Having a Zion HealthShare Membership means being part of a community of people who want to help each other by sharing the burden of medical costs. Medical cost sharing can be a great alternative to traditional health insurance, and if you are currently a Zion HealthShare member, you know that it works very well within our community.
Membership with Zion HealthShare is simple and rewarding. If you are interested in becoming a member, there are a few things that you will want to review before you sign up:
- The principles of membership
- The initial unshareable amount (IUA)
- Health conditions prior to membership
The Principles of Membership
When you join Zion Health, you join a community of like-minded people. Members are all interested in helping one other with medical expenses. To be a part of this community, you acknowledge this shared interest and agree to some standards of conduct. This happens specifically when you agree to the Zion HealthShare Principles of Membership at enrollment.
The Zion HealthShare Principles of Membership are designed to minimize medical risks, encourage healthy habits, and ensure member accountability. As long as you adhere to the principles of membership, you will remain eligible to participate in medical cost sharing.
By agreeing to the principles of membership, you are stating that you believe in the concept and effectiveness of medical cost sharing, and that you understand the difference between Zion HealthShare and an insurance agency. You also will be agreeing to mediation and arbitration if any issues arise.
By attesting to the principles of membership, you will be accepting that members of all faiths are a part of your sharing community. On a more personal level, accepting the standards of conduct set out in the principles of membership means that you promise to refrain from substance abuse, commit to maintaining healthy habits, and pledge to care for your family and others.
The Initial Unshareable Amount
The initial unshareable amount, or IUA, is the amount that you are personally responsible for paying toward your need before the Zion HealthShare community will share in medical expenses. So, how does it work?
After your IUA is met for a particular medical need, the Zion HealthShare community will share in your eligible medical costs at 100%—there is no annual or lifetime limit. You will never be responsible for more than three IUAs in a 12-month period. Additionally, once you meet your IUA for any given medical need, you will not be asked to meet your IUA again (for that same need) until you have been symptom-free for 12 months.
Pre-Membership Medical Conditions
No doubt, you have experienced some type of health issue prior to considering membership with Zion HealthShare. The good news is that your membership includes some sharing for medical conditions that existed prior to membership. Let’s look at some specifics.
Zion HealthShare defines a pre-existing condition as “any diagnosed illness or injury for which a member has been examined, taken medication, had symptoms, or received medical treatment within 24 months prior to the effective date of membership.”
If your condition is cured or hasn’t been an issue for more than two years, you don’t need to worry about this. If you do have a health issue that fits the description above, then you will be happy to know that Zion HealthShare offers phased-in sharing of needs relating to pre-existing conditions.
This limited-sharing, phase-in period begins with a one-year wait. After you have been an active member for one year, you may share up to $25,000 (per need) in medical costs relating to your pre-existing condition. The shareable amount per need increases after your third and fourth year of membership. After that fourth year, you may continue to share up to $125,000 per need relating to your pre-existing condition as long as you are a member.
Zion HealthShare is here to make medical cost-sharing effective and simple. You do not have to choose between getting help with your pre-existing conditions and a quality healthcare strategy. With Zion HealthShare, you can have both!
For more details, check out the Zion HealthShare Member Guidelines.
