FAQs

general

How can I switch my program AHP level?
Is maternity eligible for sharing?
Is adoption eligible for sharing?
Is routine care eligible for sharing?
Are prescriptions eligible for sharing? 

Q. How can I switch my program AHP level?
A. You can switch program AHP levels online. All members in the Medi-Share household must switch together to the new AHP. There is an administrative fee of $75 to change AHP, and certain limitations apply as shown in the chart included in the guidelines in Section IV. B.

Q. Is maternity eligible for sharing?
A. Married* pregnant Members with an Annual Household Portion of $3,000 or higher who have faithfully shared from the month of conception through the month of delivery are eligible for maternity sharing. Sharing is limited to $125,000 for any single pregnancy event, to include antepartum care, the cost of delivery and complications to the mother and/or child(ren), and postpartum care.

To be eligible, delivery must be performed by one of the following:

• Medical Doctor
• Doctor of Osteopathy
• Midwife who is properly licensed, certified, and/or registered in the state of delivery as required by state law

*Members who join or change their AHP level on or after September 1, 2020, must indicate “married” upon application or when changing their AHP level in order for maternity to be eligible for sharing.

Review Section VII. for all details.

Q. Is adoption eligible for sharing?
A. The Medi-Share program allows Members to share in adoption costs. Up to two adoption events can be shared per Member Household. The adoption of multiple children at the same time is considered one event. Review Section VIII. for all details.

Q. Is routine care eligible for sharing?
A. Routine care is not eligible for sharing, however, if your provider is with PHCS you should present your ID card and have them bill Medi-Share to possibly receive discounts on your routine services. There are exceptions for well-baby care. See Section VII. F.

Q. Are prescriptions eligible for sharing?
A. The cost of CMS or FDA approved testing, treatments, and up to six months of FDA approved prescription drugs per eligible condition will be considered for sharing. Section VI. A. Medi-Share members can save on most prescriptions by presenting their Medi-Share card at participating pharmacies.

Membership

How do I add our new baby?
How do I add family members to my Medi-Share household?
What do I need to do before I turn 65?
My child is turning 18, what do I need to do?
My adult child is on my family program and is getting married, what do I do?
My child is turning 23 and still on the family program – what do I do?
How do I find a provider?
What do I do if my provider hasn't heard of Medi-Share?
Why do I have green and orange member "id cards"?
What do I do when I go for my scheduled appointment?

Q. How do I add our new baby?
A. Please review Section VII. regarding adding your newborn to your Medi-Share household.

Q. How do I add family members to my Medi-Share household?
A. They must enroll by completing the application to Add-on Family Members

Q. What if I adopt a child?
A. Please review Section II. to determine if your adopted child will qualify for membership and Section VIII. to determine if you will qualify for adoption assistance. If your child does qualify, please complete the application to Application to Add-on Family Members.

Q. What do I need to do before I turn 65?
A. Medi-Share Members who are 65 years or older and have Medicare parts A & B are able to transition to the Senior Assist program. The requirements to complete the process are simple:

1) Complete and follow the instructions on the Senior Assist Transition form
2) Provide a copy of your Medicare card, evidencing that you have enrolled in both Part A and Part B

If you do not have Medicare Parts A and B, you may remain on Medi-Share.

Q. My child is turning 18, what do I need to do?
A. Once a child reaches 18, he or she may apply for an individual program. Or, they may remain on the family’s program until they reach age 23 if they meet the qualifications. Please read the specific requirements. Section II.

•The 18 year old must certify that they still meet the criteria for Medi-Share by filling out the Commitment to the Medi-Share Membership form.

Q. My adult child is on my family program and is getting married, what do I do?
A. Your child must roll off on to their own program prior to the wedding date by completing an Application for Individual Program. No adult married child can remain on the family program. Section III. C. Once married, their spouse will need to apply separately for Medi-Share.

Q. My child is turning 23 and still on the family program – what do I do?
A. Your child must roll off onto their own program prior to their 23rd birthday or they will no longer be allowed to participate. There are advantages of rolling off the family m into an individual program. Please review the guideline Section II. and have your child complete the Application to Leave Family for Individual Program.

Q. How do I find a provider?
A. Either click here to find a provider or please search through the "find a provider" menu option on the left side of the member center home page to find providers in your area that are listed as in network and available to you. The link to finding a provider takes you away from the Medi-Share website and connects you to the PHCS website. Medi-Share is not responsible for the accuracy of the information you will find.

