The article below has been updated with the most current costs and benefits of Christian Healthcare Ministries’ Gold Program. The original article appeared on Oct. 7, 2018.

Instead of conventional health insurance, I have used a medical bill-sharing alternative for Christians called Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM) without problems since 2012.

Here are the basics of the Gold Program option (which provides the most benefits):

• Beginning Jan. 1, 2022, Gold Program participants will pay a monthly gift amount of $205 for each "unit." You are one unit, your spouse is one unit, and your kids collectively are one unit. So the most you will pay is $615/month (even if you have a bunch of kids!). If your spouse has insurance through his/her work, you might decide to only have two units: yourself and your kids. The monthly gift amount you send in is what is shared among the expenses of all CHM participants.

• The first $500 of every "incident" is the amount it will likely cost you once the reimbursement process has come to a conclusion. (Think of it sort of like a deductible, but CHM can't use that word). An “incident” is a medical condition. So, let's say you break your arm. You go to Urgent Care, get an X-ray, get a cast, and have a follow-up visit with your doctor. All of that is one incident. By the time CHM reimburses you for the medical expenses, the most you should be out is $500.

• In the past, it took up to 4 months after an “incident” had concluded for CHM to reimburse me, but recently they have implemented ways to shorten that time span. In the meantime, you are responsible for making payments on your medical bill(s) and/or negotiating with your providers. CHM does not pay your providers. They pay you. You are always responsible for paying your providers.

• If you are concerned with being able to pay your providers while waiting on CHM to reimburse you, remember that most doctors and other providers work with CareCredit, which is a credit card. The providers usually offer 0% interest promotions for 6, 12, 18, or 24 months through CareCredit. This should be enough time for CHM to reimburse you.

• There are some restrictions on what is covered (such as some medical equipment like crutches). Also not covered are conditions caused by harmful behavior (smoking, etc.). Their website has a Guidelines document with details. Usually, if an insurance company typically covers it, so does CHM.

• There is a limit of $125K per incident on the Gold plan. However, you can also sign up for the optional Brother's Keeper, which gives Gold Program participants unlimited cost support per incident. Beginning Jan. 1, 2022, Brother’s Keeper participants will pay a monthly gift of $20 per unit (as well as a $40 annual administrative fee). Brother’s Keeper can come in handy for your next heart attack, cancer battle, or major injury or surgery. Any of these major issues and all of the doctor’s visits, hospital stays, and procedures surrounding them is considered one “incident.” Thus, your liability at the end of the reimbursement process should be $500.

• There is an expectation that you will shop for cheap prices and negotiate with your providers. Most providers today give a discount for self-pay. There are some negotiating tips at the CHM website.

• NEW BENEFIT: HealthiestYou is a 24/7 phone or video chat with a U.S.-licensed physician. It is completely FREE for conditions like flu, allergies, pink eye, bronchitis, sinus infections, and more. Confidential counseling, skin issues, and nutrition assistance are fee-based services, but they are reasonable.

If you are ready to sign up and want to use my Refer-A-Friend link, I get a free month! Here's the link: https://www.chministries.org/default.aspx?mem=181323. If you need to explore this some more, just head to the CHM website: https://www.chministries.org. Just kindly remember to put my Member Number—181323—in the Friend Information box if you sign up. God bless! - David Rhoades