We compared Zion HealthShare against all 8 featured plans — here's exactly where it wins and where it doesn't
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. If you want a recognized PPO card instead, see Medi-Share ($115–$470/mo individual, PHCS + First Health). If you want Zion's sharing bundled with an HSA-eligible MEC product, see HSA Secure (same $114–$320 individual range and $1,250 / $2,500 / $5,000 IUA tiers).
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Zion HealthShare is a health sharing ministry, not insurance — individual monthly contributions run $114–$320 depending on age and IUA tier, with no per-incident, annual, or lifetime sharing cap, no faith requirement, and no provider network. It's our top-rated plan (4.8/5) for anyone without a faith preference. Below, 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.
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.
- IUA / AHP tiers
- $1,250 / $2,500 / $5,000
- Per-incident cap
- None (unlimited)
- Network
- None — any provider
- Faith req.
- None
- Day-1 pre-existing
- HBP, high cholesterol, type-2 diabetes (no prior hospitalization)
- IUA / AHP tiers
- $3,000 / $6,000 / $9,000 / $12,000
- Per-incident cap
- None (no per-incident cap)
- Network
- PHCS + First Health PPO (900,000+)
- Faith req.
- Christian statement of faith required
- Day-1 pre-existing
- None — 36-month phase-in for pre-existing
- IUA / AHP tiers
- $500
- Per-incident cap
- None (no per-event cap)
- Network
- None — any doctor
- Faith req.
- None
- Day-1 pre-existing
- None — 2-year ineligibility on pre-existing
- IUA / AHP tiers
- $500 / $1,000 / $1,500 / $2,500 / $5,000
- Per-incident cap
- None (unlimited)
- Network
- None — any provider
- Faith req.
- None
- Day-1 pre-existing
- None — 12-month no-share period
- IUA / AHP tiers
- $1,000 / $2,500 / $5,000
- Per-incident cap
- None (unlimited)
- Network
- None — any provider
- Faith req.
- None
- Day-1 pre-existing
- None — not shared year 1
- IUA / AHP tiers
- $300 / $500 / $1,000
- Per-incident cap
- $125,000/illness (base); $1M/illness with Plus add-on
- Network
- None — any provider
- Faith req.
- Strict Christian faith + church attendance
- Day-1 pre-existing
- None — 12-month symptom-free rule applies
- IUA / AHP tiers
- $300 / $500 / $1,000
- Per-incident cap
- $250,000/need (Classic); Save to Share above that
- Network
- None — any provider (peer-to-peer)
- Faith req.
- Strict Christian faith required
- Day-1 pre-existing
- None — 50% first year on most pre-existing
- IUA / AHP tiers
- $1,250 / $2,500 / $5,000
- Per-incident cap
- None (unlimited)
- Network
- None — any provider
- Faith req.
- None
- Day-1 pre-existing
- None — 12-month wait on pre-existing
| 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 | $88–$413 | $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).
Ready to enroll?
If Zion's uncapped sharing, any-doctor access, and day-1 carve-outs match what you need, you can join through our link — same plan, and it keeps this comparison free.
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 — important for the large share of health-sharing searchers who are not looking for a faith requirement.
- 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.
Published pricing, as of 2026-06-29.
How Zion HealthShare compares
| Plan | From / mo | Faith requirement | Pre-existing wait | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zion HealthShare | from $114/mo | No requirement | 12 months (then phased in over 4 years) | Read → |
| HSA Secure | from $114/mo | Secular | 12 months | Read → |
| Medi-Share | $115–$470/mo | Christian | 36 months | Read → |
Frequently asked questions
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 (Zion is HSA-eligible on its own; choose HSA Secure only if you want the bundled MEC product)
- ✓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)
Who Zion HealthShare is NOT right for
Being direct about this is the point of the review. Zion is not the right choice if you want a recognized PPO card you can hand a specialist at check-in — Zion has no provider network, so you or the provider deal with reference-based pricing instead of an in-network rate already negotiated for you. It is also not the right choice if you have significant pre-existing conditions beyond the three day-1 exceptions (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type-2 diabetes): everything else phases in over four years, and someone with an active condition needing coverage sooner will be underserved. And if a long claims-paying track record matters more to you than price or network freedom, Zion launched in 2019 — a fraction of the history behind older ministries.
For those situations, Medi-Share is the better fit: it has run since 1993, carries a 900,000+ provider PPO network (PHCS/First Health) so bills are negotiated up front, and has three decades of claims history behind it. The trade-off is a Christian statement-of-faith requirement and a 36-month pre-existing condition wait, versus Zion's no-faith-requirement and shorter day-1 exceptions. See the full Zion vs. Medi-Share comparison for the numbers side by side.
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
- ·You're managing a pre-existing condition and need it covered sooner than 12 months (then phased in over 4 years).
- ·Telehealth not fully covered
Run the numbers for Zion HealthShare
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