Brotherhood aid programs

[karpos]

I would like to know what your experiences have been with various brotherhood aid programs, specifically Christian Healthcare Ministries.

I am contemplating switching to CHM but wanted to hear from anyone who has used them. Do they really reimburse you? Do you they make you go to some 'in network' doctor that isnt very good or do you get to choose your own doctor?

How long do they take to pay assuming you submit proper documentation and itemized bills?

Thanks

[Soloist]

One of my friends was in one of those Christian Brotherhood "not Insurance" aid companies and he failed to read the fine print closely. He ended up on Medicaid because they require you to exhaust all other means before their aid kicks in and wouldn't cover his pre-term baby care.

[Josh]

My experience with Samaritan’s has been stellar.

My experience with SEMMA was that they are chronically under-funded and should be viewed as an option of last resort. (I think aid works better this way, by the way.)

My general view is people who didn’t grow up plain should avoid joining an aid plan that is only plain people. Samaritan’s is a better choice. If your church requires using a particular aid plan for membership, that’s a different topic.