When I was insured, I felt like I paid for everything. With Christian Healthcare Ministries, I actually get coverage for my medical bills.
Christian Healthcare Ministries was the solution for our family when seeking out a less expensive alternative to insurance. Over 4 years ago, a job change meant that insurance premiums would no longer have employer coverage. The insurance plans we researched with the highest deductible limits and the “lowest” monthly premiums would have cost our family of 5 over $1,000 a month. We made the auspicious switch to cost sharing, and I’ve been happy ever since! 😄
In this Christian Healthcare Ministries Review, I will share the top 5 things I love about Christian Healthcare Ministries, the 2 processes I would like to see CHM improve, and list several of the benefits of membership.
The Top 5 Advantages of Membership at CHM
Effective Monthly Contributions
Christian Healthcare Ministries is everything I wish insurance was. You pay a monthly amount, which isn’t ridiculously high, you seek medical care anywhere at the time need to, and then the program HELPS COVER YOUR COSTS. With traditional insurance I felt like I was paying each month only for potential “just in case” emergency scenarios. While it is critical to make sure your family can meet the financial burden of a medical emergency, it’s also ideal to have some coverage for average expenses like broken bones, pregnancy costs, etc. Happily, the latter description is what you get with cost sharing at CHM.
Last summer my 10-yr old son broke his ankle. When his total bills for Dr visits, X-rays, etc were around $1,500, I got a check for $516.90 from CHM to reimburse the eligible portion of our medical bills for the incident. Had any other incidents occurred after that for ANY of our children, the medical bills would have been covered in full.
Members of CHM can select varying levels of participation. At the top tier, known as gold, your personal responsibility in a year is $1,000. This means that you will personally cover the first $1,000 in medical expenses accrued throughout the year, then any additional expenses (of incidents with a total cost of more than $1,000, see graphic below) will be eligible to be shared–in other words paid for/reimbursed by CHM. At the time this article was written, at this level you would pay $240 per month. This is for no network requirements, a $125,000 maximum per incident coverage (maximum can be increased with CHM plus), and very few restrictions on qualifying bills. The value cannot be overstated.
Note: When you are a CHM member be sure to submit all medical bills in a year, even ones your family will be covering completely! In this way your personal responsibility will be best accounted for.
All Children Count as One Unit
As the parent of a large family, this is my favorite thing about Christian Healthcare Ministries. Each member of the family that you pay a monthly gift for at CHM is known as a unit. In my family, my husband is one unit, I am one unit, and our 4 kids are one unit. When we add 3 children to our family via adoption in the next months, the kids will still remain as one unit, which means our monthly healthcare expenses won’t rise at all. In this way, Christian Healthcare Ministries provides invaluable support to families. Whether you have 1 child or 10, the monthly contribution is the same. The personal responsibility remains the same as well, so if multiple children have a medical incident in a year, it’s likely the later ones will be completely paid for.
Complete Maternity Coverage
With CHM you can expand your family securely. As long as you became a gold member a month or 2 before becoming pregnant (For a pregnancy to be eligible for sharing, the mother must have joined CHM Gold at least 300 days before their doctor’s estimate of due date), your maternity expenses are eligible to be shared by CHM. Every OBGYN visit, each ultrasound, any hospital stay, the total expenses from the birth itself–any cost you occur during pregnancy and birth can be covered, and the first expenses for the baby as well. I can also attest that in the unfortunate event of a miscarriage, those costs are eligible. It brings comfort to know that in a time of grief the financial support will remain.
At CHM, families are celebrated as part of Christian life, thus the expenses of welcoming your baby home is shared by all. ❤️
Ease of Submitting Required Paperwork
In recent years, CHM has digitized and simplified their medical bill submission. Simply log in, follow the prompts, upload itemized copies of your bills and or receipts, and you’re done in no time. The screen prompts are easy to follow and the process is as painless as possible.
True Care and Concern
I recently had some questions about bills I had submitted for sharing. I called Christian Healthcare Ministries and was astounded at the quality of help that I received. I was connected to a live person quickly who listened well, explained things beautifully, and offered a quick and effective way to resolve the problem I was facing. If you are ever confused or worried, CALL THEM. They stand ready to assist you. They also have a program where members can contribute additional amounts to help cover costs that weren’t eligible per the program requirements, and where members pray for your peace and healing. CHM is a beautiful program that is truly aimed at helping us care for one another.
