Ana, 62, had been married to Alex for 25 years. Alex had recently retired after working 35 years as a machinist. Ana had been “sickly” for a few years and had gone to many different doctors, but no one could figure out what was wrong with her.  Finally, a rheumatology specialist made the diagnosis of lupus.  Ana was relieved to finally know what was causing her health problems, however, her “affordable” short-term insurance policy refused to pay for her medical care, calling lupus a “pre-existing condition”.

Alex and Ana had sold their home and were living in their son’s basement when they called the Center to get help finding resources and making financial decisions.

Alex and Ana worked with a patient advocate who helped them apply for their state’s high risk insurance program, access free prescription drugs through the Partnership for Prescription Assistance, meet with an affordable financial planner, and apply for social security disability insurance.

Ana reported, “Working with an advocate helped us learn about all the resources that existed to help us. We now understand how to read an insurance policy, and have been connected to some programs that will help us financially.”