sharing cap — eligible needs are shared without a dollar ceiling, per Zion's Member Guidelines. The nuance is in phase-in and condition sub-limits: pre-existing conditions phase in over four years (the year-four allowance is capped at $125,000 per 12-month period before becoming unlimited), and a few specific categories carry their own limits (e.g., tobacco-related illness). For a fully eligible need, there is no $250K-style ceiling.
Can I see any doctor with Zion HealthShare?
Yes. Zion has no provider network — members can see any licensed doctor, specialist, or hospital in the United States. Bills are processed using reference-based pricing. There are no in-network/out-of-network tiers or network authorization requirements. Washington state residents are excluded from Zion membership due to state regulations.
Is Zion HealthShare available in all states?
Zion HealthShare is available in all U.S. states except Washington (WA). Washington residents should consider Sedera, CrowdHealth, or Medi-Share instead.
Head to Head
How Zion Compares
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