Information is Power: My Story as a Healthcare Navigator

By Carina Saavedra When I began serving as an Affordable Care Act Navigator at Alliance in November, the healthcare.gov website was plagued with technical difficulties. It was frustrating to be unable to complete an enrollment because the website constantly went down. A bad experience can sometimes turn a person away from the whole process, resulting in more than just frustration; they can impede health insurance access.

However, since December, the websites performance has improved greatly, resulting in a smoother experience.  Every person I help at Alliance is unique, and his or her experience is unique as well. Their questions and concerns can and do vary widely.  Some of the patients I serve seek basic information about the Affordable Care Act, others want assistance in the enrollment process.  Many patients are concerned about affordability and don’t know that financial assistance may be available to them.  Some want to know how to pay their monthly premium and others ask what a monthly premium is.  As a Navigator, I am here to assist our patients in their transition to health care coverage as consumers of The Marketplace under the Affordable Care Act.  Whenever I am able to assist a person in completing the process, and they enroll in a health insurance plan, I print out a copy of their insurance plan summary.  I review the plan summary with them, highlighting important information like the plan’s name, the company’s contact information, so that later on the consumer can become their own health insurance “navigator!”

My experience at Alliance has been personally fulfilling.  Appreciative patients have thanked me for helping them in accessing affordable health insurance for themselves and their families; this is the most rewarding part.  However, not every Navigation appointment has had a happy ending.  I have had some hard conversations, like having to tell someone that they don’t qualify for a government subsidy because their income is too low, or explaining that they don’t qualify for financial assistance because they are eligible for insurance through their or their spouse’s job.

Even though not everyone I assist is able to enroll in a health insurance plan, I feel that my service does make a difference.  I do my best to ensure that every patient is clear about their health insurance options enabling them to make informed choices.  If information is power, then my work is empowering people, and that, for me, is the greatest reward.

Alliance is a medical home to 7,000 low-income working adults.  Carina is serving at Alliance Medical Ministry as a Navigator through a year-long AmeriCorps position made possible through a grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service to Community Care of North Carolina (CCNC). Only 40% of Alliance patient qualify for healthcare subsidies; 60% remain in the gap not quailing for any government support and ineligible for Medicaid. To learn more or support our work, go to www.alliancemedicalministry.org. 

Getting to the Heart of the Season

Six years ago Dulce went to the emergency room because her hand was numb. She was scared, did not know what else to do, and did not have insurance. Dulce had Rheumatic heart disease and needed regular medical care; care she simply could not afford.  After being connected with Alliance Medical Ministry, she was able to get access to her own doctor and start a course of Coumadin to manage her heart issues.

Alliance gave Dulce access to medical care despite the fact that she did not have insurance, but that is only half of the story. For years, Dulce followed the advice of Dr. Joyner to manage her health.  She was also connected to one of our volunteer specialty providers, Dr. Paar, to have an in-depth look at her heart condition.  Earlier this year, Dr. Paar felt that Dulce needed more help; she needed mitral valve replacement.

Dr. Paar reached out to surgeons and the hospital and got a large portion of her heart surgery donated.  In September, two weeks after her surgery, Dulce walked into Alliance with her daughter and four-month old grandson to take pictures for Alliance’s Holiday Honor Cards.

“I am so thankful for Dr. Joyner, Dr. Paar and the rest of the team at Alliance,” shared Dulce.  “I don’t think I would be here right now without them, because I would not know where else to go.”

Alliance is here for Dulce now and will continue to be here in 2014.  Dulce works for a local supermarket, and based on her income and household size, will not qualify for healthcare subsidies through the Affordable Care Act.  She can’t afford health insurance and does not qualify for Medicaid leaving her in the healthcare gap. Alliance will continue to serve Dulce, and thousands like her in the years to come.

As we approach the holiday season, we often think of ways we can help others and provide hope.  This year, Alliance gave Dulce, and other working adults, the gift of health.  You can support their work to provide medical care to the working uninsured with a gift this holiday season.  You can even make a gift in someone’s honor and the recipient will receive a holiday card featuring a patient with acknowledgement of your gift.  To learn more about Alliance Medical Ministry, to make a gift, or purchase a Holiday Honor Card, go to www.alliancemedicalministry.org.

