Welcome Aboard!
Welcome to the Medi-Share Family!
New members receive a "Welcome Aboard Guide" by mail. Some portions of the Welcome Aboard Guide are included here for reference. Members are always welcome to call Member Services at (800) 264-2562 with any questions they may have.
Review the Medi-Share Program Guidelines
Read the Medi-Share Program Guidelines carefully. It is important that you understand the guidelines before you seek medical treatment for an illness or injury. This Welcome Guide is intended to be an easy-to-read introduction to Medi-Share and in no way replaces, supplements, or overrides the guidelines. The current guidelines govern, not the guidelines in effect when a member joins. Review the current guidelines here.
Check Your Medi-Share Membership Card
Verify that your name on the Medi-Share membership card included in this package is correct. If you have not received your membership card, or if there are errors on the card, call Member Services at (800) 264-2562. You can also print out a member card from here.
Log in
Once registered, you can complete important forms online or download them for your use, access the names of the members who you are directly sharing with, send them emails of encouragement, access the status of your medical bills submitted for sharing, and review the prayer needs of your fellow members.
Login here.
Your Prescription Discount Card
Members receive, at no cost, a ScriptSave prescription savings card that will enable you to receive lower prices on prescription drug purchases through ScriptSave preferred pharmacies. To locate participating ScriptSave pharmacies contact (800) 347-5985 or visit
www.scriptsave.com and use group number 506.
Christian Care Ministry’s primary preferred provider network (PPO) is PHCS. Membership in a PPO allows members to benefit from quality medical care at discounted prices for medical events that are eligible for sharing.
You can search for providers online at www.medi-share.org/pro or by calling (877) 302-7427. For your convenience, the PHCS website allows you to create and print a directory of providers and facilities in your area to have on hand for\ future reference.
PPO providers may, as a courtesy, honor discounts for services listed as ineligible on the Medi-Share Explanation of Sharing (EOS), such as routine care or visits under the initial member responsibility amount. To be considered for the discounts shown, the member must make prompt payment after receiving the EOS.
The brief descriptions of how Medi-Share works at the different IMR (initial member responsibility) levels and hypothetical examples are provided to help new members understand how Medi-Share will work for them. These hypothetical situations are based on the assumption that the providers utilized are in the provider network. Members must read and understand the guidelines and apply them to their unique medical events.
250 Program IMR
If the eligible medical need is more than $250, there is an initial member responsibility (IMR) of $250 and Medi-Share members share 100% of eligible medical bills over $250. Members who choose the 250 Program IMR are always responsible for the first $250. Medi-Share members never share a need that is less than $250 for members who have chosen the 250 program IMR level.
A Hypothetical Example of the 250 IMR
Medi-Share member Mrs. Smith has a headache and goes to the doctor. Her doctor charges $75 for the office visit and gives her a prescription that she fills for $25. Mrs. Smith’s total eligible medical expenses related to this incident are $100. Mrs. Smith will have her provider submit her bills to Christian Care to determine if they are eligible for discounting. Mrs. Smith will be responsible for these medical expenses, but may pay a reduced amount. Mrs. Smith falls and hurts her ankle. She goes to the emergency room and the total bill is $675, with a follow up visit at her doctor that costs $75 (total expenses: $750). Because Mrs. Smith’s total eligible medical expenses related to her ankle are more than $250, they are eligible for sharing. Mrs. Smith submits her NNF and is responsible for paying her IMR of $250. Therefore, the remaining $500 of her need is shared by the members. Providers are instructed on the member card to submit their bills to Christian Care for consideration for sharing.
1,000 Program IMR
If the eligible medical need is more than $1,000, there is an initial member responsibility (IMR) of $1,000 and Medi- Share members share 100% of eligible medical bills over $1,000. Members who choose the 1,000 Program IMR are always responsible for the first $1,000. Medi-Share members never share a need that is less than $1,000 for members who have selected the 1,000
program IMR level.
A Hypothetical Example of the 1,000 IMR
Medi-Share member Mr. Jones goes to the emergency room with food poisoning. After testing and treatment, Mr. Jones is released and the total expenses related to this medical incident are $800. Mr. Jones will have his provider submit his bills to Christian Care to determine if they are eligible for discounting. Mr. Jones will be responsible for these medical expenses, but may pay a reduced amount. Mr. Jones hurts his knee and his orthopedic doctor recommends a surgical procedure. From start to finish, the total cost of this surgical procedure, including hospitalization, is $40,000. Mr. Jones is responsible for his initial member responsibility (IMR) of $1,000. Medi-Share members share the balance, which is $39,000. Providers are instructed on the member card to submit their bills to Christian Care for consideration for sharing.
