1) Immediately seek medical care. Call 9-1-1 if the situation is life threatening.
If you are a Gold member and your condition is less serious but requires immediate care, consider if an urgent care center
will meet your needs (emergency rooms are usually more expensive than urgent care centers).
2) Seek financial assistance when you are well. Getting well is your first priority.
When your condition is stable, you, a friend or a family member responsible for your care can follow
steps under “General information” below.
1) Consider “shopping around” for health care providers in your area. You’ll find that some
health care providers are more willing than others to reduce their charges for self-pay patients.
Although you may go to any hospital or doctor office for treatment, selective “shopping” helps lower the cost
of your medical care because you often can choose to receive the same service at a lower price.
To compare health care pricing in your area,
visit www.healthcarebluebook.com and www.hospitalvictims.com.
You also can contact the CHM Reductions department at any time for advice.
2) Follow the steps under “General information” below.
a) Inform the health care provider—in an emergency, usually a hospital—that you are a self-pay patient and a member of Christian Healthcare Ministries, a group that will help with your bills after other forms of assistance have been exhausted. At all times carry your CHM membership card so providers will understand your situation (remember to tell providers to bill you directly).
b) Ask for a bill reduction (discount). Asking for a discount is asking for the same consideration that insured patients receive (due to discounted rates negotiated by their insurers). Many providers will extend a discount to you because it usually means they receive faster payment. Discounts represent nearly 60 percent of all medical bills submitted to CHM, so please don’t be shy about asking. Also, any discount (on an eligible bill) you help obtain will apply toward your personal responsibility amount.
c) Whenever possible, contact the CHM Reductions department before accepting a discount or making a payment. If you have difficulty obtaining a significant discount, our staff can help negotiate with your health care provider(s) to make sure you get the best possible price for your medical care. Remember that if you pay the bill up-front, negotiations cease. Please don’t make full payment up-front.
d) Apply for any financial assistance available. Many members are surprised to find that they qualify for financial assistance, which is money set aside for the express purpose of helping patients. Ask to speak to a financial counselor or decision-maker and complete any forms they give you.
e) Ask providers to bill you directly and set up a payment plan with your providers. Work with your providers to make whatever monthly payments you can afford until CHM members share your eligible need, at which time their voluntary gifts reimburse your expenditures. Even minimal payments will reassure most providers that the bills will be paid.
f) When you receive your itemized bills, send copies of each bill to Christian Healthcare Ministries, along with the completed Needs Processing forms. CHM must receive your bills and forms within six months of the date of service. Send the bills immediately—even if a discount is pending—because bills are shared by CHM in the order they are received by our office.