A Happy Healthy Thanksgiving: holiday tips for diabetic patients

Don’t skip meals or snacks to save calories for Thanksgiving, because it may be harder to manage your blood sugar. Be sure to eat breakfast and small snacks throughout the holiday, so that your blood sugar levels will remain more stable.

These are just a couple of the tips Becky Dobosy has shared with diabetic patients this week by offering the “Diabetes Friendly Guide to a Healthy Thanksgiving Plate,” written by the American Association of Diabetes Educators.

Becky Dobosy is Alliance’s new Nutrition Intern from North Carolina State University who is working with Dr. Joyner. Commenting on the information she has shared, Becky stated that “It fits well with the upcoming holidays and builds off of the plate method guidelines we use.”

Because Thanksgiving is all about sharing food with the ones we love, it is important for diabetic patients to be careful about which foods they choose from their smorgasbord of options on the Thanksgiving table.

The American Association of Diabetes Education advises that people with diabetes fill ½ of their plates with vegetables, while avoiding creamy vegetable casseroles which are heavy in butter.  If the table is low on healthy vegetable options, fruits such as cranberries and baked apples can be substituted.

For the other ½ of the plate, the guide recommends to fill up ¼ of the plate with starches such as stuffing and sweet potatoes, and ¼ of the plate with lean turkey slices (no dark meat!). Instead of gravy, a fruit based relish is a healthier option which still provides a kick of flavor.

Dr. Joyner is very excited that Becky has shared these tips, and she feels it is important for diabetic patients to be aware of this information during the holidays. “The plate method is what we use for all of our diabetic patients, but it’s nice to have a special guide for a time like Thanksgiving when the meal isn’t really the standard patients are used to.”

The holidays are an easy time to ‘fall off of the wagon’ and stray away from a healthy diet, so for many diabetic patients, Becky’s tips are a helpful reminder to stay on track when presented with gravy, buttered potatoes, and apple pie. “So far the guide has been really well received by patients,” says Dr. Joyner. We at Alliance hope that all of our patients and friends will have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving.

Deborah's Story: "Alliance Makes it Work."

Deborah did not intend to find Alliance, but it was so important that she did.  In 2011 she was hospitalized for abnormal heart rhythms and heart attack, but had no insurance to cover the costs of her care. It was a hospital social worker that helped her find Alliance. She says, “I didn’t have health coverage and I hated doctor’s visits. I only went when I absolutely had to go.”

Since then Deborah has become a regular patient at Alliance, and her outlook on healthcare has changed. “Now I have Dr. Lewis, and she makes me feel really comfortable about everything.”After a year and a half with Alliance Medical Ministry, Deborah says that what she appreciates most is the friendliness and dedication of the staff. “It’s been a wonderful experience. Everyone is just so caring and helpful!”

It’s clear when speaking to Deborah that she is grateful to have found Alliance when she did.  “I’ve always been self-sufficient, so it was really hard for me to ask for help. Alliance finds a way to make it work for you, they make it work for you and they really help.”

If you would like to provide a medical home for a neighbor like Deborah, please follow the link below to learn more about how you can help sponsor a patient visit.

http://www.razoo.com/story/Alliance-Medical-Ministry

“Downtown Comes to Midtown” brings in crowd to celebrate Alliance and fine art

Last Friday, November 8^th, The Mahler Fine Art, Adam Cave Fine Art, and Midtown Art Consultants teamed up to host “Downtown Comes to Midtown,” an art show and sale benefiting Alliance Medical Ministry. The show was held at North Hills Renaissance Hotel, and featured artwork by over 20 artists, jewelers, and craftspeople.

More than 200 people attended to view the wide variety of artwork featured at “Downtown Comes to Midtown,” and with each contribution made to Alliance, attendees received a 10% discount off of the affordably priced art offered for sale.

With such a high number of attendees, and donations to Alliance exceeding $4,000, the event was considered a great success. “Downtown Comes to Midtown” celebrated the 10^th Anniversary of Alliance Medical Ministry working to provide medical care for working uninsured adults in Wake County. On behalf of the Alliance community, we would like to thank all of those who offered donations on Friday, especially Kane Realty Corporation who matched gifts made by attendees of the event.

