When my husband, Esteban, and I signed up for CHM, I had nearly lost hope of ever having a baby.
We’d spent five long years trying to conceive, so when we joined CHM, I paid little attention to the ministry’s maternity Guideline that a member’s join date with CHM must be 300 days before the expected due date in order for maternity bills to be eligible for sharing.
We were so surprised, and grateful, to see a positive pregnancy result about a month after signing up for the CHM Gold program. Thankfully, my due date fit within the 300-day requirement.
I was thankful to find that CHM offered easy-to-follow instructions for submitting medical bills, particularly maternity needs. The Guidelines and maternity guide helped me understand I needed to set up prepayment agreements with my OB/GYN office and the facility where I intended to give birth. The Maternity Care Team is available to connect members to the best care in their area, and to offer care and support throughout pregnancy.
I called the ministry several times during my pregnancy to verify I was doing everything correctly. Each time the CHM staff was friendly and patient with my many questions.
Electric fence scare
My pregnancy was smooth until 32 weeks when I accidentally brushed my expanding stomach against an electric fence while caring for our horses. I felt the shock through my whole body and panicked. I couldn’t feel the baby move. After rushing to the hospital, relief washed over me as I heard his strong heartbeat on the fetal monitor.
The cost of my hospital visit was the last thing on my mind. A few weeks later, I was shocked to receive a $4,000 hospital bill! I was worried about the cost, but CHM reassured me I could submit it for sharing.
The cost of my hospital visit was the last thing on my mind. A few weeks later, I was shocked to receive a $4,000 hospital bill! I was worried about the cost, but CHM reassured me I could submit it for sharing.
– JANELLE
Contractions lead to emergency C-section
I started having strong contractions a few days after my due date. After a challenging labor and getting “stalled out”, an emergency C-section brought our miracle baby, Jaden, into the world, perfectly healthy.
I learned that the labor and delivery charges would have been over $30,000 if I had not set up a prepayment agreement. With the agreement, however, the hospital’s price was only $6,400 and CHM shared the cost along with the remaining maternity charges.
Sometimes I wish I’d heard about CHM sooner, but I’m so grateful for God’s perfect timing. With CHM, my family and I are supported financially and spiritually—we’re not just a number but are fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and recipients of other believers’ genuine care.
Likewise, I love the opportunity we have to pray and care for other members—through the Prayers Unceasing cards with our monthly statements and through CHM Give. CHM is an incredible ministry—caring for us and enabling us to care for others as we carry each other’s burdens.
Janelle Barradas
YUMA, ARIZ.
Total eligible bills: $43,326.75
Provider discounts: -$27,744.82
Total bills shared: $15,581.93
