If you're a member of a health sharing ministry — whether it's Samaritan Ministries, Medi-Share, Christian Healthcare Ministries, or any other sharing community — you already know that you're responsible for finding the best price. Unlike insurance, your sharing ministry doesn't have negotiated rates with hospitals.
That means the cash/self-pay price is your starting point, and the price differences between hospitals can be enormous. Here's how to find the best deal every time.
Why Cash Prices Matter for Health Share Members
When a hospital sees that you're a health share member, they typically treat you as a self-pay patient. The cash/self-pay price — which hospitals are legally required to publish — is usually 40–70% lower than the gross charge (list price). But even cash prices vary dramatically between hospitals.
For a knee replacement, one hospital might charge $15,000 cash while another charges $45,000. For an MRI, the range might be $300 to $2,000. Finding the lower end of this range can save your sharing community tens of thousands of dollars.
Step-by-Step: Finding the Best Price
Follow this process for any procedure:
- Search for your procedure on MyCareCost with your ZIP code
- Sort by cash/self-pay price to see the cheapest options first
- Check quality ratings — make sure the low-cost option has acceptable quality scores
- Call the hospital and confirm the cash price (mention you're a self-pay patient)
- Ask if they offer any additional discounts for prompt payment or payment at time of service
- Share the price with your ministry and proceed with the sharing request
Negotiation Tips for Health Share Members
Many hospitals will negotiate below their published cash price, especially for planned procedures. Here's how to get the best deal:
- Always mention that you're paying cash/self-pay — don't mention your health share until after you've gotten the cash price
- Reference prices at nearby hospitals: 'I've found this procedure for $X at Hospital B — can you match or beat that?'
- Ask about prompt-pay discounts for paying before or at the time of service
- Request a single-case agreement with a specific price in writing before scheduling
- If the procedure isn't urgent, let the hospital know you're flexible on timing — this gives them more incentive to negotiate
Working With Your Sharing Ministry
Most health sharing ministries encourage or require members to price-shop before care. Some key points:
- Check your ministry's guidelines — many require pre-authorization for procedures above a certain dollar amount
- Document your price comparison research — your ministry may want to see that you shopped around
- Ask your ministry if they have any preferred facilities or negotiation services
- Submit the lowest reasonable price with your sharing request to maximize the likelihood of full sharing