Liberty HealthShare vs Zion HealthShare: An HSA for America Comparison Guide
Looking to compare healthshare membership? In this edition of the HSA for America HealthShare Comparison series, in-house expert Lou Spatafore compares Liberty HealthShare vs Zion HealthShare, two of the most popular healthshare membership on the market.
Just here to compare costs? Click the Free Quote button below to run an instant quote on a healthshare membership in your area.
Q: What are HealthShare Membership?
Medical Cost Sharing Programs, usually known simply as HealthShare Membership, are an alternative way to pay for emergency or unexpected medical bills. It’s not health insurance, but rather a community-based system designed to share the cost of medical bills among members.
If you’re new to the concept of health sharing, you can get a crash course by reading our complete guide, All You Need to Know About HealthShare Memberships.
Liberty HealthShare vs Zion HealthShare: Quick Insights
- Choosing the best healthshare membership for you is about considering your personal needs; There is no single membership that would be best for everybody. Working with a Personal Benefits Manager can make it easier to find the right fit and get registered fast.
- Liberty HealthShare’s recent controversies, cost-increases, and leadership shake-ups have caused many members to seek a different membership.
- Zion HealthShare’s DIRECT and Essential membership is specially designed (and priced) for Direct Primary Care members.
- Zion HealthShare is the more affordable of the two
- Maternity care is eligible for cost-sharing through both companies
Liberty HealthShare vs Zion HealthShare: Which Membership is Best?
Liberty HealthShare Review
Liberty HealthShare offers three different cost-sharing programs, each with different monthly costs, out-of-pocket responsibilities, and added perks. Liberty Essential is the most affordable memebership starting at $159 per month. While this is higher than Zion HealthShare’s starting rates, many members appreciate the more Christian-focused atmosphere of Liberty.
Liberty’s recent rate increases were significant, and were unpopular for many members. In addition, a recently settled lawsuit against Liberty has caused some controversy. The result is that many existing Liberty members are now looking for another option.
However, Liberty recently appointed a new CEO, who has introduced a membership to address these issues and improve the member experience.
Pros and Cons of Liberty HealthShare
PROS:
- Good prescription discount programs (HealthShare RX and SavNet)
- Some preventive care services are available
- Low Initial Unshared Amount (IUA) for most membership
- Higher sharing maximum for pre-membership conditions (after 1 year of membership)
CONS:
- More expensive than Zion HealthShare
- Some controversy around recent lawsuits and unpaid bills
Zion HealthShare Review
Zion HealthShare is known for having some of the most affordable contribution amounts.
All Zion HealthShare members can augment their membership with low-cost upgrades, including pharmacy discounts, mental health services, and unlimited Teladoc. Zion HealthShare offers small businesses a more affordable alternative to employee health insurance.
Pros and Cons of Zion HealthShare Health
PROS:
- Low monthly contributions
- Direct and Essential memberships available
- Low-cost additional services available
CONS:
- Adoption and fertility expenses not shareable
- Not a good option for insulin-dependent individuals
Compare Pricing on the Best HealthShare Plans Available
Liberty Healthshare vs Zion HealthShare: Point by Point Comparison
Next, we’re going to look at how Liberty and Zion HealthShare compare when it comes to these critical factors:
- Monthly Contribution Amount: How much the healthshare membership costs per-month
- Member Responsibility Amount: The amount that needs to be paid out-of-pocket before medical bills become eligible for sharing (similar to a deductible), Zion HealthShare calls it an IUA.
- Statement of Faith / Statement of Belief: Some healthshare membership are faith-based, others are non-religious. In either case, all healthshare members must agree to certain community and health-based guidelines in order to join.
- Preventive Care: While healthshare membership are not designed for preventive care, some newer membership are offering cost sharing on select services.
- Pre-membership Conditions: Most healthshare membership have a waiting period before pre-membership conditions are considered eligible for sharing.
- Maternity Care: Maternity care is available in some, but not all healthshare programs.
Member Responsibility Amounts
*Depending on age and membership options
Liberty Healthshare “Annual Unshared Amount” (AUA):
Individual: $1,000 or $4,000
Family: $2,250, $3,000, or $10,000
Zion HealthShare (IUA): Choose from $1,000, $2,500, or $5,000 per member
Statement of Faith
Liberty Healthshare: A ‘light’ statement of belief according to Christian principles.
Zion HealthShare: None; No faith-based statement is required. However, Zion HealthShare does have Principles
of Membership.
Preventive Care
Liberty Healthshare: Annual wellness visits are shareable up to a maximum of $400. Mammograms, prostate exams, and Cologuard are eligible for sharing after two months of membership.
Zion HealthShare: 1 free annual office visit, and preventive mammograms and colonoscopies after 6 months of membership. (Note: By pairing Zion Essential with a DPC membership, it’s possible to get unrestricted preventive care in addition to emergency cost sharing).
Waiting Period of Pre-Membership Conditions
Liberty Healthshare: 1 year waiting period, $50,000 sharing maximum during years 2 and 3.
Zion HealthShare: 1 year waiting period, $25,000 sharing maximum during year 2, $50,000 cap during year 3, year 4 amount ($125,000).
Maternity Care
Liberty Healthshare: Six month waiting period (not available with the Liberty Select membership option)
Zion HealthShare: Maternity is shared as long as the member becomes pregnant after joining.
The Verdict: Liberty Healthshare vs Zion HealthShare
In terms of price and versatility, Zion HealthShare has more to offer.
In addition, recent cost increases and legal controversies have driven some members away from Liberty, and towards some of the younger healthshare companies.
This isn’t to say that Liberty isn’t still providing a viable cost sharing option for many people. There’s no question that their more explicitly faith-based structure is important for many, and some of their membership options are more comprehensive than what is available with Zion HealthShare.
Healthshare Comparison FAQ [How to Choose / Compare Healthshare Membership]
Q: Which health sharing ministry is best?
A: When comparing Liberty Healthshare vs.Zion HealthShare, many choose Zion HealthShare as the better membership due to its lower cost and better reputation. However, Liberty Healthshare offers higher sharing limits for pre-membership conditions during early years of membership.
Q: Are healthshare membership legitimate?
A: While not the same as ACA health insurance, Healthcare Sharing Membership are a viable way to cut monthly costs while maintaining emergency health protection. Healthshare membership and Health Care Sharing Ministries (HCSMs) are both 100% legal and available to everyone.
Q: Is Zion HealthShare faith-based?
A: Unlike some healthcare sharing ministries, Zion HealthShare has no faith or religion-based membership requirements.
Q: Does Zion HealthShare cover maternity?
A: Maternity costs including prenatal, delivery and postnatal care are all eligible for cost-sharing through Zion HealthShare. Unlike other HCSMs, Zion HealthShare does not charge an additional fee for maternity sharing. Members must meet their membership’s Initial Unshared Amount (IUA) before maternity costs are shared.
Q: What are the biggest Liberty Healthshare complaints?
A: In recent years, some Liberty Healthshare members have complained about turnaround times for cost sharing and slower customer service.
Catch Up on the HSA for America Healthshare Comparison Series
Start Your Healthshare Membership Today
There are no enrollment periods for health sharing membership. That means that you won’t need to wait long to have your new health membership in place.
If you’re ready to sign up, the next step is making an appointment with your Personal Benefits Manager (no-cost). We can make sure that you’re getting the best rates possible, and answer any lingering questions you have about your membership.
