How does Planstin Membership keep healthcare simple and affordable?

Every company claims to make healthcare more affordable — but how is what really matters.  

Premiums are expected to rise again in 2026, and for most individuals and families, that feels discouraging. The traditional system wasn’t built around people; it was built around insurance companies. That’s why even small procedures can come with confusing bills and big costs.

At Planstin, we saw a better way forward. Instead of building another insurance plan, we created a membership-based option that connects proven solutions — Direct primary care (DPC) and Zion HealthShare — into one cohesive, affordable model. 

It’s not too good to be true. It just works differently and smarter. 

Who is Planstin?  

Planstin is a third-party benefits administer that serves both businesses and individuals. Planstin Membership is the branch of Planstin that focuses on individuals and families — those who aren’t covered through an employer but still deserve dependable care. 

Our goal is simple: make healthcare easier to understand and easier to use. We help you stay healthy, get care when you need it, and avoid financial surprises — without the confusion that usually comes with insurance.  

Are you an employer? Learn how Planstin makes benefits easy >  

Our Strategy: How We Actually Keep Costs Lower 

All of Planstin’s personal memberships share the same foundation: a partnership between Direct primary care (DPC) and Zion HealthShare. Together, they cover both everyday and large medical needs and play clear roles:  

• DPC: Personalized, unlimited day-to-day care, including telehealth and mental health support.  
• Zion HealthShare: Help with preventive care, prescriptions, and large or unexpected medical costs like hospital stays, surgeries, or maternity needs. 

This model works within the current healthcare system — using providers, labs, and pharmacies you already know — but removes the inefficiencies, markups, and administrative layers that drive up costs. 

Together, DPC and HealthShare create a full, affordable alternative to traditional insurance. One that balances preventive, everyday care with reliable support for larger medical expenses. 

How Healthshares Keep Costs Affordable 

HealthShares are different. Zion HealthShare is a nonprofit organization built around community sharing rather than corporate profit. The goal isn’t to grow revenue — it’s to keep membership sustainable and fair. 

HealthShares are able to keep costs lower because they avoid or reduce many expenses that drive up insurance premiums. 

How HealthShares save: 

• No profit margins or shareholders 
• No state taxes on premiums or costly insurance mandates 
• No bloated administrative costs or claims bureaucracy 
• Fair-market pricing through care coordination and cash rates 
• Transparent member guidelines that clearly outline what’s included 

This lean, community-based structure means more of each monthly contribution goes directly toward eligible medical needs, not company profits. 

Why Direct Primary Care Works (and Why It Feels Different) 

For most people, visiting the doctor comes with waiting rooms, rushed appointments, and surprise bills. That’s because most traditional clinics rely on insurance billing to get paid. Every visit must be coded, submitted, approved, and processed — adding layers of paperwork, delays, and administrative costs that ultimately raise prices for patients. 

Direct primary care (DPC) removes that friction. Instead of billing insurance, DPC clinics use a simple monthly membership that includes most preventive and everyday care.  

How DPCs save: 

• No insurance billing, so overhead costs stay low 
• Fewer patients per doctor means longer visits and more personal care, leading to less costly visits later.  
• Predictable monthly pricing replaces copays and deductibles 
• Fair “cash pay” rates for labs, imaging, and prescriptions keep costs close to true market value 

By cutting out the insurance middleman, DPCs make care more affordable, more accessible, and more personal. 

Care Coordination: Real Support When You Need It

It is hard to know what care should cost or whether you are paying too much. That is why Planstin Membership includes care coordination. 

Instead of calling around and guessing what is “fair,” our team does that work for you. We find quality providers, compare options, secure reasonable cash rates, and line up the details so you spend less time managing healthcare and more time getting it. 

The result is fewer surprises, clearer pricing, and a faster path to care. Members often pay less than typical insurance rates for imaging, labs, and procedures because we shop options and agree on fair-market prices up front. 

For example:  

When Jane needed an MRI, she contacted care coordination. We found a provider, negotiated about 30% off, scheduled the appointment, and sent the details. She saved money and got results sooner without doing the legwork herself. 

This kind of real-time support helps keep costs down and gives you peace of mind that someone is looking out for you. 

How Planstin makes it easy - Simple Billing, One Membership

Healthcare can feel complicated. Our job is to keep yours manageable. 

With Planstin Membership, you have one login, one monthly bill, and one team helping behind the scenes. We handle both your DPC and HealthShare billing so you don’t have to juggle multiple accounts or portals. Communication is straightforward, and pricing is clear — everything you need to know is outlined in your member guidelines. 

It’s a simple, predictable system that helps you focus on your health instead of your paperwork. 

Simple, Predictable, Proven 

This approach is already trusted by thousands of families and growing communities across the country. We’re not replacing healthcare — we’re improving how it’s accessed and managed. 

Our mission is to simplify healthcare by removing barriers, keeping costs transparent, and providing a reliable, affordable option for individuals and families. 

Because when care is simple and affordable, people actually use it, and that’s when health really improves.