Age: 49
Enrolled in: Medicaid
Final premium: $0
Before the ACA, Jane was uninsured and had an emergency surgery.
Now, Jane has Medicaid which retroactively covered her surgery.

Jane worked at a dentist’s office , but quit in December 2013 and her health coverage ended in January 2014. While looking for a new job, she made an appointment with a Navigator to sign up through the Marketplace. Jane had health issues and needed surgery, and knew how important it was to have health insurance from working in a medical office. Unfortunately, the only day the hospital could schedule the surgery was on the same day as the navigation appointment. Jane went ahead and had the surgery. After recovering she went home and decided to try to sign up through the Marketplace on her own. She was Medicaid eligible due to her unemployment status, and signed up right on her smartphone. Medicaid covered her surgery retroactively, so she didn’t have any bills from the surgery. Now Jane doesn’t have to worry about getting health services while she spends time looking for a new job.

“I was surprised how easy it was.  I didn’t have to provide any documents.”

*Name has been changed to protect identity

Special thanks to the Public Policy and Education Fund for contributing this story!