==> See how Christian Healthcare Ministries can benefit you ❤️
The Two Most Needed Improvements
Turn Around Time Speeded Up
Once your bills have been submitted for a medical incident, the time for those bills to be shared and money sent to you is between 70-85 days. I understand that processing takes time, and I actually think this is fairly reasonable. I just love that moment when the bills are completely taken care of, fully paid off, no longer my concern in any way. I would love to see CHM improve their turn around time, getting money back to their members within a few weeks. As the program currently operates, individuals often need to set up a payment plan with their bill provider and pay a small portion of their bills before receiving the funds from CHM.
Stop Increasing Gift Amounts
As with any program, the participation requirements change over time. Since I joined CHM, the monthly contribution requirements have increased at the start of almost every year. As the affordability of membership is one of my main reasons for being a member, I wish they would guarantee a set dollar amount for several years before requiring an increase. Since CHM relies on the contributions of its members to meet everyone’s needs, I can see how these adjustments were deemed necessary, but I still don’t like the thought of my monthly medical costs continuing to go up. I am hopeful that CHM will continue to provide good value for years to come.
Other CHM Benefits
If you’d like to read more about the various features of membership at CHM, I’ve listed several below!
Flexibility to Choose Your Provider
CHM members have the freedom to choose their healthcare providers. This means they can select doctors, specialists, and hospitals that align with their personal preferences and needs. Traditional health insurance plans often come with limitations on which healthcare providers you can visit. Christian Healthcare Ministries, on the other hand, allows its members to choose their preferred healthcare providers without any network restrictions. The ability to maintain existing relationships with trusted healthcare professionals is a considerable advantage.
Member-Controlled Health Decisions
CHM empowers its members to be in control of their healthcare decisions. Instead of insurance companies dictating the terms of care, members can make informed choices that align with their beliefs and values. This autonomy fosters a sense of agency and personal responsibility in healthcare.
Faith-Based Approach
Christian Healthcare Ministries is rooted in faith, making it an attractive option for devout Christians who want to align their healthcare choices with their religious beliefs. Members of CHM appreciate the organization’s commitment to sharing the medical expenses of fellow believers, which reflects the biblical principle of bearing one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). This faith-based approach fosters a sense of community and mutual support among members.
Eligibility
Another notable advantage of CHM is its inclusivity. Unlike many insurance plans that have strict eligibility criteria, Christian Healthcare Ministries accepts individuals and families of various ages and health conditions. There are no medical exams or restrictions based on pre-existing conditions, which means that virtually anyone can become a member, provided they live according to Christian standards such as not drinking and smoking.
Growing Membership and Stability
CHM’s growing membership base contributes to the financial stability of the organization. As more members join, the risk pool expands, reducing the overall financial burden on individual participants. This growth and stability have allowed CHM to consistently meet its sharing commitments, providing peace of mind to its members.
A Shared Sense of Responsibility
CHM members appreciate the sense of shared responsibility that comes with the cost-sharing model. Instead of dealing with faceless insurance companies, members know that they are contributing directly to help fellow believers in their time of need. This communal aspect fosters a deep sense of responsibility and empathy among members.
Personalized Support and Prayer
One unique feature of CHM is its commitment to offering personalized support and prayer for its members. The organization has a dedicated Member Advocate team that assists individuals throughout the sharing process, helping to navigate the complex healthcare landscape. This emotional and spiritual support is a comforting aspect for many members, who appreciate the prayers and encouragement during challenging times.
Bring-A-Friend Program
The Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM) “Bring a Friend” program is a remarkable initiative that offers a host of benefits for both existing members and potential new members. Current members who refer friends or family can enjoy reduced monthly membership fees, making healthcare sharing more affordable. New members joining through this program also benefit from CHM’s cost-sharing for medical expenses and the support of a compassionate community.
International Coverage
For those who frequently travel abroad or reside outside the United States, Christian Healthcare Ministries offers international coverage. This means that members can seek medical treatment and have their expenses shared, even when they are outside the country.
Financial Stewardship
Christian Healthcare Ministries promotes the idea of financial stewardship, emphasizing responsible financial choices and prudent healthcare spending. By sharing in the cost of medical expenses directly, members often become more conscious of their healthcare choices, resulting in cost-effective decision-making and better overall financial health.
Conclusion
Christian Healthcare Ministries is an effective option for your family’s medical financial needs. They are easy and caring to work with, allow for flexibility in medical care, cost less than conventional insurance premiums, and believe in and support large families. Join us here: Find a Healthcare Home with CHM.
May your family bond be unbreakable,
Jess
I just read your review on Christian Healthcare Ministries, and it’s so insightful! Your personal experience shines through, and it’s evident that you’ve put a lot of thought and care into this review. As someone who’s been considering healthcare options, your perspective is incredibly valuable. Thanks for sharing your journey and helping others make informed decisions about their healthcare!
