Christian Healthcare Ministries

What it reported doing in 2024

Founded in 1981, christian healthcare ministries (chm) is the original health care sharing ministry for christians. Chm is a nonprofit voluntary cost-sharing ministry through which participating christians pay each other's medical bills. Chm is based on galatians 6:2 and acts 2 and 4. Galatians 6:2 states, "bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of christ." acts 2:44-45 states, and all that believed were together and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need." acts 4:32 states, and the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul; neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common." chm is based on these biblical teachings that the family of god comes together and bears each other's burdens. Ministry members put these teachings into practice by voluntarily contributing their resources to share (pay) each other's medical bills so that no one is in need. Chm members have accomplished this task by satisfying more than $11.8 billion in medical bills since inception. In 2024, members sent $639,376,957 for medical bills to other members.membership in christian healthcare ministries (chm) is voluntary and cannot be denied based on age, weight, health history, or geographic location. Members complete and sign an application on which they attest that participating adults are christians living by biblical principles, attend group worship regularly (health permitting), follow scriptural teaching with regard to alcohol, and do not use tobacco or drugs illegally. At the end of 2024, the total number of memberships was over 153,000 christian households serving over 352,000 individuals.chm, an eligible option for individuals under the u.s. Patient protection and affordable care act (ppaca), is an affordable health care solution for christian families. In 2024, family program costs range from $276 - $720 per month. Participants are never denied or dropped from membership for poor health or costly medical bills. Chm's regular programs (gold, silver, and bronze) offer assistance up to $125,000 per illness. Chm also has an optional (but highly recommended) program called chm plus. Chm plus offers unlimited cost sharing provision for gold members and an additional $100,000 per year (up to $1 million per illness) for silver and bronze members.chm also has programs for preexisting conditions that do not qualify for sharing through the regular chm program). These needs are satisfied by members' donations (over and above the monthly financial contribution amount required for membership). Chm also allocates a portion of the monthly contributions to aid in sharing these needs. In 2024, chm members gave $2,724,157 toward these needs. Chm sets funds aside to aid members who fall into financial hardship and need help paying their monthly financial gift amount. Chm exists to serve the body of christ and therefore not abandon members in their time of need. Use of these funds is approved on a case by case basis and funds are credited to the appropriate membership accounts according to chm policy and approval. Another key function of chm is supporting members spiritually and through prayer. Members and prospective members call, write, or post prayer requests and praise reports on the chm social media platforms. Staff members communicate all prayer requests to other staff members and pray over the requests during the week upon receipt. Chm holds weekly chapel services in person and virtually and ministered from the bible to the staff of chm. Prayer requests also are communicated to chm members across the country by way of the member portal online and an insert sent with monthly mailings if the member with the request gives permission for chm to do so.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 90.5%; rating input score 90
• Program expense ratio: 95.9%; rating input score 96
• Fundraising efficiency: $40.91 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 71; 71st percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 92.9%; rating input score 93; 17th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 6 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Pass
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Pass
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 81.9%; rating input score 82; 18th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Limited
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 12.5%; rating input score 12; 9th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 5.8%; rating input score 60; 60th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.41; rating input score 14; 14th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.02; rating input score 93; 93rd percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 0.3%; rating input score 88; 88th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 13.8% per year; rating input score 100; 85th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 14% per year; rating input score 100; 87th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 16.1% per year; rating input score 100; 88th percentile among comparable filings