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"I appreciate everything they do, and I hope that other people can take advantage of it to get themselves to the next step as well.”
What began as a routine trip to her local laundromat became something more for Ariona.
The mother of two from Pittsburgh had recently started her own business and needed health care coverage. Through a partnership between UPMC for You and Fabric Health, she got the help she needed — all while doing her laundry.
“When you start your own business, you're doing everything and then some,” Ariona says. “So, them stepping in to help me with that process was just amazing, and I'm just really grateful for it.”
The partnership allows UPMC for You and Fabric Health to meet people where they are in the community, such as laundromats. Fabric Health staff members are on-site to help people apply for assistance programs like Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and other services.
“It was so helpful because if you're a busy mom like me, you don't have time for a lot of things. So, for (someone) to get my attention, it was wonderful,” Ariona says.
Ariona says she is happy with how everything worked out for her and her family, including not having to switch doctors.
“I was able to stay with UPMC Health Plan, so that was great for me,” Ariona says. “I have two beautiful boys (ages 12 and 15), so they were able to be on the plan as well.”
With her health care coverage taken care of, Ariona has been focused on forging a new career path.
“I'm on two opposite sides of the spectrum, finance and being a creative and an artist, so it's working out great for me,” she says. “It has its challenges, of course, but anything that you want to work hard for takes that.”
Ariona encourages those needing health care assistance to take advantage of what Fabric Health can offer.
“I know that all this can be extremely daunting when you're going through the process,” she says. “But just being able to learn a lot of the process... there are things that you're probably not going to know. They're able to help with that. They're able to make the process easier, seamless.”
Residents can connect with Fabric Health staff in laundromats throughout western Pennsylvania, including Edgewood, Mt. Washington, Shadyside, South Park, and West Mifflin. The goal is to expand further to reach people in even more communities.
“I appreciate everything that they do, and I hope that other people can take advantage of it to get themselves to the next step as well,” Ariona says.
At UPMC, Life Changing Medicine means meeting people where they are to make access to support as easy as possible.
For more information, visit the UPMC Health Plan and Fabric Health websites.
Pittsburgh (KDKA): Fabric Health reinvents the laundromat experience in Pittsburgh communities.
