Interacting with providers

Since CHM is a ministry serving you, we don’t have a provider network that you must abide by. As long as the expenses are eligible for sharing within our Guidelines, you're free to choose your own provider. To see a list of providers that other CHM members have recommended, click here.

CHM has worked with more than 100,000 healthcare providers nationwide. However, it’s important you understand that as a CHM member your healthcare will be handled by you, the patient. This means that healthcare providers should bill you directly, after which you can submit your bills to CHM. Here are some helpful tips for interacting with your provider.

1. Tell your healthcare providers that you’re a self-pay patient, show them your CHM card, and explain you would like to be billed directly

Work with providers to obtain itemized medical bills. An itemized bill contains: 1) the patient’s name; 2) the date of service; 3) the place of service; 4) the procedural (CPT) codes (or description of services rendered); 5) an itemized list of charges. Your CHM membership cards should not be presented as insurance cards and will confuse providers if presented as such.

2. Ask your provider for a discount

Insurance companies regularly negotiate prices and you can, too. It’s also in the provider’s best interest to grant a generous discount because it can mean they receive faster payment. Most CHM members are successful in getting discounts. If you have trouble getting a large discount (at least 40%), the CHM Member Advocate department has patient advocates who can coach you or even negotiate with your providers on your behalf.

3. Apply for any financial assistance available to you, even if you don't think you qualify

This practice is valuable because it helps keep monthly financial gifts low. CHM requests, but doesn't require, that members use these resources if eligible for receipt. However, state and federal governments allocate money for patients whose income falls within a defined economic level, is pre-set and unrelated to the number of patients using the funds.

4. Please don't pay upfront (unless the bill is less than $1,000)

If you pay upfront, negotiations cease and the opportunity to obtain any further discounts is lost.

5. Ask your provider to bill you directly

The bill should be itemized and should show any discounts or financial assistance you have received (and, ideally, any payments you have made). Tell the provider that the sooner you receive the bill, the sooner it can be shared by CHM.

6. If necessary, set up a payment plan with your providers

Even a small monthly amount will assure most providers that the bill(s) will be paid. CHM will then reimburse your eligible expenses.

7. Promptly pay your provider(s) when you receive funds from CHM

If you have made any payments to your provider, you may count that amount of the sharing check as reimbursement to yourself. The remaining amount (or full amount if you didn’t make any payments) should be sent promptly to your provider.

8. Maternity only: at your first pre-natal checkup, ask for a prepayment agreement

Sometimes called a “Stork Package” or “global fee,” these rates often include all pre-natal and physician delivery charges at a reduced price. As soon as you have it, submit the agreement to the CHM office and submit any additional bills as “add-ons” to the original amount. Likewise, you can ask for a prepayment agreement from your hospital that includes a reduced price for room and board (room and board is often not included in the original "global fee"). In most cases, submitting an agreement in a timely manner allows CHM to share your maternity bills by the time the baby is born. See our maternity page for more info, including a maternity guide, how to reduce your Personal Responsibility amount, and more.