Q. What do I do if my provider hasn't heard of Medi-Share?
A. When talking to a provider, mention that Medi-Share partners with PHCS (Private Healthcare Systems) as a PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) network. You should confirm with the provider's billing office that they are still in network with PHCS.

Q. Why do I have green and orange member "id cards"?
A. Your green card is for medical needs such as office visits with your primary care physician or a hospital visit. Your orange card is for savings as a cash customer the day of service for vision and dental needs through Careington providers.

Q. What do I do when I go for my scheduled appointment?
A. Present your green Medi-Share id card and pay your provider fee as listed on your member ID card. If you do not have a copy of your ID card you can access it on the Medi-Share app or through this link.

Sharing

When is my share due?
What are my options for making my monthly share deposit? 
Is there assistance if I am struggling financially?
Is my monthly share payment tax deductible?
Can my Medi-Share or Manna share amounts be considered a deduction for "Medical Expenses?"
Can my Health Initiatives fee be considered a deduction for "Medical Expenses?"
If I contribute to Extra Blessings, is that tax deductible?
Is there an incentive when I refer others to Medi-Share?
Can the sharing account be used for purposes other than Medi-Share transactions?
Is there a penalty for members who withdraw money from their sharing account?
How will the account be closed if I choose to withdraw from the Medi-Share program and what if I have eligible medical bills to be shared after I withdraw?
Am I responsible for any bank charges if CCM overdrafts my account?
How do I contact America’s Christian CU?

 Q. When is my share due?
A. By the first of each month. 

Q. What are my options for making my monthly share deposit? 
A. You can make your share deposit online, or use the mailing address on your share notice if you are mailing in your payment. For Members' convenience, you can sign up for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).

 Q. Is there assistance if I am struggling financially? 
A. Christian Care Ministry is a not-for-profit ministry and the Medi-Share program is based on participants agreeing to faithfully deposit their monthly shares to take care of their share of the eligible medical expenses of other participants. However, if an eligible illness or injury has caused you to lose your income, assistance may be available. 

Q. Is my monthly share tax deductible?
A. Your monthly voluntary share contributions for Medi-Share or Manna, are not tax deductible. Donations over and above the monthly share amount to Christian Care Ministry Inc. for its general purposes or to a specific program, such as, Extra Blessings, are tax deductible as a charitable contribution.

 Q. Can my Medi-Share or Manna share amounts be considered a deduction for "Medical Expenses?" 
A. Medi-Share is not health insurance and Manna is not disability insurance, therefore share amounts for such programs are neither  "insurance premiums" nor a "medical expense" and cannot be deducted as such.

 Q. Can my Health Partnership fee be considered a deduction for "Medical Expenses?" 
A. You may be able to deduct the cost of participation in Health Partnership on your income taxes if your overall medical expenses exceed 10% of adjusted gross income AND if your participation in a Health Partnership program was for treatment of a specific disease or diseases diagnosed by a physician. Please consult your tax professional to discuss whether your participation in a Health Partnership program is properly deductible as a medical expense.

Q. If I contribute to Extra Blessings, is that tax deductible? 
A. Yes, but only if you mail them to CCM for distribution, not if you mail directly to a recipient.

Q. Is there any incentive when I refer someone to the Medi-Share program?
A. Yes, members who refer others to Medi-Share using the Refer A Friend link can earn $100 gift card for every friend who joins as a result of their referral.


 Q. Can my sharing account be used for purposes other than Medi-Share transactions? 
A. No. This account is designated for your Medi-Share deposits and CCM transactions only. 

Q. Is there a penalty for members who withdraw money from their sharing account? 
A. No, however, any amount transferred into your account is used to pay your eligible medical bills within days by making payments from that account to your providers. If the funds are not available to do so, when they had been deposited for that purpose, you will need to pay your providers directly. Fees could be charged by the financial instution if you remove funds from the account that are earmarked for a provider and then that provider check is returned for insufficient funds.

Q. How will the account be closed if I choose to withdraw from the Medi-Share program and what if I have eligible medical bills to be shared after I withdraw? 
A. If you withdraw from Medi-Share, your account will not be closed until your eligible bills have been shared, and your account balance is zero. 

