The more you know, the better equipped you are to control your healthcare decisions. Medical terminology, bills, and bureaucracy give the impression your only choice is to accept whatever you’re told. That’s not true.
As a CHM member, you have something too many patients don’t realize they have: the power to ask questions, seek better options, and make your own, informed, healthcare decisions.
The most powerful tool you have isn’t your wallet or your medical records—it’s knowing what to say. Healthcare power statements are your guide. A power statement is a short, confident phrase that helps you ask better questions, become a more informed healthcare consumer, and navigate the healthcare system with wisdom and grace.
Whether you’re requesting a good faith estimate, comparing cash-pay prices, or encouraging another member through prayer, the right words make all the difference.
Power statement #1: “My care is my decision. What are my options?”
When your physician recommends a test, procedure, or treatment, ask questions. Your healthcare decisions belong to you; it’s your life. Understanding your options makes you an informed patient.
One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself is to become an active participant—and advocate—in your own healthcare. The more you understand your choices, the more confidently you can make decisions that are right for you and your family.
Power statement #2: “I have something better: I’m a CHM member.”
If your provider’s office asks for your insurance card, you have an opportunity to explain that you’re part of Christian Healthcare Ministries, a voluntary health cost sharing ministry.
Now in its fifth decade, CHM has enabled members to satisfy over $14 billion in eligible medical bills, demonstrating that Christians can voluntarily share one another’s medical burdens while encouraging personal responsibility, wise stewardship, and compassionate care.
Power statement #3: “Tell me about… the surgeon’s success rates, the hospital’s quality and safety ratings, and the total cost of my care.”
The best healthcare value comes from pairing exceptional care with a fair price.
Price matters—but so does quality.
Before scheduling a procedure, ask about a surgeon’s experience, the hospital’s quality measures, and healthcare safety grading scores, patient outcomes, and complication rates. The goal isn’t simply to find the lowest price. It’s to find exceptional care at a fair price.
If you plan to grow your family, or are facing a surgery or cancer diagnosis, contact one of CHM’s Care Solutions at 800-791-6225 for assistance in connecting with a provider that meets expectations for quality, cost, and care.
Power statement #4: “I want to pay you today. Let’s settle on a cash-pay cost.”
Many providers offer self-pay (cash-pay) or prompt-pay discounts—but they aren’t offered unless someone asks. Knowing the price is part of making a wise healthcare decision.
Always request an all-inclusive cash price, ask what services are included, and request the estimate in writing. Understanding the full cost beforehand is one of the practical benefits of healthcare price transparency. It can help you avoid unexpected medical bills and make informed decisions with confidence. Furthermore, many providers like cash payments because their offices don’t have to spend time on the paperwork and resources required to deal with insurance companies.
Note: If you’re unable to negotiate a self-pay or bundled discount for charges exceeding $1,000, please contact CHM before paying. Our staff may be able to help negotiate a lower cost on your behalf.
Power statement #5: “I’d like a good faith estimate.”
If you’re planning a non-emergency procedure, federal law gives self-pay patients the right to request a good faith estimate.
A written estimate gives you a clearer understanding of anticipated costs, helps you prepare financially, and provides a helpful point of reference if questions arise later. This information can reduce stress and help you plan wisely.
Power statement #6: “I want to pay you. Let’s make a plan.”
Providers want to be paid—and many are willing to work with patients who ask.
Many healthcare providers will work with patients who communicate honestly about their financial situation. Payment plans, partial upfront payments, or other flexible arrangements may be available—but only if you ask. A respectful, open conversation today can address your provider’s needs and yours.
Power statement #7: “Your CHM family is with you. We’ll face this together.”
Perhaps the most powerful statement of all isn’t something you say to a doctor or a billing office.
It’s something you say to a fellow believer who needs hope. No Christian should have to face a medical journey alone.
Every day, CHM members encourage one another through prayer, notes of support, and the sharing of medical burdens. With CHM, healthcare isn’t only about finances. It’s also about faith, compassion, and community.
No one needs to feel powerless about healthcare. Confidence grows when we’re informed. Stewardship grows when we ask good questions. And hope grows when we remember we don’t walk alone.
At CHM, you have the power because you’re equipped to ask the right questions, make wise decisions, and rely on a community of believers that’s ready to stand with you every step of the way. Download these power statements so you can carry confidence with you.
