By Charity Beall, CHM Chief Financial Officer (CFO) & Treasurer
Editor’s note: This information was published in the May 2020 issue of Heartfelt Magazine, CHM’s monthly magazine that provides CHM membership-related tips and tricks, medical advice from doctors, testimonies from CHM members, and more. Please refer to the CHM Guidelines and applicable web pages for the most up-to-date information regarding CHM membership, sharing eligibility, and ministry news.
Last month’s article highlighted the top three websites that I currently use to shop for healthcare services and costs. I say “currently use” because healthcare is a fluid market and new solutions frequently appear. If you find a great tool, please share it with me at cbeall@chministries.org.
Let’s talk about MDsave.com. MDsave is a national marketplace with healthcare provider relationships. This website has the functionality to compare all-inclusive pricing, gives the number and quality of provider reviews, has a bio of each doctor, and what procedures each doctor offers.
Two downsides to using this site are: Procedures must be paid for upfront (you may use CareCredit) and there may be no established provider relationships in your area. Please be careful to note the listed provider’s address, as it may be some distance away. For example, when I search mammogram screening in Barberton, Ohio, 11 providers are shown, the closest one 182 miles away. If you find a doctor within driving distance that you desire to use, select “add to cart,” pay for the procedure, note whether you need to schedule an appointment, and print your payment voucher, which you will present at your appointment.
I want to thank you, CHM members, for your excellent stewardship. Along with the CHM staff’s work to steward your dollars, I am constantly impressed by the cost-reduction negotiations our members work out with providers. It’s important to note that one of the aspects that makes CHM unique among health cost sharing ministries is that CHM shares your bill according to your selected membership level regardless of how the medical service is priced.
We here at CHM praise the faithfulness of our God and that of our members. Thank you.