Thank you so much Dave! I appreciate your supportive words; they make me feel that the time and thought I spent on the article was valued. If you ever have any questions regarding Christian Healthcare Ministries, please feel free to reach out!
The review on Christian ministries is detailed. The coverages on the Gold and gold plus program needs a little more detail on the cost. Are there special discounts on these memberships? That needs to be discussed a little more detail. How much of a discount is there for the gold plus membership?
Thank you for thoughts; they helped me improve my article! I have included an infographic in the body of the post that shows the varying options for membership.
CHM Plus can be added to any of the participation levels–Gold, Silver, Bronze, or Seniorshare–for $27 per unit per month. It functions to remove the $125,000 limit per incident in the case of high expense medical needs.
Thanks again and let me know if I can answer any further questions!
Hey this looks like something that I am going to look into a little bit more. I didn’t know an option like this was actually available and I like a lot of the benefits. I think you did a good job of this review here and cover everything honestly and thoroughly so thanks for that. Have a good day.
I’m glad it was helpful! 🙂 I think a lot of people don’t realize what a helpful option cost sharing is. I hope you have a good day as well!
I thought the insurance offered through my work was good, but CHM is even better, even if it is just by $5-10 a payment. That adds up fast, so I may be making the switch soon. I do have a question though, you said this insurance premium increases each year. How much of an increase has it been?
I also am not super crazy about the Turn-Around time. The plan I currently have is pretty fast, like a week or two, from what I have heard. So far I have been fortunate enough to not have had to use my insurance.
Thanks for this review of Christian Healthcare Ministries, before I roll over with my work benefits, I will be checking into a plan with CHM to see if they can meet or beat my current deal. I will be dropping my daughter off this next term as well so that will change many of my costs.
I will be back in a few months, I have you in my bookmarks.
Stacie
Sounds great! Thank you for bookmarking me!
The prices shown in the article are the current costs for 2024. 🙂 Looking back at our payments, from 2023 to 2024 one unit increased in price about $9. The year before that was a bigger increase, about $23 per unit.
Have you noticed an increase in insurance premiums from year to year as well?
Thank you for your comment!
Medical insurance can be so expensive, specially if you have a large family. So it was very interesting to come across this review on Christian Healthcare Ministries, a health insurance provider that I had not heard of before.
It is great to see that children, regardless of how many in the family, counts as only one unit, thus keeping the insurance cost for a family at an affordable level.
So if I understand it correctly, the insurance is based on the amount of members, who all help to cover one another’s expenses. You mention that there are benefits in introducing new members to the insurance plan. But does one then get a reduction in your own insurance costs? Can you please explain more how this would work? Thank you.
If a new member joins after clicking on your referral link, you get money to go towards your monthly payment or medical expenses! At one point I know it was equal to one free month for each successful referral. I’m not sure if it’s still that amount exactly!
I’ve been exploring different healthcare sharing ministries as an alternative to traditional insurance and found this concept very interesting. I’m particularly curious about how seamless the process of bill sharing and negotiations is in reality. Can someone share their firsthand experience, especially with larger or unexpected medical expenses? How well do they communicate the shares and the reporting system to you? Thank you!
When working with CHM, you are well informed of everything happening because you have medical providers bill you directly, then you submit those bills to CHM for processing. You take care of your own bills, but CHM sends a reimbursement check to you in your name. If there are ever concerns or hang ups, a representative from CHM will email you.
I don’t have any large medical expenses, but I have had some unexpected ones. In 2022 I went through a miscarriage. There was some cost involved (thousands) for the care I received, and it was covered in full because I was a gold member. I had lots on my mind in that hard time, but I was grateful the bills were taken care of.
If anyone else wants to chime in with their experience, we’d love to hear it!
Hi
This article provides a comprehensive review of Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM) and offers valuable insights for anyone considering this healthcare option.
The discussion on the topic is thorough, covering key aspects such as eligibility, coverage, and member experiences.
As someone who has researched CHM extensively, I can attest to the importance of understanding how it works and whether it aligns with one’s healthcare needs and beliefs.
The article does a great job of presenting both the pros and cons, allowing readers to make informed decisions.
I appreciate the personal experiences shared, as they provide valuable context and help readers understand what to expect as CHM members.
Overall, this review offers a balanced perspective and is a valuable resource for anyone exploring alternatives to traditional health insurance.
Thank you Shafiq! I appreciate your positive feedback on this review! I hope many others find it helpful as well.
Hello Jessica,
Wow, what an inspiring testimonial! It’s truly heartening to hear stories like these where families find not just a solution but a lifeline in Christian Healthcare Ministries. The flexibility, affordability, and genuine care that CHM offers seem unparalleled. I’m particularly impressed by how they prioritize not just financial assistance but also emotional and spiritual support, truly embodying the essence of community and compassion.
it’s evident why so many families, including yours, have chosen this path. The ability to control healthcare decisions, the inclusive nature of membership, and the shared sense of responsibility are values that resonate deeply, especially in today’s uncertain times.
