Gods Country (That we took from the Indians) WC IA | Thud - 5/5/2018 19:42
No dog in the fight but I'll ask anyway. How do these CHM programs work? I've heard you guys mention them here before , always got the impression is was some sort of non-profit insurance program, but now there's mention of getting cheques from individual families? How is the 'program' funded? Is it backed by actual individuals, or churches or??? What if those backers leave? One poster said you have to have 'faith' to take part? How is that vetted? Is one faith ( ie Christian) favored over others ( say Judaism, or Hinduism,,, or even Gasp Muslim)... are certain faiths excluded? Sounds like an interesting concept.
OK, we've been with Samariton for 3 years now, so I can offer you some insight. (Samariton is seperate from Christian Health Care that the Original Poster wrote about) The biggest thing to remember is this is NOT insurance. It is a group of people who pay for each others health care. The group we are with are all Christian people, who have proven that they are active in their faith, that is by design of the plan. Each month we write a check out for the same amount of money, but it goes to a different person that has submitted a claim. We will send it with a card and pray for them as well. That person will recieve checks from enough people to cover the amount of the claim they put in. Ideally, each person sending them a check is also praying for them.
When you go to the doctor, you tell them that you are a cash pay patient. Generally we will see a 30-40% discount given to us for paying immediatly, or within 30 days. The doctor visits that cost less than $300 we pay for and do not turn in to Samariton as a claim. Anything larger than that can be submitted.
It is our responsibility as a member to shop around. A family member needed an MRI this winter, the local hospital price was about $5500 after discounts. We drove 50 miles away and got the exact same MRI for less than $3000. Generally you will see members of Samariton are in better health than the general population. Part of that is because of the screening to become a member, part of it is the attitude of paying for your own health care - one will take better care. Don't hate me for pointing out the obvious, but notice how people in church are a healthier bunch of people than the group of people you would see out at Wal-Mart? When one is invested in thier own well-being, they will have less health problems. Im just trying to give the facts and numbers and the reasons why..... Anyone can get an illness or cancer, but Samariton is trying to pool people together that overall take better care of thier body and mind.
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Slow reimbursements from Christian Healthcare Ministries
