Zion HealthShare Newsroom
Updates, announcements, and expert commentary on what’s shaping healthcare today
Kansas Approves Tax Deduction for Health Sharing Organization Members
RESIDENTS IN KANSAS will soon see a new tax benefit tied to their health care choices. Lawmakers have passed a bill called the Health Care Sharing Ministries Tax Deduction Act, which allows qualifying individuals to deduct certain expenses from their state income...
Why HealthShares are the New Move: A Growing Shift Away from Traditional Health Insurance
Article Highlights
- Rising insurance costs and expiring subsidies are pushing more Americans to explore healthshares as a flexible, affordable alternative.
- Healthshares offer autonomy, allowing members to choose their own providers and negotiate self-pay prices without restrictive networks.
- Many members pair healthshares with Direct Primary Care for improved access, transparency, and stronger doctor-patient relationships.
- Experts recommend choosing healthshares with clear guidelines, responsive support, and digital-friendly submission processes.
- For freelancers, small business owners, and those frustrated with traditional insurance, healthshares represent a values-based, community-driven model of care.
Zion HealthShare Surpasses 75,000 Members, Shares $91.1 Million in 2025
Article Highlights
- Zion HealthShare has surpassed 75,000 members, signaling strong national growth.
- Members shared a total of $91.1 million in eligible medical expenses in 2025.
- The largest portion, $45.66 million, went toward general medical sharing requests.
- $26.35 million supported surgical procedures, while $15.42 million went to maternity needs.
- Continued growth reflects rising demand for community-driven alternatives to traditional health insurance.
Why More Freelancers Are Exploring Health Sharing in 2026
Article Highlights
- New healthcare subsidy rules in 2026 mean many self-employed workers may earn just above eligibility limits and must pay full insurance premiums.
- Freelancers who estimate their income incorrectly when applying for subsidies may have to repay part or all of the subsidy at tax time.
- Programs like Zion HealthShare are nonprofit communities where members share eligible medical expenses rather than purchasing insurance.
- Health sharing uses an Initial Unshareable Amount instead of deductibles and may provide clearer expectations around healthcare costs.
- Health sharing can provide an additional solution for clients who do not qualify for marketplace subsidies or whose income varies year to year.
Zion HealthShare Named Official Sponsor of the 2026 HINT Summit in Nashville
Article Highlights
- Zion HealthShare is an official sponsor of the 2026 HINT Summit, highlighting its commitment to direct primary care and alternative healthcare solutions.
- The HINT Summit brings together doctors, healthcare leaders, and innovators to explore affordable, transparent, and patient-focused care models.
- Zion HealthShare provides members with a nonprofit, community-driven alternative to health insurance, helping manage healthcare costs.
- Combining direct primary care memberships with health sharing programs simplifies healthcare, offering affordable access to both routine and major medical care.
- The Summit offers Zion HealthShare an opportunity to expand its national DPC provider map and strengthen connections between members and trusted physicians.
Direct Primary Care Expands as Physicians and Patients Seek Simpler Healthcare Model
Article Highlights
- Direct Primary Care removes insurance from routine visits and focuses on transparent, membership-based primary care.
- Physicians in DPC practices typically offer longer appointments, allowing for deeper patient relationships and preventive care.
- Flat monthly fees provide predictable costs, while labs and medications are often offered at discounted, upfront pricing.
- Regulatory changes now allow Health Savings Accounts to be used for DPC memberships, increasing employer interest.
- The DPC model continues to expand nationwide as patients seek alternatives to traditional insurance-driven healthcare.
Zion HealthShare Leaders Appear on My DPC Story Podcast to Discuss Direct Primary Care and Healthcare Access
Article Highlights
- Zion HealthShare President Ashton Casper and Board Member Camila Guerrero appeared on the My DPC Story podcast.
- The episode focused on Direct Primary Care and preparing for larger medical events through community-based solutions.
- Leaders emphasized transparency, affordability, and stronger physician-patient relationships.
- Guerrero shared her personal experience seeking better healthcare delivery models centered on patients.
- A live Q and A session followed the episode, giving DPC physicians and prospective members direct access to Zion HealthShare leadership.
CDC Updates Childhood Vaccine Recommendations, Shifting Some to Shared Clinical Decision-Making
Article Highlights
- The CDC updated its childhood and adolescent immunization schedule, reducing the number of vaccines classified as routine from 17 to 11.
- Six vaccines, including influenza, COVID-19, and hepatitis A and B, were moved to a shared clinical decision-making category for higher risk individuals.
- Core childhood vaccines such as measles, chickenpox, and tetanus remain unchanged in the routine schedule.
- Vaccine policy implementation varies by state, with some continuing to follow American Academy of Pediatrics guidance.
- Healthcare providers emphasize informed discussions between families and clinicians to navigate the updated recommendations.
Zion HealthShare Launches Member Ambassador Program to Celebrate Community Growth
Article Highlights
- Zion HealthShare’s Member Ambassador Program rewards members who refer friends, family, or colleagues who become active members.
- Referring members receive appreciation gifts once a referred household completes 60 days of active membership.
- Each household may earn up to five total appreciation gifts over the lifetime of the program.
- Participation is voluntary and open to active members in good standing, with referrals required to be new to Zion HealthShare.
- The program reflects Zion HealthShare’s community-driven approach to healthcare and word-of-mouth growth, while excluding certain states from eligibility.
Zion HealthShare Becomes Official Medical Assistant Industry Partner with Dixie Technical College
Article Highlights
- Zion HealthShare has been designated as an official Medical Assistant Industry Partner with Dixie Technical College.
- The partnership includes participation on the Occupational Advisory Council to help guide curriculum development.
- Students gain exposure to alternative healthcare and benefits models beyond traditional insurance.
- Zion HealthShare serves as a recruiter and employer resource through mock interviews, job fairs, and career readiness programs.
- The collaboration supports workforce development and strengthens connections between education and real-world healthcare careers.
Direct Primary Care Grows as Patients and Providers Look for a Better Way
Article Highlights
- Direct Primary Care (DPC) offers a more personal healthcare model.
- Rising costs and system frustration are driving people to alternatives.
- DPC is growing nationwide.
- Healthshares and DPC can work well together.
- This approach isn’t one-size-fits-all and requires informed participation.