How CHM offers a faith-based alternative to health insurance

Since 1981, Christian Healthcare Ministries has offered a faith-based alternative to medical insurance that allows its members to access care and share costs with those who hold similar beliefs.

CHM is the nation’s first and longest-serving health cost-sharing ministry. More than 68,000 families in all 50 states received help through sharing CHM’s support in 2023, which represents a small portion of the almost 400,000 members. Since its inception, CHM has shared 100% of eligible medical bills, totaling more than $11 billion. Additionally, according to CHM, members often receive discounts of 45% or more, saving tens or up to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Headquartered in northeastern Ohio, CHM is a nonprofit organization, not an insurance company. Led by President and CEO J. Craig Brown II, CHM is a 501(c)(3) accredited organization and a Better Business Bureau Accredited Charity.

Their health cost sharing program provides a cost-effective, accountable and faith-based framework to help members facing health crises.

Read on to learn more about their cost-sharing programs.

While CHM has been around for over 40 years, the concept dates back 2,000 years, when the early Christian church “held all things in common” and “followed the Apostles as they prioritized meeting the needs of the poor, the oppressed and their Christian family,” according to CHM. At its core, CHM is a ministry rooted in values that encourage Christians to “bear one another’s burdens,” as outlined in Galatians 6:2 and Acts 2 and 4, and its members are an extension of those beliefs.

Here's how it works in practice.

In the most basic terms, CHM members pay into a collective, and when a member submits an eligible medical bill, the collective fund is used to support fellow members. Members choose one of four programs: CHM Gold, CHM Silver, CHM Bronze or CHM SeniorShare. The program each member is enrolled in dictates which kinds of bills are eligible for reimbursement from the collective fund. Members can also add CHM Plus for protection against catastrophic medical bills.

Members have the freedom to see any health care provider they choose, with no network restrictions. Then, they upload eligible bills and answer a few simple questions on an online portal. Finally, CHM takes care of the bills, and the member receives the funds. Since there is no contract, members are in control of when and how they participate. CHM has no waiting period, so members can start as soon as they apply. CHM has a maximum limit of $125,000 for each illness, with additional support available via the CHM Plus plan. Plans are available for individuals, couples and families with children – who count as one “unit” for the same cost no matter how many kids there are.

CHM plans are designed to be a cost-effective alternative to health insurance plans. CHM is a federally certified exemption to the individual mandate under the U.S. Affordable Care Act. They have an eligible option for individuals and families under the national health care law.

There are some restrictions, most of which are related to the values of the members. Participating adults must be Christians who attend worship regularly as their health permits, according to Hebrews 10:25. They must actively follow the teachings of the New Testament in its entirety and live a lifestyle consistent with the CHM Statements of Beliefs. Members support each other in prayer and love as part of a program that aligns with their Christian beliefs.

Learn more at https://chministries.org/.

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