After a viral illness, eating got harder for Jeremy Wells, then almost impossible. He shed 30 pounds as his body struggled to take regular meals. “It got to the point where I just couldn’t hardly keep food down at all,” he recalled.
Through testing, doctors determined Jeremy had achalasia, a rare condition that affects the ability of the esophagus to move food into the stomach. While treatment was available, he and his wife, Amanda, faced a harsh reality: the cost.
The estimate for laparoscopic surgery near their home in South Dakota came in at $94,000—not including anesthesiologists or doctors’ fees. For a self-employed couple, the number was a shock. “We didn’t know what to do,” Amanda shared. “That would have bankrupted us…but I knew we had to do something.”
The couple joined Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM) but hadn’t used it for the first few years of their membership. Both Jeremy and Amanda had never had surgery or stayed at a hospital before—and neither had any idea how the healthcare system worked. That all changed once Jeremy took a turn for the worse.
“They kept knocking doors down and made it happen…All we had to do was show up in person.”
– JEREMY
Traveling for laparoscopic surgery
After two months of waiting and praying, the Wells family learned about the Complete Surgical Care Solution (CSCS), one of the member perks offered by CHM. Once they reached out, things started moving.
A CHM case manager stepped in and began coordinating everything. What originally felt like a huge roadblock became a clear pathway. Within two days, they were connected with a highly qualified surgeon as CSCS arranged every detail of the process.
“They kept knocking doors down and made it happen,” said Jeremy. “All we had to do was show up in person.”
The same procedure quoted at over $94,000 locally would cost about $13,000 at a surgical center in Oklahoma City—a fraction of the original estimate. CSCS guided them through each step, allowing the couple to focus entirely on Jeremy’s health. Eligible appointments, billing, flights, hotel, and rental car were all taken care of.
“We prayed about it so much,” Amanda said. Arriving at the facility in Oklahoma, they were both amazed by the quality of care. From the surgeon to the nurses, everyone communicated clearly and treated them with confidence and care. “It was just a great, positive experience,” said Jeremy.
The power of prayer
The results were immediate. After his surgery, Amanda had a simple meal delivered to their hotel that night and watched Jeremy eat without trouble for the first time in a year and a half. “He was so relieved,” she remembered.
Through CHM’s Prayer Wall, fellow members also interceded for their needs. They even received personal calls from a staff member who prayed with them before and after the surgery.
With Jeremy’s ability to eat restored, the Wells family was grateful for CHM and the CSCS team. Not only did they get quality care coordinated for them, but they also avoided near financial ruin. Amanda agreed, “it was God’s blessing, for sure.”
Make the best choice for your family!
Download these questions and reference them as you research healthcare options to make the best decision for your family.