Stay tuned for upcoming events at Alliance by continuing to keep up with our blog, and following us on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Alliance-Medical-Ministry/102367708227

Betsy Rankin Allan and Sally Plyler

Mendi Nieters, Kelly Bachman and Harriet Wilson with Alliance Medical Ministry

Rory Parnell and Shawn Brewster with The Mahler Fine Art

Sally Plyler with Midtown Art Consultants, Winston and Sandy Page, and artist Bob Rankin

Adam Cave of Adam Cave Fine Art and friends

Emily McNair, Janet Rose and Shawn Brewster

Harriet and David Wilson

Volunteers from NCSU!

Amy Laport Gant and Sally Plyler of Midtown Art Consultants and Megg Rader (middle) with Alliance Medical Ministry

2014 Healthcare Coverage Gap

As the song goes, “the times, they are a changin’ ” and that is certainly true at Alliance!  About 40% of our patients are now eligible to get affordable insurance through the new health insurance marketplace, which opened October 1^st.    Their lives will change as they gain insurance that covers doctor visits, preventive care, emergency rooms visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, and more.   At Alliance, we have always been about change in order to efficiently and effectively address the myriad of issues and challenges that our patients face.  We grew and changed locations.  We saw the need for integrated comprehensive care and changed our model to include specialty clinics, pastoral counseling, and a community garden.  Now, we are helping many of our patients make a change to leave Alliance.

To help our patients make this important change, our staff is educating patients about the health insurance marketplace, how to enroll, and affirming their continued care with new providers.  We are providing computer access assisting patients to enroll at Alliance, and providing one-on-one appointments with enrollment experts.  We have staff and volunteers who are trained to work collaboratively with the other safety net organizations to ensure that changes for patients go as smooth as possible.

Even with the benefit of access to insurance, some things will not change.  There are still approximately 75,000 adults in Wake County that need our care.  With out Medicaid expansion in North Carolina, these people do not qualify for Medicaid (not blind, aged or disabled) and are not eligible for the health insurance marketplace (those eligible are above 100% of the Federal Poverty Guideline).  In other words, a family of four with an income below $23,550 per year will still be uninsured, and Alliance will still be here to help.  Alliance was founded ten years ago to help fill our healthcare gap, and we continue to meet these needs TODAY.

As we help our patients make appropriate healthcare changes, and open our doors to meet new patients that need our care, Alliance needs your support now more than ever!  We have always been blessed with passionate and caring supporters that give their time, talent and treasurers to help make our patients’ lives better.  Our staff and volunteers work selfishly and with giving hearts to provide uncompromised care.  We extend our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you, and ask you to support our annual Love thy Neighbor campaign TODAY and in the years to come.

We are counting on you!

Susan’s Story: “Take Charge of Your Health”

When Susan sought out Alliance Medical Ministry, it had been a few years since she had seen a doctor. “I didn’t know I had high blood pressure or any other problems, because it has been eight years since I received care through my husband’s company.” Susan realized that she needed to take charge of her health, and Alliance helped her do just that.

For Susan and her husband, their first few visits to Alliance came with shocking news. “They discovered melanoma on my husband’s hand, and referred us to a dermatologist, who then recommended a surgeon. The surgery was expensive, and it just wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Alliance.”

The support also extends beyond the referrals; it starts with a personal relationship. “Dr. Lewis is the best. She gives me advice, and gives me constructive criticism without making me feel like I’m doing it all wrong. And whenever I do something good for my health, she’s reassuring and encouraging.”

In addition to her visits with Dr. Lewis, Susan is also grateful for the pastoral counseling services at Alliance. “I get advice about my health, like walking. I learned that it’s not just good for my physical health, but it’s important for my spiritual health too. I’ve been walking a lot, and I feel better.” After making a personal goal while at Alliance to exercise more, Susan and her daughter recently completed their first 5K and take Zumba classes together! Susan’s advice for others is to be honest with doctors, and to listen to their advice. “Realize that no one else can take charge of our health but ourselves, and don’t put off taking care of yourself. I am thankful that there is a service like Alliance which allows me to take charge of my health.”

Susan is used to taking care of others, but now with the support of the Alliance Community she can take care of herself.