CATHY's StorY

Cathy’s Story: From Uncertainty to Relief, Navigating Healthcare with Help from United Way

Health insurance is vital to everyone, but it’s especially important to those with serious medical conditions. Cathy, experienced this first-hand as she faced colon cancer – first with insurance and then later without.

“It’s a devasting thing to lose your health insurance,” shared Cathy. For decades she and her husband had great insurance through his job, but when he retired last year, they lost their insurance. Thankfully, Cathy was able to have a successful colon cancer surgery before the insurance loss. But since then, Cathy has had to put off important follow-up appointments and needed procedures to keep up with her condition.

“I’ve been nervous since my surgery. I need to have a colonoscopy, but I haven’t had insurance. I have put it off for too long,” said Cathy.

After their insurance loss, Cathy knew she needed to find insurance, but she didn’t know where to start. “I heard horror stories of people who had looked for insurance online and thought they found a great deal. Plus, I didn’t know what I was doing so I didn’t look,” said Cathy. That’s when a friend who works at the Elwood Township Trustee’s office told Cathy about United Way and CKF Healthcare Navigator, Julie Barton.

At Cathy’s first meeting with Julie she heard the words she had hoped for, “I can help.”

Since Cathy did not have a computer at home, Julie helped her input her information. She also helped Cathy find and review the best plan options. One of the most important needs for Cathy was finding a plan that was accepted by her current doctors who she trusted.

“I’m so glad my friend introduced me to Julie. It’s the best thing I ever did,” Cathy shared. “I know that if I have any questions, she is there to help.” Because of her experience, she wants others to know that there is help to better understand your insurance needs and she looks forward to sharing that information with others who could be in the same situation.

Working with Julie and finding a plan that fit her needs has helped to relieve some of Cathy’s stress over not having insurance. Her goal now is to be healthy and cancer-free. Having health insurance is one of the keys to that goal. Thanks to help from United Way, she has a plan that works for her.