Insurance sucks. I'll just start out by saying that. I feel like it's Mafia-level gangland behavior - constantly rising rates, fear-mongering tactics, government goon backed and required coverage, and less and less in return for what you're paying. These health insurance companies simply don't seem to give a shit much about our health at all. They are in bed with the pharmaceutical companies, which are in bed with the government, all forcing you to pay exorbitant rates... or else. Plus, the incentives are quite literally backward. There's no "reward" for a healthy society, quite the opposite. When you're sick, everyone gets a pay day on the other end. The medical system at large (while with few exceptions), wants to make you a lifetime customer of treatments, visits, and prescriptions. So what is a (generally) healthy person to do? A young person without the income to afford decent insurance? An entrepreneur without access to corporate coverage? A woman in her child-bearing years? A family needing medical access for their children? I just might have the solution for you!
When I turned 26, I was kicked off my parents' health insurance, as many young adults are. I went a short time without anything, mostly because I couldn't figure out what to do next. But I knew I needed something. A short while later, my parents discovered Christian Healthcare Ministries. They are a totally legit and legal alternative to traditional health insurance offered to people of the Christian Faith. It works the way traditional insurance was supposed to. Everyone chips in their part to help pay for those in need within the community. And it works!
When I've told my ailing friends about this in the past, I have been typically met with responses like, "How is this possible?" or "How could all that be covered? There must be strings attached." But I can assure you, there are not. Their format is simple and transparent. And my favorite part - when you call or email, an actual human responds to you in a short amount of time. And they are always knowledgable and polite! Insane to have to say that's a perk, but you all know how unusual that is when getting customer service nowadays, especially from an insurance provider.
I have saved thousands of dollars per year, compared to regular insurance rates, and literally hundreds of thousands when you factor in all of the expenses they have completely covered. There are currently four tiers of membership (starting at just $92/month!), and you can choose which is best for you personally. Plus, as a mom with three kids now, I'd like to also share that your monthly bill does not increase after your first kid! So for my family of five, I only pay for my husband, myself, and one child unit. Their website has all of the information publicly displayed regarding what is covered, and after almost ten years as a member, I have not had a single significant medical incident not reimbursed. Here's some of the things I've submitted for over the last few years:
3 pregnancies (all prenatal care, ultrasounds, and labor/delivery fees) + pelvic floor physical therapy during and postpartum
several months of newborn doctor appointments
treatment for a torn ACL after a ski accident + physical therapy before surgery
MRIs and X-rays
ACL reconstruction surgery + physical therapy in the months that followed
Prescriptions & medications
Equipment related to injuries & rehabilitation
Just the above alone has far outweighed what I pay monthly!
Over the years, a lot of people have asked me how I've afforded some of these things "without insurance." This is how! I have been extremely satisfied with them, and would definitely highly recommend. They've even helped me search for clinics and practitioners when I've needed assistance!
The only "learning curve" to make mention of, for anyone who is thinking about transitioning to this alternative form of medical coverage, is that instead of carrying around an insurance card with you and having to go back and forth to discuss co-pays, coverage, who is and isn't in network, you can go anywhere you want. Depending on which level of membership you choose, different limits exist. I have the highest tier options available, so that's why everything I've mentioned was always included, plus any catastrophic events that could occur. (Need that peace of mind!) But all you do is go up to the front desk, tell them you're a "self pay" customer, have them bill you later if that's an option, or supply the "non-insurance" rate to you on the spot, and pay the bill however you choose. Then you take a copy of that superbill with the services detailed on it accordingly, and submit it through your CHM member portal. They will review the materials, and literally cut you a check for everything that qualifies. That's it. No surprises. No BS. No switch-ups. Just exactly what you signed up for.
Plus, the medical companies and physical therapists love that they don't need to deal with insurance either. If you ever ask any of them, insurance is their nightmare. (More and more practices are refusing to even accept it at all!) They take a long time to pay, do everything they can not to, and can even inadvertently force practitioners into charging higher prices to cover all the related expenses for dealing with them. I was super surprised to find out how little of my bill was actually going to my doctors or therapists. (Like an actual fraction of the full rate!) Even my lab fees for bloodwork would go from thousands to almost nothing after I requested a non-insurance discount to be applied! That is how nonsensical this entire system has become. Being a "self-pay" customer takes all the guesswork out of it - you just pay what is actually owed to cover your service (knowing you'll be reimbursed for whatever qualifies under your chosen tier), and your practitioner gets what they have earned for helping you with your needs on the spot. A win-win!
If you have any questions you want to run by me personally about my experience with CHM, feel free to reach out anytime! I'm happy to share. :)
And you can get more info about Christian Healthcare Ministries or sign up here!
Here's to a happy, healthy, and prosperous life, my friends!
*Please note I receive credit to my account for all referrals from this link. I appreciate your support very much; it helps me keep doing what I do! And know that if you join, you will have the same option for referring any friends to help cover your membership expenses, too. :)