Heather received emergency surgery last year to remove her gallbladder and found peace knowing medical bills wouldn’t fall on her shoulders.
Heather has always shown remarkable strength. After leaving an intimate partner violence relationship with only a bag of clothes and two little girls, she set out to build a better life for her family.
While putting herself through college, Heather learned she was expecting her first son. She hadn’t seen a doctor in more than four years and the thought of paying for medical care was overwhelming until a friend encouraged her to apply for health care coverage through Washington Healthplanfinder™. She was approved for Apple Health (Medicaid) for pregnant individuals. “The relief I felt took every ounce of worry and stress out of my body, bringing my smile back once again,” Heather recalls. When her baby was born, he also qualified for Apple Health coverage and that soon proved to be invaluable.
Apple Health paid for her newborn son’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay, where he was treated for jaundice and needed blood transfusions. A few years later, her youngest daughter also required NICU care, which Apple Health covered. Having this coverage gave Heather peace of mind knowing her entire family was covered.
Just last year, Apple Health once again made all the difference. Heather was rushed into emergency surgery to remove her gallbladder. Today, she’s alive, healing, and free from the crushing worry of medical debt. Heather, who has lived in Washington most of her life, remembers her parents’ struggles to balance medical bills with household needs. She is grateful Apple Health gave her the security her family once lacked.
Today, Heather channels her experiences into helping others. As a site lead and art instructor for youth services, she creates safe, creative spaces for elementary and middle school children.
Reflecting on her journey, she credits Apple Health for lifting the burden of medical debt. “I don’t think I ever would have gotten as far as I have in my crazy, scary, and amazing journey if I had the burden of debt from medical bills,” she says.
Heather says her experience with the Washington Healthplanfinder™ application portal was simple and stress-free, describing it as “finding a pot of gold at the end of [her] rainbow!” Wonder if Apple Health coverage is for you? Visit Washington Healthplanfinder™ to apply for coverage or visit the Apple Health eligibility webpage to see if you are eligible.