Zion HealthShare Newsroom
Updates, announcements, and expert commentary on what’s shaping healthcare today
Direct Primary Care Expands as Physicians and Patients Seek Simpler Healthcare Model
“Direct primary care is exactly what it sounds like. We are going back to simple. Simple is effective. We do not touch insurance. We cut out the middleman and create that direct relationship between the doctor and the patient.”As healthcare costs continue to rise and...
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.
Rethinking Healthcare Costs: How DPC Memberships and Healthshares Save You Money and Stress
Article Highlights
- Rising healthcare costs and expiring premium subsidies are pushing families to explore alternatives to traditional insurance.
- Direct Primary Care (DPC) offers a membership based model emphasizing accessibility, transparency, and strong patient-physician relationships.
- DPC memberships cover preventive care, chronic disease management, immunizations, and same day or urgent visits without insurance billing.
- Healthshares provide community-based financial support for larger, unexpected medical events, with members responsible for an Initial Unshareable Amount per event.
- Presenting as a self-pay patient can unlock direct pay discounts and significant savings, making the combination of DPC and Healthshares a flexible, affordable healthcare solution.
Meet the Newest Members of the Zion HealthShare Board
Article Highlights
- Zion HealthShare added three new board members: Wendy Elkington Stabler, Sid Rao, and Leo Rocha.
- Each brings valuable experience to strengthen the Zion HealthShare community.
- Their leadership supports Zion HealthShare’s growth as an affordable, people-first medical cost-sharing community.
The Heart of Zion HealthShare: Community, Connection, and our Namesake
Article Highlights
- Zion HealthShare is named after Zion National Park, symbolizing sanctuary, unity, and community values.
- Founded in St. George, Utah, Zion HealthShare is a nonprofit medical cost-sharing community open to individuals, families, and businesses.
- Members contribute monthly to share eligible medical expenses, promoting affordability and mutual support.
- Zion HealthShare emphasizes transparency, simplicity, wellness, and freedom to choose any provider.
- Zion HealthShare was named the #1 Overall Top Rated HealthShare for 2025, due to its community-focused model.
How to Save on Prescription Drug Costs in 2025
Article Highlights
- U.S. prescription drug spending reached $378 billion in 2023, driven by unregulated prices, PBMs, and limited generics.
- Strategies to reduce costs include comparing prices, choosing generics, and leveraging assistance or government programs.
- Zion HealthShare members access Zion RxShare for steep prescription discounts, transparent pricing, and convenient home delivery.
- Zion HealthShare’s community-driven approach reduces financial stress and simplifies healthcare for members.
Navigating State Mandates: How Zion HealthShare Fits In
Article Highlights
- Some states, including California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Washington D.C., and Washington State, require residents to maintain qualifying health coverage or claim an exemption.
- Zion HealthShare is a nonprofit health sharing community and not insurance, but members in many states may qualify for exemptions from individual mandate penalties.
- Exemption eligibility varies by state and may require submitting specific tax forms, such as FTB 3853 in California or D-210 in Washington D.C.
- Washington State has stricter regulations, and Zion HealthShare does not currently qualify as a Health Care Sharing Ministry under state law.
- Members should review their state’s rules, submit required documentation, and consult a tax professional to ensure compliance with health coverage mandates.
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.