10,000 Program IMR
If the eligible medical need is more than $10,000, there is an initial member responsibility (IMR) of $10,000 and Medi- Share Members share 100% of eligible medical bills over $10,000. Members who choose the 10,000 IMR are always responsible for the first $10,000. Medi-Share members never share a need that is less than $10,000 for members who have selected the 10,000 program IMR level.
A Hypothetical Example of the 10,000 IMR
Medi-Share Member Mrs. Doe pays for all her own routine care and doctor’s visits because they are under $10,000. However, she does have her providers submit their bills to Christian Care to determine if they are eligible for discounting. Mrs. Doe experiences a cardiac event, leading to heart surgery, an extended hospital stay and rehabilitation. Her total medical bills related to this eligible need are $62,000. Mrs. Doe is responsible for the first $10,000 of eligible medical bills, and Medi-Share members share the balance ($52,000). Providers should submit bills to Medi-Share for consideration for sharing.
Because Medi Share is NOT insurance and in an effort to reduce medical expenses for the entire membership, Christian Care Ministry researches various programs offered by organizations and/or states to assist qualifying members with part or all of their medical expenses. This effort saves the membership millions of dollars each year! Please refer to Section XII. Medi Share Is Secondary to Other Sources.
If a member has a need that is ineligible for sharing, they may apply to have their need published on the Extra Blessings list distributed to all members in the monthly sharing notices. Christian Care Medi-Share members may contribute directly to members. For more information on how you can contribute, contact Member Services at (800) 264-2562. Cards, letters, and prayers received along with these extra blessing gifts have been a great comfort and encouragement to those members who receive them. To apply for Extra Blessings, click here.
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During the first three months of membership, elective surgery is not shared. During the first month of membership, sharing is limited to accidental injuries under $50,000. Medical bills incurred for diagnosis and treatment of illnesses during the first month of membership are not eligible for sharing. (Section VII. D.)
In cases where a legally required helmet or seatbelt was not being used,15% of the first $100,000 of eligible medical expenses related to a motorized vehicle or aircraft accident is the responsibility of the member. (Section XIII. A) Sharing of expenses for diagnosis and/or treatment of injuries sustained as a result of riding on a motorcycle is limited to $100,000 of eligible bills incurred per person during each twelve month period of treatment. (Section XIII. B.)
There are specific guidelines, including eligibility requirements and sharing limits, for maternity. Members considering pregnancy or who are pregnant should read the complete guidelines related to maternity (Section IX.) A complete information packet to guide members through the sharing process for maternity is available by contacting the assigned Member Advocate at (800) 264-2562 or by downloading here.
Members must not certify that the Medi-Share program is insurance for any reason, including an attempt to avoid purchasing insurance such as 1) contractor workers’ compensation and/or bonding requirements or 2) sports activity accidental insurance policies offered by schools and other sponsors of sports activities. Medi-Share is not insurance. When sports or other activity accidental insurance policies are offered by schools and other sponsors of activities, the Medi-Share members will only consider sharing the cost of treatment of injuries sustained or aggravated by participation in that activity after all other sources including the sports/activity insurance are exhausted.
Remember…
Medi-Share is a non-insurance healthcare program based on biblical principles. Medi-Share is not insurance. Christian Care Ministry is just that…a ministry. Members have shared hundreds of millions of dollars in medical bills, but payment of medical needs cannot be guaranteed. Members must not, under any circumstances, represent that Medi-Share is insurance. To do so may result in ineligibility of needs and/or termination of membership.
It is important to note that Christian Care Ministry does not pay any medical bills. Instead, Medi-Share members share their medical bills. Medi-Share brings together a community of Christians to share their bills and facilitates processing those payments.
Medi-Share is administered on behalf of the members by Christian Care Ministry. This program is not regulated by any state or federal body, but is self-regulated by an Administrative Board of Directors from across the evangelical Christian community.
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Make sure your provider is part of the PPO It is advisable to research this in advance of having a medical need or emergency. Please visit the Provider area of our website to search for providers in your area. If there are no PPO providers within a reasonable distance (usually 25 miles or less from your home) that provide the type of care you require, please call the PHCS directly at (877) 302-7427.
Step 2.
Submit your Member ID card to the provider It is important that anytime you seek medical attention, you submit your ID card to the provider and ask that they bill Christian Care Medi-Share directly. If possible, do not pay any amount up front. If your provider refuses to treat you if you do not pay something up front, request that your provider contact the Provider Relations Department at (321) 308-7777. If they insist on payment, make sure you obtain an itemized bill* and receipt and submit them immediately to the Processing Office via fax at (321) 722-5138, or mail to Christian Care Medi-Share Processing Center, PO Box 674, Sterling, IL 61081. *An itemized bill should include: provider name, phone number, address, tax identification number, CPT codes, diagnosis codes, itemized charges, amount of discount (if any) and amount of payment made at time of service.
