Zion HealthShare Newsroom
Updates, announcements, and expert commentary on what’s shaping healthcare today
Zion HealthShare Announces New Member Portal to Improve Membership Management
The way members interact with us matters, whether they are reaching out for help with a medical need or managing their monthly contributions. We want those experiences to be straightforward. This new portal is an investment in the systems our members rely on and in...
Zion HealthShare Announces Direct Relationship with Teladoc to Improve Virtual Care Access
Article Highlights
- Zion HealthShare will begin working directly with Teladoc on October 1, 2026.
- The direct relationship will simplify how eligible members set up and access virtual care.
- Eligible members will continue to have unlimited, 24/7 access to General Medicine visits by phone or video at $0 per visit.
- Virtual Care is included with all Direct Memberships and is available as an add-on to Essential Memberships.
- Access through Primestin Care will end September 30, 2026.
Healthcare Costs Double for Farmers and Other Self-Employed Workers, Adding Pressure to Already Tight Budgets
Article Highlights
- Farmers, ranchers, contractors, and other self-employed workers are facing significant increases in health insurance costs in 2026.
- The expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits has reduced financial assistance for many Marketplace enrollees.
- Households near the subsidy cutoff may see their monthly premiums change by hundreds of dollars based on relatively small income fluctuations.
- Rising healthcare expenses are adding pressure to families already balancing unpredictable income and increasing business costs.
- As health coverage becomes less affordable, more farmers and self-employed workers are exploring alternatives, including health sharing.
Zion HealthShare Announces End of Business Services Agreement with Planstin Administration, Inc.
Summary
- Zion HealthShare’s Business Services Agreement with Planstin Administration, Inc. ends effective August 31, 2026
- Planstin handled enrollment, billing, and administration for some Zion HealthShare memberships
- Zion HealthShare has grown past 80,000 members and its operational needs have evolved
Self-Pay Healthcare: What It Actually Costs (And Why It Might Be Less Than You Think)
Article Highlights
- Self pay healthcare can often cost less than using insurance, especially for routine services like lab work, imaging, and generic prescriptions.
- Cash pay prices may be 10 to 30% lower than hospital list prices because providers avoid insurance administrative costs.
- Federal hospital price transparency rules require hospitals to publish cash and negotiated prices, though upfront pricing remains difficult for many patients.
- Self pay medical bills are often negotiable, with some patients reducing their bills by 36 to 46%.
- Prices for the same medical service can vary dramatically between facilities, making it worthwhile for patients to compare costs before receiving care.
Healthcare Innovator, Dr. Justin Voris, Joins Zion HealthShare Board
Article Highlights
- Justin Voris joins Zion HealthShare Board, bringing over a decade of experience in family medicine.
- His background in Direct Primary Care (DPC) supports a focus on simplifying care and strengthening physician–patient relationships.
- Dr. Voris currently serves as President of the Arkansas Academy of Family Physicians and contributes leadership experience in multiple medical and community organizations.
As Medical Debt Fears Grow, Illinois Moves to Protect Patients’ Homes From Liens
Article Highlights
- Illinois HB 4461 would prohibit hospitals from placing liens on a patient’s primary residence due to unpaid medical debt.
- The bill advanced through the Illinois Senate and would amend both the state’s Fair Patient Billing Act and Code of Civil Procedure.
- Supporters argue that healthcare debt should not jeopardize housing stability, especially when medical expenses are often unexpected.
- The legislation was introduced following reports of aggressive debt collection practices, including liens on homes for medical debts as low as $2,000 after the acquisition of St. Margaret’s Hospital by OSF HealthCare.
- The bill reflects broader concerns about healthcare affordability and transparency, as more Americans explore alternatives such as self-pay healthcare, direct primary care, cash-pay arrangements, and health sharing communities.
Business After Hours Networking Event Brings Healthcare Innovators Together in Littleton
Article Highlights
- Pinnacle Advanced Primary Care and Smith Medical Direct Specialty Care hosted the Business After Hours networking event on May 13 in Littleton, Colorado.
- The event brought together healthcare providers, business leaders, and organizations focused on alternatives to traditional healthcare.
- Zion HealthShare attended to share information about medical cost sharing and connect with healthcare innovators in the region.
- Participants emphasized shared values of transparency, affordability, accessibility, and patient-centered care.
- The event also supported the local nonprofit Symphony of the Rockies while fostering partnerships that can improve healthcare options for patients and employers.
Kansas Approves Tax Deduction for Health Sharing Organization Members
Article Highlights
- Kansas passed the Health Care Sharing Ministries Tax Deduction Act, effective for the 2027 tax year.
- Individuals can deduct up to $5,000, while married couples filing jointly can deduct up to $10,000.
- The deduction applies to members of nonprofit health sharing ministries, not insurance plans.
- Laura Kelly vetoed the bill, but lawmakers overrode the veto to pass it into law.
- The law expands financial flexibility and access to alternative health care options for Kansas residents.
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.