 Q. Am I responsible for any bank charges if CCM overdrafts my account?
A. If a Medi-Share member incurs bank charges in their sharing account, such as, an overdraft fee, as a direct result of a transaction initiated by CCM, CCM will reimburse the member by depositing the amount of the bank charge in the account. However, if there are not enough funds in your personal banking account when the electronic funds transfer (EFT) for your monthly share goes through, you will be responsible for those overdraft fees.

Q. How do I contact America’s Christian CU? 
A. Here’s the key contact information for our members who have ACCU accounts used for sharing:

Medical Bills

If I go to the emergency room, do I need to call in first?
How do I find a provider?
What do I do if my provider hasn't heard of Medi-Share?
Why do I have green and orange member "id cards"?
What do I do when I go for my scheduled appointment?
What should I pay the provider at the time of visit?
What if my provider demands payment?
Do I still pay my provider fee if I met my AHP?
What do I do if I am ill or injured while traveling or living outside of the U.S.?
Do I submit the bill?
How does the provider submit the bill?
How does a member submit the bill?
When do I know if the bill was received by Medi-Share?
How long does it take to process a bill?
How will I know if my bill was processed?
Will I get a mailed copy of my EOS (Explanation of Sharing)?
How do I know what to pay the provider?
Why is my bill ineligible for sharing?
What if I have additional questions about my EOS (Explanation of Sharing)?
How do I find out what the provider charges?
How do I meet my Annual Household Portion (AHP)?
How does CCM know I met my Annual Household Portion (AHP)?

Q. If I go to the emergency room, do I need to call in first?
A. Emergency/urgent care visits do not require pre-notification; however, notification of emergency/urgent care is highly recommended within 72 hours of service.

Q. How do I find a provider?
A. Log in to your Member Center and click on the "find a provider" menu option on the left side of the screen. The link to finding a provider takes you away from the Medi-Share website and connects you to the PHCS website. Medi-Share is not responsible for the accuracy of the information you will find.

Q. What do I do if my provider hasn't heard of Medi-Share?
A. When talking to a provider, mention that Medi-Share partners with PHCS (Private Healthcare Systems) as a PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) network. You should confirm with the provider's billing office that they are still in network with PHCS.

Q. Why do I have green and orange member "id cards"?
A. Your green Member ID card is for medical needs such as office visits with your primary care physician or a hospital visit. It also provides information regarding Navitus for filling prescriptions. Your orange Select Savings card is for savings as a cash customer the day of service for vision and dental needs through Careington providers.

Q. What do I do when I go for my scheduled appointment?
A. Present your green Medi-Share Member ID card and pay your provider fee as listed on your card. If you do not have a copy of your Medi-Share card, you can access it by logging in to your Member Center at mychristiancare.org or through the Medi-Share mobile app.

Q. What should I pay the provider at the time of visit?
A. You should pay a provider fee when you receive medical services. Please refer to the upper right hand corner of your green Medi-Share ID card for the amount you should pay at time of service. If you have not met your AHP the provider may bill you for an additional amount after the bill is processed. Please refer to the "How is a bill submitted" section for further details.

Q. What if my provider demands payment?
A. Have them call the Provider number noted on your Member ID card. It is in your best interest NOT to pay. If they insist – you may consider going to another provider in the PHCS network. If not, pay the minimal required amount. Then point them to the area of the card that states they are to submit their bills to Medi-Share and notify Member Services of any payments made to the Provider.

Q. Do I still pay my provider fee if I met my AHP?
A. You should still pay your provider fee, even if you have met your AHP, as the fee is not applied to your AHP.

Q. What do I do if I am ill or injured while traveling or living outside of the U.S.?
A. If traveling or living outside of the U.S., you are responsible to pay the bill, obtain an itemized bill (in English), provide proof of payment and submit to Medi-Share. For eligible medical needs, currency exchange will be calculated on the date bill was paid.

Q. Do I submit the bill?
A. The preferred method is for the provider to submit the bill directly to Medi-Share.

Q. How does the provider submit the bill?
A. The bill should be addressed to Medi-Share at PO Box 981652 El Paso, TX 79998 or submited electronically through EDI #59355.

Q. How does a member submit the bill?
A. Please refer to the reimbursement form as found under "Forms" on the Home Page of the Member Center.

Q. When do I know if the bill was received by Medi-Share?
A. First, login to your Member Center, then look for the "Medical Bill Status" option in the left-hand menu. Under "In Process" you will see a list of bills that were received by Medi-Share and under review. If it states "no data records to display," this indicates there are no bills currently under review. You can check under "bills shared" to see if the bill was already received and processed. If your bill is not seen in either section, your bill has not been received by Medi-Share.

