A Great Way to Pay for Healthcare With Lauren Gajdek
COVID has changed our world dramatically in the last year-and-a-half, how we work, educate our children, and even visit the doctor. So it’s good to know that some things haven’t changed. The pandemic also strained our health care system. However, there’s a unique way of paying for health care. We’ll talk about that today with Lauren Gajdek of Christian Healthcare Ministries. Lauren gives us a quick refresher course on how Christian Healthcare Ministries works. It’s definitely not health insurance. It’s a different model, based on Galatians 6:2. The mission at CHM is to glorify God, show Christian love, and experience God’s presence as Christians share each other’s medical bills. CHM’s role in all of this is to make other Christians aware of these needs. We base this on New Testament examples where fellow believers step in to help other believers in time of need. CHM accomplishes this by using a time-tested. definable, accountable, and dependable framework. God has honored this model as the ministry carried each other’s burdens, sharing $6 billion in medical bills throughout 40 years. It’s also an accredited charity through the Better Business Bureau. Again, CHM is a ministry and not insurance.They have a covenant relationship with members in that they share each other’s medical bills as outlined in the guidelines. Although some health plans have application fees, Christian Healthcare Ministries doesn’t. Some other programs require testing to be done before a member joins and then is done on an annual basis thereafter. This is not something Christian Healthcare Ministries requires. All is asked is that (1) a person or family be Christian, (2) they embrace CHM’s statement of beliefs, and (3) that they attend worship regularly as health permits. Many members have commented on the ease of submitting medical bills and the support they’ve received from their member services personnel in navigating the bill-submission process. Other members have highlighted the peace they’ve received as the CHM community of members have assured them of their prayers as they’re in the midst of their health crises. Many members also say that one of the primary reasons they’re with CHM is because of how their practices line up with their Christian values and also that they’re more compassionate and easier to deal with. A lot of folks fear rejection when asking for discounts. However, that’s not really a problem for patients who pay cash for medical services. Medical providers are more than willing to lower their fees when a patient is paying with cash. It cuts out a lot of red-tape and paperwork and also gives members more control and ownership of their health care expenses. On today’s program we also answer your questions: --I have some credit card debt. I also know that I should have an emergency fund for unforeseen expenses in the future. Should I pay off my cards now and get that over with before I build my emergency fund? Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000 or email them to [email protected]. Also, visit our website at MoneyWise.org where you can connect with a MoneyWise Coach, purchase books, and even download free, helpful resources like the free MoneyWise app. Like and Follow us on Facebook at MoneyWise Media for videos and the very latest discussion! Remember that it’s your prayerful and financial support that keeps MoneyWise on the air. Help us continue this outreach by clicking the Donate tab on our website or in our app.