What is a HealthShare?
A HealthShare is a nonprofit that facilitates sharing of eligible medical expenses between its members. A HealthShare is not health insurance.
What is an IUA?
An IUA is an acronym for the “Initial Unshareable Amount.” The first $1,000, $2,500, or $5,000 (depending on the household membership’s chosen IUA) of an eligible sharing request’s medical expenses are the member’s responsibility to pay before cost sharing can begin.
How do I request assistance with my medical expenses?
Submit a Sharing Request through your Member Portal
Unless it is an emergency, contact Zion HealthShare prior to any medical appointment. Our Medical Advocacy team can help you navigate your healthcare experience.
Present as a Self-Pay Patient
Zion HealthShare is not insurance. At your appointment, please present as a self-pay patient, if you do not have insurance.
Share with the Community
Eligible medical expenses will be shared among community members. When your sharing request is determined eligible for sharing, Zion HealthShare will work with you to coordinate provider payments. As you receive bills from your provider, request itemized statements and send them through your Member Portal no later than six (6) months from date of service.
Contact Zion HealthShare if you have any questions.
How do I pay my IUA?
You can pay your IUA either to your provider or to Zion HealthShare after your sharing request has been approved and within six (6) months of the date of service. When paying your provider directly, be sure to keep your receipts and submit them through your Member Portal. If you would like to pay your IUA to Zion HealthShare, contact Member Care.
How does Zion HealthShare pay for my medical bills?
Once your sharing request has been approved, and your IUA has been met, the Zion HealthShare community can facilitate sharing in many ways, including mailing a check, ACH transfer, or via credit card payment.
How do I find a low-cost medical provider for an upcoming service?
Open a Sharing Request through your Member Portal and check the box requesting Medical Advocacy’s assistance. The Medical Advocacy team assists in identifying a low-cost provider in your area and making prepayments.
How do I present myself at my next eligible doctor’s appointment?
Do not show your member ID card. Zion HealthShare no longer provides ID cards and any ID cards provided previously are invalid and contain incorrect information.
When you go to your doctor’s appointment, present yourself as a self-pay patient and request any available discounts. Also, request an itemized bill which you will submit via the Member Portal.
What is a Pre-Membership Medical Condition?
A medical condition that a member has within the 24 months prior to joining Zion HealthShare. A pre-membership medical condition can be anything for which a member has been examined, been diagnosed, taken medication, had symptoms, or received medical treatment. Pre-membership medical conditions are not shareable in the first year of membership but may be considered for sharing beginning in the second and subsequent years. The pre-membership condition may also qualify for Additional Giving in your first year of membership.
Does Zion HealthShare have any deadlines or waiting periods?
Yes, there are specific deadlines or waiting periods. Please read the Member Guidelines, as each section contains unique deadlines and/or waiting periods. Specifically, the sections titled: Submission of Sharing Requests, Preventive Services, Pre-Membership Medical Conditions, and Maternity Sharing Request.
Please note: Sharing requests that exceed the deadlines will not be shared.
Is Zion HealthShare an Insurance Company?
No. Zion HealthShare is a nonprofit organization made of individuals who share into each other’s eligible medical expenses. All sharing between members is done so through voluntary monthly contributions and not by Zion HealthShare itself. The limited funding available to share between members is only received through voluntary giving.
What if I have an insurance policy in addition to my membership?
If you have health insurance, workers' compensation, a liability insurance policy, or the like, you must disclose this to Zion HealthShare. Since Zion HealthShare is not health insurance, your insurance company is primarily responsible for the payment of your medical expenses. The Zion HealthShare community will only consider sharing in the remaining unpaid eligible medical expenses after your insurer(s) have processed and paid claims related to your sharing request.
The same applies to auto insurance after a car accident. Failure to disclose your relevant insurance coverage to Zion HealthShare may result in sharing ineligibility.
If you have a medical need arise, and you are eligible for benefits through either insurance, government assistance, or the like, please disclose when you submit a sharing request.
Can I offer Zion HealthShare through my company?
Yes! Please reach out to our Development team or visit www.zionhealthshare.org/companies/ to learn more.
Can I choose my own healthcare provider?
Yes. As Zion HealthShare is not health insurance, we have no network limitations. Members can go to any healthcare provider within the US and Puerto Rico. The healthcare provider must be a licensed medical professional in the location where services are received and provide medically necessary evaluations and treatment to be considered eligible for sharing.
Contact Medical Advocacy for assistance in finding a low-cost provider.
What is the difference between Direct and Essential membership?
Essential Membership is a base membership that allows members to add additional features, such as, Teladoc, Zion RxShare, and Preventive Sharing.
Direct Membership is a packaged membership that includes cost-sharing, Preventive Sharing, Zion RxShare, and Teladoc.
LifeWorks can be added to either membership for an additional monthly contribution amount.
Am I eligible for prescription discounts?
All members can access discounted prescriptions from any participating pharmacy through Zion RxShare powered by Rx Valet. Additional Rx Sharing is included in the Direct Membership and may be added to the Essential Membership. For more detailed information, please refer to the Additional Services page.
Are there any restrictions relating to alcohol and illicit, and/or illegal drug use?
Any medical expenses incurred while committing an illegal act are never eligible for sharing. Refer to Zion HealthShare’s Principles of Membership.
Can I use my HSA, HRA, or FSA to pay for my monthly contributions or IUA?
Please consult with your accountant, tax/financial advisor, account custodian, or applicable representative if you have any questions about the use of your HSA/HRA/FSA account for qualified medical expenses.
How long does it take Zion HealthShare to share into my bills?
Zion HealthShare prioritizes quickly sharing into medical expenses. With proper documentation, sharing can occur in as quickly as 2-5 weeks. To help expedite the process, after you've submitted your sharing request through the Member Portal, please be aware that you may also be requested to sign a HIPAA Authorization Form. This provides Zion HealthShare with the ability to request applicable medical records and information related to your sharing request.