Q. How long does it take to process a bill?
A. As long as a bill is submitted on a HCFA or UB04 form, an EOS (Explanation of Sharing) should appear on your Member Center within 30-45 business days. If it has been more than 45 days and the bill is still listed under "in process," please click on "Chat With Us" on the left-hand side of your screen to request bill updates, or you may call Member Services at 1-800-264-2562.

Q. How will I know if my bill was processed?
A. First, login to your Member Center, then look for the "Medical Bill Status" menu option. You will see "in process" for bills that have been received and are still being reviewed. Directly below that, you will see "bills shared" for bills that were processed and ready for the EOS (Explanation of Sharing) to be viewed.

Q. Will I get a mailed copy of my EOS (Explanation of Sharing)?
A. Your EOS (Explanation of Sharing) can be found in your Member Center using the "Medical Bill Status" menu option. Your EOS will be ready to "view" and can be downloaded as a PDF or printed.

Q. How do I know what to pay the provider?
A. Your total is listed next to the "Member Responsibility Total" on your EOS (Explanation of Sharing). This amount should match the provider's invoice.

Q. Why is my bill ineligible for sharing?
A. Please view the EOS (Explanation of Sharing) on the Member Center home page under "Medical Bill Status". The EOS will have notes in the "service line explanations"explaining why the bill was not eligible. You might also see additional notes at the bottom of the EOS.

Q. What if I have additional questions about my EOS (Explanation of Sharing)?
A. Please login to your Member Center and click on "Chat With Us" on the left-hand side of the screen for more information about your bill; or, you may call Member Services at 800-264-2562 and follow the prompts for medical billing.

Q. How do I find out what the provider charges?
A. Medi-Share does not control or store prices for medical needs. Questions regarding the cost of a medical procedure should be directed to the provider's billing supervisor or financial services department.
Providers will bill for their services and then it will be reduced to the contracted rate by PHCS if they are in-network. In-network providers are not obligated to honor their PHCS discounts if the service is ineligible for sharing; however, we would ask that they honor the discount for the Member.
Providers who are out-of-network have no contract and will bill for their total charges. In some instances, Medi-Share will request they honor a discounted price; however, they have no obligation to do so.

Q. How do I meet my Annual Household Portion (AHP)?
A. Every time you visit a medical provider, you will present your Member ID card and your provider should submit your medical bills to Medi-Share. They will be processed and discounted, and then your provider will bill you for the portion you owe. Once the amount you pay meets your chosen Annual Household Portion level, your eligible medical bills will be published for sharing.

Q. How does CCM know I met my Annual Household Portion (AHP)?
A. Your providers will submit all medical bills to Medi-Share who will process the bills and apply any discounts. Eligible amounts are applied to your Annual Household Portion. If you have met your AHP, the bills will be submitted for sharing.

How To

How can I get a new Medi-Share ID card?
What do I do if I forget my login or password?
How do I search for a provider?

Q. How can I get a new Medi-Share ID card?
A. Download a temporary copy or request another card using the link on this page. You can also use the Medi-Share mobile app to access your card right from your phone!

Q. What do I do if I forget my login or password?
A. On the Medi-Share login page select ‘Forgot Your Password’ or ‘Forgot Your Username’ and you will be able to retrieve it or reset it.

Q. How do I search for a provider.
A. Click here to search for a provider.

Reimbursement

What is a reimbursement?
When should I submit for reimbursement for a medical bill?
Where do I find reimbursement forms?
How do I submit a reimbursement for a medical bill?
How do I submit a reimbursement for prescriptions?
Do I receive a payment for reimbursement?
What forms do I need to request a reimbursement?
What is a HCFA/UB form?
How long does it take to process a reimbursement request?
How do I ask my provider for a HCFA or UB?
What if the provider will not give me a HCFA or UB?
What information does Medi-Share require without a HCFA or UB?
What if the provider treats me as “uninsured” and offers me self-pay or a cash pay discounted rate?

Q. What is a reimbursement?
A. A reimbursement is a member request for Medi-Share to process an eligible bill they have already paid. Members can seek reimbursement on medical bills, adoption, out-of-country emergencies, or prescription costs.

