Why We Use a Health Share
Let’s just get this out of the way first:
Managing healthcare decisions can feel like navigating a maze. Comparing plans, coverage, and pricing with all the deductibles, premiums, etc., is exhausting, and there is a lot that goes into making a decision. Even more so when you start having kids and need a plan for the whole family.
As business owners, we juggle everything from branding to bookkeeping… but healthcare is a whole other ballgame. After stepping away from traditional employer coverage a few years ago, we found ourselves searching for a solution that offered peace of mind without a massive price tag. That’s when we discovered Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM), and honestly, it’s been one of the best decisions we’ve made.
What is a health share?
If you’re not familiar with a health share, let us break it down real quick. There are several out there (we’ve tried two), but CHM is the one we’ve liked best. CHM is a health cost-sharing ministry where members contribute monthly (kinda like insurance premium payments) to cover each other’s medical expenses. It’s not insurance in the traditional sense, but for our family, it has offered even greater benefits than our previous employer-sponsored plans. So much so that we opted to use it even when I was still employed with a company that offered benefits.
Want a real-life scenario? We have those too:
We had traditional insurance when we had our first daughter back in 2020. When all was said and done (after a long nine months), we did the math and figured we had paid about $12,000 out of pocket for the whole thing. All the appointments, medications, birth, follow-ups, etc., spread out over the entire pregnancy definitely added up. Fast forward 2 years and 5 months to the birth of our second daughter, and it was a completely different story using a health share.
When I gave birth to our second daughter, CHM covered the entire maternity bill (after we met the qualifying incident minimum of $1,000 at the time), saving us thousands compared to our first experience with traditional insurance. That’s why we’ve stuck with CHM ever since and haven’t looked back.
Moments after the birth of our first daughter ❤️
How it works:
The major perks of CHM lie in its simplicity and flexibility. When you become a member, you select a program level that fits your budget and needs. Each month, you contribute a set amount, which goes into a pool to share the medical bills of fellow members. You’re free to choose your doctors and preferred healthcare providers. When it’s time to pay for your visit, procedure, etc., it goes like this:
You pay your bills (or get on a payment plan) as a self-pay patient upfront (bonus: we put them on the credit card for points, then pay it off). Many offices offer discounts for self-pay patients, helping to lower the overall costs.
After your visit, you submit the bills to CHM through a handy online portal, and they reimburse you with a check in the mail. While the process can take up to 90 days (although in our experience, it’s often quicker), the new member portal makes it easier to track the status of all your submitted bills, adding a layer of transparency and convenience that makes the waiting period more manageable.
Is it right for you?
It’s important to note that health-sharing ministries may not be for everyone. CHM has clear sharing guidelines, and we always recommend reviewing them carefully yourself to make sure it’s the right fit for your medical needs. The great thing is that their team is approachable, knowledgeable, and happy to answer any questions before you make a decision. It’s always been a positive experience any time we’ve had to make a call.
In our own experience, CHM has covered almost everything we’ve needed, with the exception of some alternative treatments like chiropractic care (and even with that not being covered, it’s been worth it). Traditional insurance was starting to feel like we were getting scammed with sky-high premiums and minimal returns. CHM, on the other hand, felt like a mission we could get behind.
When Lance tore his Achilles this past summer, CHM covered his appointments, surgery, and six months of physical therapy. Dealing with that injury as parents of two young children was hard enough, and we’re so thankful we didn’t have to worry about the added financial stress.
Final thoughts:
Being part of CHM feels less like dealing with a big, impersonal insurance company and more like being part of a community. It aligns with the values we hold in our work - trust, collaboration, and support. We’re all about simplifying processes and finding solutions that actually work, and CHM embodies that.
If you’re a freelancer, entrepreneur, small business owner, or just searching for a healthcare option that doesn’t break the bank, we can’t recommend CHM enough. It’s saved us money, eased stress, and provided care that meets our family’s needs without sacrificing quality. If you have questions, send us a message or reach out to the CHM team - they are always so friendly and helpful!
A quick note: If you decide to check out CHM and use our referral link, we do receive compensation in the form of discounts on our CHM monthly payment. But rest assured, we’d be singing their praises regardless. This has been a game-changer for our family, and we’re confident it could be for yours too.
