Question for Freepers about Christian Health Ministries

Alberta's Child | 10/27/16 | Self

[Alberta's Child]

Thanks! I just checked them out, and it looks like all of the hospitals in my immediate area are included in their network.

[JOAT]

Ping

[4Godsoloved..Hegave]

We are with Samaritan Ministries. http://samaritanministries.org
We opted for this 3 years ago when BCBS private plan we had no longer could be sold due to Obamacare regulations kicking in. The alternative plan tripled our rates and benefits went down.
SM has been a huge blessing. We have had only one event and our out-of-pocket was $0 because we were able to get healthcare providers to reduce their rate. The rate reduced was more than the deductible and they put the rate reduced off our deductible first. It was a great surprise and gave us the extra incentive to ask for the reduction. They also have staff that assist you with negotiating these balance reductions.
We feel blessed monthly knowing we are helping our brothers and sisters out during a stressful time and also praying for these people we don’t know , but end up knowing about.
The rate went up about $60 for a few months when there were more needs submitted. When the needs passed the rate returned to the base rate.
Any other questions please ask.

[MarchonDC09122009]

Liberty Healthcare Ministries appears to be the most flexible, is available in all states, let’s you use your own docs (no network), and handles the billing.

One thing, please note that hospitals use a “chargemaster” procedure billing rate book that is often FIVE TIMES what the actual procedure should be billed at.
Some Healthcare Ministries require you to chase billing departments and pressure them for discounts.
It’s good to read this article first in order to understand one of the reasons our Healthcare system is So Screwed up.

The most revealing healthcare cost article I’ve ever read was written by Steven Brill in Time magazine who discovered the hospital’s inflated “charge master” billing scheme:

http://www.uta.edu/faculty/story/2311/Misc/2013,2,26,MedicalCostsDemandAndGreed.pdf

Here’s a sample of what a out-of-pocket payer would get hit with, versus the discount a major Healthcare insurance gets, ie: 70-80% off!

Knee arthroscopy in December 2014.

    $2760.00 – MRI
    $2159.61 – “Insurance Adjustment” / write off/discount to Cigna

    $3475.00 – Arthroscopy, knee, surgical
    $2974.26 – Insurance Adjustment to Cigna

Anesthesia, hospital, and other related costs were similarly adjusted.

More healthcare ministry review information:

http://selfpaypatient.com/2013/11/27/health-care-sharing-ministry-members-share-their-experiences/

https://pricinghealthcare.com/vendors/types/healthSharingMinistries/110

[Dr. Sivana]

My family was on Christian Healthcare Ministries. We had the minimum plan ($135/month, year was 2010 or so) and never wound up using it. They seemed on the up and up, though. No smokers. Need okay from priest or minister.