Q. When should I submit for reimbursement for a medical bill?
A. It is always best for medical providers to submit medical bills to Medi-Share to ensure that the bills are processed in a timely manner.
However, some scenarios require members to submit for reimbursement:
 - If an Out of Network provider refuses to submit the bill to Medi-Share.
 - If the Out of Network provider required up-front payment.
 - If you are seeking prescription reimbursement.

Q. Where do I find reimbursement forms?
A. - Log in at www.mychristiancare.org.
 - Click on the “Forms” on the left hand navigation bar. Then, click on the “Reimburse” tab.
 - Select the reimbursement type you are requesting. Download and print the form so that you can fill it out.

Q. How do I submit a reimbursement for a medical bill?
A. To submit a reimbursement for a medical bill, please perform the following:
 - From your Member Center, select “forms” on the left hand navigation bar. Then, click on the “Reimburse” tab.
 - Download and print “Reimbursement Form – Standard – download.”
 - The first two pages of this form explain the documents needed for a reimbursement.
 - This includes the eligible medical bill with proper coding and proof of payment
 - *If the provider is In-Network with CMS-1500/HCFA or UB-04 is required for consideration*
 - Fill out the third page to submit with the reimbursement request.
 - Submission methods:
        - Fax: 321-722-5138. (Preferred)
        - Email: memberservices@mychristiancare.org
        - Mail: Christian Care Ministry, PO Box 120040, West Melbourne, FL 32912

Q. How do I submit a reimbursement for prescriptions?
A. To submit a reimbursement for prescriptions, please perform the following:
 - From your Member Center, select “forms” on the left-hand navigation bar. Then, click on the “Reimburse” tab.
 - Download and print “Reimbursement Form – Standard – download.” – this will need to be updated when we have the new form specific to Rx ready
 - Refer to page 2 of this form for the necessary information to process the reimbursement.
 - Submission methods:
        - Fax: 321-722-5138. (Preferred)
        - Email: memberservices@mychristiancare.org
        - Mail: Christian Care Ministry, PO Box 120040, West Melbourne, FL 32912

Q. Do I receive a payment for reimbursement?
A. Any eligible medical needs will process toward meeting your AHP first (Annual Household Portion).  You will receive payment for eligible medical needs after meeting your AHP.

Q. What forms do I need to request a reimbursement?
A. You will need:
 - A completed reimbursement form (the third page of the “reimbursement-standard” form).
 - A copy of a CMS-1500/HCFA or UB-04 from the provider.

Q. What is a CMS-1500/HCFA or UB-04 form?
A. A CMS-1500/HCFA or UB-04 is an industry medical form. This is the same form the provider would submit to insurance or a Health Care Sharing Ministry for bill processing.
See pages one and two of the “reimbursement-standard” form for samples.

Q. How long does it take to process a reimbursement request?
A. A submission with a CMS-1500/HCFA or UB-04 form can take up to 30 business days as little as 14 business days to process.
Medi-Share will notify you via email or Explanation of Sharing if more information is needed.

Q. How do I ask my provider for a CMS-1500/HCFA or UB-04?
A. Prior to making a payment, talk to the business/billing office or office manager to ask for a CMS-1500/HCFA or UB-04.

Q. What if the provider will not give me a CMS-1500/HCFA or UB-04?

A. Per the member-voted guidelines, a CMS-1500/HCFA or UB-04 is required for your medical bill to be considered for sharing. A submission for an in-network provider can only be processed with a CMS-1500/HCFA or UB-04.
If the provider is out-of-network and refuses to provide a CMS-1500/HCFA or UB-04, please contact Member Services at 800-264-2562, ext. 7077.

Q. What information does Medi-Share require without a CMS-1500/HCFA or UB-04?
A. Please see the list of required information noted on the Medical Reimbursement Request form.

Q. What if the provider treats me as “uninsured” and offers me self-pay or a cash pay discounted rate?

A. Although it might seem there is a savings to Medi-Share or the member, pre-payment can negatively alter bill processing and add more effort on you, as the member.
Medi-Share will still process eligible CMS-1500/HCFA or UB-04 with the contracted rate for PHCS in-network providers. The self-pay or cash pay rate you agreed to with the provider may not match that contracted rate.
Medi-Share will process eligible out-of-network bills allowing up to what is customary for the chart in the service area. It is possible that this is less than the self-pay rate. The difference between the two would be patient responsibility if the provider will not write it off.