If you have health insurance, you’re likely aware that the industry needs major repair. Insurance companies often put profits over people, and the health insurance marketplace has seen consistent price gouging for years. Discover the biggest downsides of health insurance plans and a biblical alternative that’s served Christians for over 40 years so you can make the decision that’s right for you.
Health insurance challenges
Health insurance companies place heavy burdens on customers. Millions of Americans feel forced to buy an expensive plan to avoid unnecessary risk. This allows the health insurance industry to thrive on a lopsided business model.
High Costs
The biggest issue people face with health insurance is cost. Rising premiums and deductibles over the past few years make the idea of “affordable health insurance” a contradiction. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the average lowest-cost bronze premium in the United States is $381. That’s not including a spouse or any dependents!
As prices continue to skyrocket, singles and families across the nation get priced out of the market completely. Many might forgo health insurance and then face crippling debt after a serious medical event.
Network Restrictions
A second problem is network restrictions. Networks consist of doctors and hospitals (also known as “providers”) that health insurance companies contract with. These contracts allow members to receive discounted services from “in-network” providers.
While members can still see providers outside of their network, they are likely not covered and will incur “out-of-network” fees. By their nature, networks limit the providers you can pick. This could mean not getting the preferred care that’s best for you or your family.
Open Enrollment
Additionally, health insurance companies have an open enrollment period every year. This window allows new members to join, change an existing plan, or cancel their plan. Open enrollment typically begins on November 1st and ends January 1st of the following year, but your employer can also determine these dates.
If you miss this window, you won’t be able to join or make any changes until the next open enrollment period, or if you have a qualifying event (moving, having a baby, getting married, or losing previous insurance). This short window often pressures people to lock into a year-long, expensive contract.
Instability of the health insurance marketplace
Adding to those issues is the volatility of the online marketplace for health insurance. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was created in 2010 to offer affordable health insurance plans to Americans with incomes above 100% – 400% of the Federal Poverty Line. Anyone earning enough to qualify for an ACA plan might experience big changes next year:
- Some of the major health insurance companies are pulling out of the ACA in certain states, leaving millions without coverage.
- Enhanced subsidies (or discounts) for ACA plans are at risk of expiring if Congress does not act in time. This would drastically jack up overall insurance costs for many in the marketplace, or disqualify them from the ACA altogether.
These coming changes and pressures leave many in a vulnerable place. With costs continually on the rise and insurers leaving the ACA, there are fewer affordable options than before.
The biblical alternative to health insurance companies
However, a marketplace plan isn’t your only option—Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM) is a health insurance alternative for believers. Started in 1981 as the original health cost-sharing ministry, CHM enables Christians to care for one another by sharing medical bills.
CHM is not a health insurance company. As a non-profit, our mission is to fulfill the call of Galatians 6:2 to “bear one another’s burdens” and serve like the early church in Acts 2 and 4, “who held all things in common.”
Through voluntary payments, members share in each other’s eligible health expenses. Medical bills are submitted through CHM’s Member Portal, the costs are then satisfied by members’ monthly contributions, and a reimbursement check is mailed to you.
Beyond financial care, CHM staff and members also pray for each other’s needs. Our model is spiritually focused and aims to support and encourage fellow believers enduring serious medical trials.
How CHM works and why it’s different
For those new to the concept of cost-sharing, CHM offers key advantages as a health insurance alternative:
- Four affordable program levels, starting at $150 per month. Our programs include CHM Gold, CHM Silver, CHM Bronze, and CHM SeniorShare™.
- No provider network restrictions—choose any certified doctor or hospital.
- Solutions for prescription savings, maternity, cancer, surgery, virtual care, and more.
- Eligibility aligned with biblical values through CHM Guidelines.
- No open enrollment period—join anytime.
You have options
While the current health insurance industry is broken, CHM offers Christians a completely different experience. Cost-sharing frees members from steep prices and restrictions by avoiding the health insurance model entirely. Ready to leave behind overpriced, restrictive health insurance? Use our free cost comparison tool or join CHM today and start experiencing an affordable, biblical alternative.
