Frustrated with Traditional Healthcare? with Lauren Gajdek

Mar 4, 2025

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You might be surprised to learn that most Americans are satisfied with their healthcare insurance. But the rest are more than a little dissatisfied.

A vocal minority of health insurance policyholders are frustrated with their insurers for any number of legitimate reasons. If you’re in this group, you don’t want to miss today’s show. Lauren Gajdek joins us with details about an efficient, affordable alternative to health insurance.

Lauren Gajdek is the Vice President of Communications and Media at Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM), an underwriter of Faith & Finance.

Why Are People Frustrated with Traditional Health Insurance?

Healthcare is a significant concern for many families, especially as costs continue to rise. Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM) offers an alternative rooted in faith and community support for those who feel frustrated with traditional health insurance. Some of the most common frustrations they see are:

Complicated Policies—Many insurance plans have intricate rules and coverage limitations, making it difficult to understand what is actually covered.
Lack of Pricing Transparency—Patients often have no idea what they are being charged for healthcare services, which leads to higher costs that insurance companies pass along to policyholders.
High Deductibles—It's not uncommon to see deductibles of $5,000, $10,000, or even $15,000, leaving families struggling to afford necessary care.

At CHM, transparency is a priority. Members clearly understand what will be shared, making healthcare costs more predictable and manageable.

A recent Kaiser Family Foundation survey found that most Americans rate their health insurance as "good" or even "excellent." However, people generally seem to be pretty happy with their insurance—if they haven’t had to use it.

Many individuals benefit from government subsidies or employer-sponsored plans, but satisfaction drops significantly when it comes time to submit claims and navigate the system. The more people engage with their insurance provider, the more dissatisfied they tend to become.

How Does Medical Cost Sharing Work?

CHM stands apart as an alternative to health insurance. Since their founding in 1981, they have shared nearly $12 billion in medical bills for its members. People are looking for something that aligns with their faith and upholds their values, and that’s where CHM steps in.

With over 40 years of experience, CHM provides a trusted solution for Christians who want a healthcare option that reflects their beliefs.

Unlike traditional insurance, CHM is a healthcare cost-sharing ministry. Members are considered self-pay, meaning they pay medical providers directly, but CHM shares 100% of qualifying medical bills based on established guidelines.

Key features of CHM include:

Flexible Program Options—Monthly contributions range from $98 to $255 per person, allowing families to tailor their plans to their needs and budget.
No Network Restrictions—Members can choose their own providers and are not limited to specific hospitals or doctors.
Community of Support—Members help bear one another’s burdens, fulfilling a biblical model of care and stewardship.

While the concept may initially seem unfamiliar, CHM’s long track record of faithfulness and financial stewardship reassures members that their medical needs will be met.

A Faith-Based Healthcare Alternative

For many believers, CHM has proven to be a perfect fit, providing financial relief and peace of mind. To learn more about how medical cost-sharing could benefit your family, visit chministries.org/faith.

If you’ve felt burdened by the complexities of traditional insurance, CHM may be the blessing you’ve been looking for.

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

I'm trying to find out if there is anything available, like a lower-interest loan, to help me pay off my credit card debt. I have about $45,000 in debt, and I'm okay with paying it down, but I'd like to find a lower interest rate than the 14% I'm currently paying.
My husband and I are both 77 years old, and I'm totally blind and he has several health problems. We'd like to set up an irrevocable trust to avoid probate when one of us passes away, but we don't have a lot of money. I'm not sure how to go about getting an elder law attorney to help us with this.
I'm wondering if I should consider purchasing a long-term care insurance policy. I'm 77 years old, and I know that the majority of Americans over 65 will need some form of long-term care, which can be very expensive. I'm trying to figure out if getting a long-term care policy makes sense for my situation.
I'm retiring soon and have a lump sum of money from my company's retirement plan. I don't want to take the lump sum and have 20% withheld in taxes. Instead, I'd like to roll the money over into a CD or similar safe investment where it can grow, but my company doesn't allow that. I'm not comfortable investing in stocks, so I'm looking for a way to keep the money safe and growing.

Resources Mentioned:

Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources.

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