from Pain and Worry There When Needed 52-year-old Flint resident Scott Elton works with his hands, primarily on home remodeling projects. He was experiencing unbearable pain in his hands due to carpal tunnel syndrome. Scott’s story is a prime example of how a hardworking individual can find himself without health insurance. “I’ve been off and on the plan for years. I would still be in the dark had it not been for that referral. I went without health insurance for most of my life.” Like thousands of members, Genesee Health Plan (GHP) helped him navigate the health system. While on the plan, his family physician referred him to a surgeon to address his carpal tunnel syndrome. “After three surgeries, I started to get pretty skeptical about using the same doctor. I went back to my family physician and said to her, ‘I have to have my hands working.’ She listened to me and found Dr. Marquart with the Greater Flint Sports Medicine in Genesys Health Park.” He finally experienced relief from the pain after his fourth surgery. “Words can’t describe how grateful I am for what he’s done to my left and right hands. GHP has helped me not only go see doctors that are qualified but doctors that have drastically helped me.” The holiday season was anything but joyful for 57-year-old Fenton resident Coreena Storms. She was notified that she was losing her job as an Internet Manager. That same week, she tragically lost her sister in a car accident. A month later, she found herself still unemployed. “I was talking with some friends and I told them, ‘I don’t know what I’m going to do. I have thyroid disease and I take a very expensive drug.’” Luckily, one of those friends suggested Genesee Health Plan (GHP) to her. “I looked up the information, went to the office, and bam! I was taken care of. It truly was fabulous. Everyone was so nice and so encouraging. I felt like the weight of the world had been lifted off me.” Coreena was on the plan for two years and today is employed and has health insurance through her job. But she doesn’t forget how GHP was there during her most desperate time. “During those two years, a couple of times I got sick and I was able to go to the doctor. It was convenient and I’m still going to those same doctors today. I was able to be taken care of without the stress of wondering how am I going to afford this.” Coreena Storms, Fenton 2 0 1 8 C ommu n ity R eport 11 Wordscan’tdescribehowgratefulIam forwhathe’sdonetomyleftandright hands.GHPhashelpedmenotonlygo seedoctorsthatarequalifiedbutdoctors thathavedrasticallyhelpedme. Scott Elton, Flint ProvidingRelief I felt like the weight of the world had been lifted off me.