Moreover, the improvements suggested, such as expediting the turnaround time for sharing medical bills and stabilizing monthly contributions, demonstrate CHM’s commitment to continually enhancing their services for the benefit of their members.
Thank you.
Thank you Makinde for taking the time to comment! Your encouraging words are just what I needed on a gray day.
I want others to know what Christian Healthcare Ministries has to offer since it has made such a difference in our life! Especially that you know you can afford to grow your family and take care of their healthcare needs. ❤️
Thank you for sharing your personal journey with Christian Healthcare Ministries! Your insights into the advantages of membership, such as the effective monthly contributions, coverage for all children as one unit, and complete maternity coverage, provide valuable information. It’s reassuring to hear about the ease of submitting required paperwork and the genuine care and concern from the CHM team. Your suggestions for improvements reflect a thoughtful perspective. As someone interested in healthcare alternatives, your detailed review has sparked my curiosity about CHM’s faith-based approach and unique features. Looking forward to exploring the benefits further! 😊👍 #Healthcare #ChristianHealthcareMinistries #CHMReview
Hi Kyle! Thanks so much! I’d love to hear about your experience if you ever try it out!
Thank you for sharing your review of Christian Healthcare Ministries. It’s fascinating to learn about alternative healthcare options, especially those rooted in faith-based communities. Have you encountered any challenges or limitations with this program that users should be aware of? Understanding both the benefits and potential drawbacks can help individuals make informed decisions about their healthcare.
As someone interested in exploring different healthcare options, I appreciate your detailed breakdown of the enrollment process and coverage options. It’s reassuring to know that there are alternatives outside of traditional insurance plans. Have you noticed any significant differences in the quality of care or access to healthcare providers compared to mainstream insurance plans? Your insights would be valuable for those considering Christian Healthcare Ministries. Thank you for shedding light on this unique approach to healthcare coverage!
Thanks Pasindu!
I’m glad you mentioned limitations; there are a few to be aware of! The first is that the program is faith-based. They will ask you which religion you belong to (I wasn’t sure if mine would qualify for their definition of Christian but it did!), and if you live according to several standards, including not using drugs or abusing alcohol. It is designed to be a community of people who strive to keep themselves healthy already.
The second limitation is that of pre-existing conditions. Similar to traditional insurance, most pre-existing conditions won’t qualify to be shared (covered). HOWEVER, an added benefit that CHM has is that you can submit a medical need that doesn’t qualify to their prayer page. Members will pray for your concerns, and they can donate to your medical need as a charitable donation. CHM truly strives to minister to all they can!
As far as providers go, CHM is much more valuable than traditional insurance. There is no approved network. Any verified medical practice will qualify, and all of the care, medications, treatment, etc. The common headache of “will my insurance cover this?” is gone. There are still a few limitations depending on your level of participation, for example ambulance rides may not be covered, but for the most part it’s comprehensive.
Hello Jessica,
I just read through you site and what I gather is that CHM is a health care cost sharing for Christians where members pool their resources to help cover each others costs. Very interesting concept. I like it.
In other words, CHM provides an alternative healthcare solution for Christians who are looking for a community-type approach to managing medical expenses. I’ve heard of something like this before and seems very efficient.
You are correct in saying the turn around time of nearly 3 months is way to long to wait. They do need to work on that for sure.
Thx!
This sounds really amazing!
It’s great that you’ve found something that works well for your family, I was especially amazed by the fact that all children are included as one unit, I’m sure that’s of great help to so many people.
Thank you for sharing your perspective, it really helps to gain an insiders view to these kinds of things, and hopefully many more people will find relief in this service.
Thank you again for sharing!
What a thorough review of Christian Healthcare Ministries! It’s clear you’ve had a positive experience with them. I’m curious, have you found any particular challenges or areas where you wish CHM would improve further beyond the turnaround time and the potential for increasing gift amounts? Also, given your satisfaction with their approach, how do you think CHM compares to traditional insurance when it comes to meeting the needs of families, especially those with varying healthcare requirements?
It’s almost unheard of that medical coverage is so cheap. I especially like the fact that no matter how many children you have, the cover amount stays the same. This will be a huge saving for families with more than one child.
I also like the fact that if you introduce someone to the insurance, you get a discount. Not many insurance companies can make these claims.
Yes, those are some of my favorite things too! We will have 7 children before long, it would be impossible to afford traditional insurance! 😱