Jennifer Barlett sees the cracks everyday. As a supervisor for MedAssist, a third-party recovery company that contracts with Trident Health System, her job is to try to fill the gaps.
She scours Medicaid, Medicare, charities and long-term payment plans to help uninsured people find ways to pay their medical bills.
In one family Barlett is counseling, the wife lost her job, and also the health insurance that covered her and her husband. The couple tried to go it alone, becoming self-employed, but when he fell gravely ill, they had to close the business.
“No health insurance. No money,” Barlett said. They’re waiting to hear from Medicaid and Social Security.