When faced with mounting medical bills, Inez Russell, a 70-year-old retired nurse and resident at Sunset Fields in Fennimore, Wisconsin, found it impossible to meet the Medicare out-of-pocket costs.

“I knew I needed some help to meet my obligations,” says Inez. “But I didn’t know where to go or who to ask.”

Because she owed close to $1,000 that Medicare wouldn’t cover, Inez became afraid to go to the doctor. She was constantly worried, and her health was on a downward slide. Activities that she used to love, like quilting, no longer interested her.

With her medical bills weighing on her, Inez was also forced to make hard choices at the grocery store — like choosing between soup or soap.

Corry Franklin, enhanced services coordinator at the Good Samaritan Society, found Inez at exactly the right moment.

In addition to budget-friendly housing, the Society's affordable housing team also offers enhanced services. This program is in place to make sure that not only are the housing needs of the residents met, but also their financial, medical and spiritual needs. 

The line of questioning covers general health issues such as whether the resident has had pain, depression or anxiety. The survey also asks if there has been any time in the past 12 months when they needed to see a doctor but couldn’t because of finances.

The question about finances is what gave Inez pause.

She needed to go to the doctor, but couldn’t afford it.

“It became apparent that Inez was not being able to meet her medical costs, so she wasn’t going to see the doctor anymore,” says Corry. “This is where the work of enhanced services begins.”

Offering help — and hope

Often, a resident doesn’t have anyone they can tell about the debt, or they don’t have the resources to find or understand the programs available to them. 

With Corry’s help, Inez started filling out applications to add Medicaid coverage.

“I didn’t understand much of the paperwork,” says Inez. “Corry explained it to me so I could understand it as I was lost and overwhelmed.”

But the work of an enhanced services coordinator doesn’t stop with simply filling out paperwork. Corry called Inez’s clinic to resolve the bill. Ultimately they agreed to forgive Inez’s debt so she could continue to receive medical care.

Inez also applied for and was approved for food stamps, which relieves the stress of having to choose between soup and soap.

Now that Inez has the financial support she needs, she is back in good health and good spirits.

“I am so grateful to Corry and the Good Samaritan Society,” says Inez. “God bless her. She is a real advocate for the elderly.”

Inez’s story is one of many.

Social security falls short

Leonard May, a resident at Olathe Towers in Olathe, Kansas was in a similar situation as Inez. 

Leonard was grateful for affordable housing, but not able to meet all of his medical bills. As a diabetic, he could not go without his insulin; however, it was just beyond his ability to pay.

“I am on a limited income through Social Security,” says Leonard. “Since being diagnosed as diabetic, insulin has been a large part of my monthly budget.”

Corry worked with Leonard through the same steps as Inez. She helped him connect with a company called the Medicine Cabinet. With the combined resources of this company and the Society, he was able to find the financial help he needed to afford his lifesaving medication.

“Leonard is now getting his medications at no cost for at least one full year,” says Corry.

“Corry was very knowledgeable and knew exactly where to look for help,” says Leonard. “I can’t say enough to thank her.”