ACA Navigators Help Self-Employed Floridian Get Much Needed Health Coverage

Daphine B., resides in Hillsborough County and for years had been self-employed and unable to afford her much needed blood pressure medication. Aware of the fact that “self-care” and trying to stay healthy, was not enough, she went back to school and studied to be an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse). For the next 13 years she was employed in her County School District as a nurse where she had health insurance. When her health began to deteriorate, she was forced to retire and could not afford to continue her employer-based insurance. She found out from the Family Healthcare Foundation that she qualified for coverage that she could afford through the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

The ACA and its Navigators across the state of Florida are assisting individuals like Daphine to find affordable coverage enabling them to receive the care and medications they need to lead healthier lives. Get connected to a Florida ACA Navigator at www.coveringflorida.org.

“My experience made me realize that it is not easy to find the information you need to maintain healthcare coverage. My Navigator and the Family Healthcare Foundation helped me to find and obtain affordable coverage. I couldn’t have done it without their help!” - Daphine B., Hillsborough

Read more of Daphine's story below or share your own story here.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am 62 years old.

When my kids were little, I worked in the hospital [as a nurse’s assistant]. When I left the hospital, I became self-employed and had no insurance. I went to a free clinic where they help people because I thought I had high blood pressure. They told me that there are programs where you can apply…because you need to be taking the blood pressure medicine because it is so high. I was put on the Hillsborough County plan and my kids were put on Medicaid. I used that program for a long time. But then I realized, okay, my children are getting older and one reason why I might have gotten help is because I have young children. [At that time], my youngest was 14, and the other thee, two grown and done was still in high school. I said I better go back to school. So, I went back to school and became an LPN. So, this way I would be able to get a job that had health insurance. So, I've been working [as an LPN] for the Hillsborough County School System for 20 years. I had my own insurance. But my health started deteriorating and the health problems got in the way of me working. So, I retired two days ago.

Have you experienced health care affordability issues in the past? Have you ever been uninsured for any long period of time before?

How do you foresee having this coverage will impact your health or different areas of your life?

Describe your experience working with a FHF Navigator and why you went to them.