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Compare Christian HealthCare: an alternative solution

Christian Healthcare is not insurance, however it serves the same purpose and mostly they offer the essentially the same benefits,

with (much) lower out-of-pocket expenses. The monthly premium -which is a lot less- is invested in an not-for-profit organization

instead of a commercial money-making business.

Members pay a monthly 'share' (premium). These funds all go into one account and medical bills among the members are shared from this account. 

I compared the two major Christian healthcare organizations below and found -for many reasons- that Christian Healthcare Ministries is the best one out there, which I'll explain below. The ministry is also supported and recommended by Dave Ramsey (the Christian financial guru).

Compare Christian HealthCare VS Medi-Share ** 2023 update **

Christian Healthcare
Gold Plan 
Any age
$1,000 out of pocket

(best plan available)

 

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Monthly Cost, per person

$235.00 -  Gold Plan (no matter your age)

A family of 3+ pays maximum $705 regardless size of household or age. If you add "Brothers Keepers" for an unlimited dollar amount coverage per medical event, you pay $22 per member. Lesser expensive plans available (Silver $135, Bronze $90 per month).

 

Total annual cost including monthly 'premium', fees, Brothers Keepers,  setup etc.

$3,084 -includes Gold plan and Brother keepers program (which includes an unlimited coverage amount per medical event).

Lifetime max coverage

Unlimited coverage (Gold plan) -no maximum- with the Brothers Keepers program (included in the yearly price above). If you don't choose for the

optional Brothers Keepers Program the Max coverage for the Gold plan is $125,000 per medical event (there is no lifetime max coverage).

Out of pocket expenses, before your bill is covered ("deductible")

$1,000 per year, per person as long as all your total bills add up to be $1,000 or more -after discount for a covered medical event. 

Pre-existing conditions covered?

Yes, immediate limited coverage:

Year one $15,000 coverage

Year two $10,000 additional coverage (max $25,000 for 2 years)

Year three $25,000 additional coverage (max $50,000 for 3 years)

Year four and beyond: your condition is no longer seen as 'pre-existing'. So after 3 years you have unlimited amount because of Brothers Keepers program.

IF you have a medical event within the first 4 years, and the total bills for a covered medical event is more expensive than your coverage, you can be added to the prayer page where many CHM members will donate money to help you with your bills. CHM members donate millions of dollars per year to other members on the prayer page.

Maternity included? Maternity copay?

Yes, awesome maternity program included. Coverage from A-Z. Unlimited dollars coverage with Brothers Keepers. You pay a $1,500 copay or $1,000

copay if you are willing to go thru a pregnancy training/prep.

Doctor / Facility / Hospital network?

See any doctor and choose any facility you like! There are no network restrictions what so ever.

Wellness/Routine covered?

Yes, covered with the Gold plan if your total bills (visit, labs, test etc) are over $1,000. If your routine visit is less than $1,000 for all bills together, there is no coverage (you typically get great "self-pay" discount at most offices. Click here for detailed information).

Some test like Endoscopy and Colonoscopy etc. are covered ($1,000 out of pocket with the Gold plan

Doctor's office visit coverage

For Gold plan members: If your bills are over $1,000 (due to blood work, x-rays, follow up visit etc.) you will be covered. For regular doctors below $1,000 you can not submit for reimbursement, but you typically get a great self-pay discount at most medical facilities/offices, see "money saving tips: on next page

 

Can I talk to a doctor online (telemedicine) and

is Dental and Vision included? 

Included for every CHM member (as of October 2021). CHM members can connect with doctors free of charge over the phone or through video chat. Telemedicine provides a practical solution for a wide range of non-emergency conditions. You will have easy 24/7 access to US licensed physicians. 

ER Copay?

No copay other than your $1,000 personal Responsibility (PR), if your bill is over $1,000 (which the typical ER bill is). You negotiate discount after you say that

you are self-pay, setup a payment plan until you get reimbursement from CHM.

 

 

Hospitalization in/out patient included?

Yes included. For covered medical events and the bill has to reach $1,000

before CHM will pay, which is easy to do with a hospital bill.

 

 

 

 

 

Surgery included?

Yes included. For covered medical events only and the bill has to reach $1,000 before CHM will pay (what surgical bill is below $1,000 anyways?)

 

 

 

 

How to submit your medical bill(s)

Easy Online system. Fill in the online forms, scan in your receipts and submit them with the claim form.

 

 

Doctors / Medical facility discount?

You negotiate discounts (they have guides. If no discounts offered by the medical facility CHM will help you negotiate.

 

 

 

OK if I have Medicare?

