Searching for an in-network healthcare provider should be simple, but for many Americans navigating provider networks is a frustrating maze of outdated directories, endless phone calls, and surprise bills. Even after booking an appointment, many still worry about what the visit will cost and whether it will be billed as in network or out of network.
For those with traditional health insurance, finding an in-network provider is critical to avoid high out-of-pocket costs, yet a 2023 Kaiser Family Foundation survey found that 20% of insured Americans received unexpected bills due to out-of-network insurance, often because they couldn’t locate an in-network healthcare provider in time.
Adding to the challenge, a 2024 study from Texas A&M University found that up to 44 percent of providers listed in ACA Marketplace directories were unreachable due to incorrect or outdated information, leaving patients to rely on incomplete or incorrect information when searching for care.
It often feels like you have to guess how much you will owe before you even walk through the door. This kind of confusion is not a minor inconvenience. It leads people to delay care, avoid specialists, and settle for providers they would not have chosen otherwise. When the system puts roadblocks between patients and doctors, everyone loses.
At the core of the issue is a system that limits access in the name of managing costs. Provider networks are often designed around negotiated contracts, not patient preferences. While these networks may make sense on paper, they often fall short in practice. Directories are outdated, information is inconsistent, and the burden to find the right provider falls entirely on the patient.
How People Are Working Around Provider Network Restrictions
Barriers to care go beyond just cost. A 2022 study found nearly 1 in 5 adults under 65 ran into non-cost related obstacles resulting in a delay or just not receiving care at all. This frustration is pushing many people to seek alternatives. Some are turning to concierge doctors or direct primary care memberships.
These models offer quick access to providers and longer appointment times, which can be a welcome change from traditional clinics. However, they are usually limited to basic care and do not include help with higher-cost needs like surgeries, imaging, or hospital stays.
Others are trying to find health insurance plans with broader networks or national access. These options often come with higher monthly costs, and even then, members may still have to fight to confirm whether a provider is truly in network. Just because a name appears in a search result does not mean they are actively participating, and just because a provider says they take your plan does not guarantee the billing will reflect that.
There is also growing interest in nonprofit healthshares, also known as medical cost sharing communities. These nonprofit organizations allow members to contribute monthly and share in each other’s medical expenses. While this model can provide a more affordable alternative, not all health shares operate the same way. Some rely on third-party discount programs or require members to visit specific facilities to receive full sharing support. Others promote open access but include complicated systems that still limit real choice.
Why Zion HealthShare Is the Better Health Insurance Alternative
At Zion HealthShare, we took a hard look at what causes frustration in the healthcare system and built something different from the ground up. One of the biggest changes we made was removing provider networks entirely. Our members are free to see any provider they choose. There is no list to check. There are no hidden restrictions. You can visit your trusted local doctor, a new provider near your college student, or a hospital while traveling, and the process remains the same.
We believe you should be able to choose your provider based on who you trust, not based on who happens to be part of a network contract. That simple idea changes everything. Instead of narrowing your options, we keep them open. And instead of putting obstacles between you and your care, we focus on clarity and support.
How Zion HealthShare’s Network-Free Approach Works
Here is how it works in practice. You schedule a visit with the provider of your choice. After your appointment, you collect your medical bills and submit them through your online member portal. Our team reviews the request to determine if it is eligible for sharing, based on our Member Guidelines. If it is, the expense is shared by the community. For some sharing requests, we can even provide a virtual card so your provider is paid directly at the time of service.
You don’t need to confirm network participation before your appointment. You don’t need to call a hotline to ask if your provider is in network. And you don’t need to worry that your doctor might leave the network in the middle of the year. Our healthshare is built on simplicity and flexibility.
Whether you are dealing with an unexpected injury, or a planned surgery, Zion HealthShare gives you the freedom to make decisions based on your needs, not on insurance contracts.
Comparing Healthshares, Direct Primary Care and Traditional Health Insurnace
When you look at the different ways people access care, the contrast is clear. Traditional health insurance comes with a complex set of rules and restrictions. You are required to see in-network providers, often need prior approvals, and must deal with shifting networks that can change during the year. The result is a confusing and often expensive system.
Concierge care and direct primary care (DPC) offer better access to doctors, but they do not include help with large medical costs. These models work well for some, but they are not a complete solution on their own. However, when paired with a medical cost sharing community like Zion HealthShare, DPC members can combine the benefits of personalized care with a solution for major medical expenses.
Here’s how Zion HealthShare works alongside DPC practices.
Other health shares may seem similar on the surface, but many still include hidden restrictions or rely on network-like structures. Some only share expenses at specific hospitals or require members to request discounts themselves. Others promote broad access but still include pre-approval steps that complicate the process.
Zion HealthShare stands apart by offering a truly open model. Our members have real choice, our guidelines are transparent and accessible, and our team is here to support you throughout the process. We are a nonprofit health share, which means we are not trying to profit from your medical needs. We exist to make care more accessible, affordable, and community driven.
You Don’t Have to Settle for Less
If you are tired of asking if a doctor is in your network or worrying about surprise bills because of a technicality, you are not alone in your frustration. But more importantly, you are not stuck with that system. Zion HealthShare offers a better way to manage your medical expenses while giving you the freedom to choose your own providers.
Our members come from all walks of life: individuals, families, and small or large business owners. But they all have one thing in common. They want more control over their healthcare journey and more clarity in how they access care.
Whether you are actively looking for a health insurance alternative or just exploring what else is out there, we invite you to take a closer look at how Zion HealthShare works. You can read our Member Guidelines, schedule a call with our team, or explore membership options online. We are here to answer your questions and help you decide if this is the right fit for you.
Finding care should not be complicated. With Zion HealthShare, it doesn’t have to be.
Zion HealthShare is not an insurance company. Neither this publication nor membership in Zion HealthShare are offered by an insurance company. Visit zionhealthshare.org to view your state-specific notice.
Current as of: December 18, 2025