Step 3.
Pre-Notification
Before any medical procedure, referral to a specialist, hospitalization, or within 48 hours after emergency treatment has begun; you must report the details of the incident by completing the Need Notification Form (NNF) online
here or by calling your Member Advocate at (800) 264-2562. An additional member responsibility of $250 will be applied when incidents that require reporting are unreported.
If you are ever in doubt as to whether or not pre-notification is necessary, call Member Services for clarification. Completing this call DOES NOT determine eligibility of your need. Please refer to Medi-Share Guidelines Section VIII which explains the eligibility process.
If you would like to know the processing status of your need, click here and access your protected member information using your member number and name, or call (800) 264-2562 and speak with your Member Advocate. If your provider requests the status of your bills, they may call (321) 308-7777 or access the provider area of the website here.
The eligibility of your medical need is determined in accordance with the Medi-Share Guidelines. Your original application and all medical information pertaining to the incident will be reviewed. Sometimes an additional review called a Clinical Review is required to determine eligibility. Your Member Advocate will contact you if your need requires review and will provide you with the results of your review as soon as eligibility has been determined. If you have questions regarding your review, you may call your Member Advocate at (800) 264-2562.
If you are a Medicare recipient, please provide your Medi-Share member card to your provider, reminding them that Medicare is primary. Your provider will bill Medi-Share after Medicare has made payment. You must submit a completed NNF to Medi-Share. The amount Medicare has paid towards your need will be applied to your initial member responsibility (IMR), however, you are responsible for any remaining portion of your Medi-Share IMR. Eligibility will be determined using the Medi-Share Guidelines.
Your EOS will be sent to you and your provider(s) as your bills are processed. They will report how much of your bill was shared, how much was discounted through the PPO network and the amount of your member responsibility (if any). If any or all of your need was not eligible for sharing, the EOS will provide you with the explanation.
The EOS will also show how much was applied to your IMR and the amount that you will be responsible for paying to the Provider. In cases where there are several providers, the Processing Center will determine which provider the IMR will be applied to. If other sources have paid toward your medical need (such as auto insurance, health insurance, Medicaid, or VA benefits) that amount will also be applied to your IMR. Do not pay the IMR prior to receiving your EOS. Please contact your Member Advocate at (800) 264-2562 if you have any questions.
Non-PPO provider penalties and penalty waivers
For non-PPO Professional Providers (physicians and laboratories), Medi-Share members share eligible medical services at the 70th percentile of the Usual and Customary (U & C) charges for those services in your region. Any amount charged over the U & C amount will be your responsibility. For non-PPO Facility Providers (hospitals), a 20% penalty, to a maximum of $500, is applied to each non-PPO facility bill.
If you receive a balance bill for using a non-PPO provider, please call your Member Advocate at (800) 264-2562 to see if you are eligible for a penalty waiver. If your provider was not a part of the PPO network and you are not eligible for a penalty waiver, the balance of the bill (called a balance bill) will be your responsibility.
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Share notices are mailed mid-month and are due on the first day of the following month. Please do your part by submitting your share on time as your fellow members are depending on you. There are consequences for late payment of your share. Refer to the Guidelines Section V. For your convenience, electronic funds transfer (EFT) is available.
Each month, your share is used to pay the eligible needs of a fellow member. That member’s name is accessible here if you are logged in. In addition to sending your share, take the opportunity to pray for and encourage your assigned member with an e-mail, card or a note. Members are greatly encouraged by your support.
Members may pray for, send notes and cards, and contribute directly to members whose needs have been determined ineligible for sharing. The Extra Blessings List of those needs is distributed to all members in the monthly share notices.
Take advantage of opportunities to improve your family’s health by participating in health education initiatives. Member participation can go a long way toward improving the general health of our membership, reducing the need for medical care, and thus keeping our monthly shares low. Contact Health Initiatives at www.ccmhi.org or by calling (800) 264-2562.
A high priority of Christian Care Ministry is prayer for the medical and healing needs of our membership. Click here to review current prayer requests of fellow members. Submit requests for member health-related prayer for yourself or another member by e-mail at prayerchain@medi-share.org.
Medi-Share is a member-driven ministry and your vote counts. Take the time to prayerfully consider the issues presented, and vote on proposed Guideline revisions.
Christian Care Ministry produces a quarterly newsletter, Helping One Another, filled with useful information, health-related articles and recipes, as well as ministry updates. The ministry also communicates important information to members by mail, email updates, and notification included in your share statements.
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