Yes! in that case CHM works as a supplemental insurance and CHM will pick up the 20% Medicare doesn't cover for covered medical events. Simply submit your Medicare statement (no need to keep track of your receipts).  Your PR - Personal Responsibility is $500 instead of $1,000.

 

 

Year organization started

1981. This is a well organized, not for profit organization with a financial stable history. They haven't missed any eligible payments because of financial issues and they haven't raised their prices for nearly a decade.

Medi-Share
3000 AHP Plan
Age 40 
$3,000 out of pocket plan

(Best plan available)

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Monthly Cost, per person

$291.00 -  based on 'oldest' member in house hold age 40, with a $3,000 'deductible'. Medi-Share bases the premium on your age and zipcode. 

Please note that there might be an additional $99.00 fee, per month if you are not of healthy weight, or have high blood pressure. Medi-share bases this on weight, cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes and other criteria.

Total annual cost including monthly 'premium', fees, setup etc.

$3,544.50. Please note that there might be an additional $99 fee per month if you are not "healthy". Medi-share bases this on weight, cholesterol, blood pressure, pre-existing conditions and other criteria. 

Lifetime max coverage

Up to $1,000,000. See also pre-existing conditions below.

Out of pocket expenses, before your bill is covered ("deductible")

$3,000 (family deductible per year) for a covered medical event.

Also additional copays on doctor visits and ER visits

 

 

Pre-existing conditions covered?

After being a member for 3 years you have coverage for pre-existing conditions. There is NO coverage for the pre-existing condition(s) in the first 3 years.

If you didn't had any symptoms or treatment in the last 3 years, or when you are a member for 3 years, then you will get $100,000 coverage per year. Up to $500,000 if you didn't have any treatment or symptoms in the last 5 years, or when you are a member for 5 years.

 

 

Maternity included? Maternity copay?

Yes, it's only available to members with a Annual Household Portion ("deductible") of $3,000 or more. So your out of pocket expenses are at least $3,000.00 +co-pays. Max coverage is $125,000.

 

Doctor / Facility / Hospital network?

Yes, Medi-Share has their own network, however you can choose to go out of network but you end up paying 20% more per bill. 

Wellness/Routine covered?

No, you are a self-pay patient. If your routine checks out 'all healthy', there is no coverage (you typically get great "self-pay" discount at the doctor's office).

Doctor's office visit coverage

Medi-Share has a copay of $35.00 when you go to an in-network doctor. However you still get billed later on from the doctor's office for the remaining amount. The $35 is just applied towards  your total bill. The total doesn't count towards your 'deductible'

Can I talk to a doctor online (telemedicine) and

is Dental and Vision included? 

Included with Medi-share as a discount plan, from Carington.com. For regular doctors visits you typically get a great self-pay discount, see "money saving tips: on next page.

ER Copay?

Copay of $200.00 when you go to the ER.

You are responsible for your 'deductible' as well ($3,000) in this example

 

Hospitalization in/out patient included?

Yes included, you are responsible for your copays and deductibles (in this example there is a $3,000 deductible)

 

 

 

Surgery included?

Subject to program guide lines and deductible. Other limitations may apply.

You will pay at least your 'deductible' of $3,000

 

How to submit your medical bill(s)

If you choose an in-network provider, they will bill for you. However it's a limited choice you have from in-network providers. If you go out of network they have an easy online system. Fill in the online forms, scan in your receipts and submit them with the claim form.

 

 

Doctors / Medical facility discount?

When you go to an in-network provider the prices are set per contract.

 

OK if I have Medicare?

Yes you can combine Medicare with Medishare

 

 

Year organization started

1993. This is a well organized, not for profit organisation with a financial stable history. However they do spend a lot of money on advertising (you hear them on the radio all the time) which is very costly, and technically you are the one paying for that!

We only compared the best plans with the lowest out-of-pocket expenses / deductible. The reason that we didn't compare the 'lower' plans, is because of the 'deductible'/out of pocket expenses are extreme, just like commercial insurance.

Ask yourself this question: Do you have $5,000 - $10,000 'deductible' to pay before any medical bills are shared? 

Not many people do, so that's why it is smart to invest in a better plan, which still saves you lot's of money, and in case of a medical event you can have a $0 deductible!

There are many 'sharing' organisations popping up everywhere. Be aware that some of them are not 'non-profit' organisations,

meaning they are a business, they are in it to make money. This is why I compared the two largest Christian non-profit organisations. Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM) and Medi-Share, both proven financial stability and in existence for a long time.


Please note that you have to be a Christian and you have to follow Christian guidelines and have a Christian lifestyle to be eligible for any of these organizations.

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