CountyCare Member Story

'CountyCare Is The Best,' Member Says After Losing Health Insurance Due To Personal Tragedies

Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, Rhonda Smith, a resident of Streamwood, has been a CountyCare member since 2019. After losing her son in a car accident in 2019, she was completely traumatized and grieving to the point where she could not perform at work. Ironically, Rhonda worked in the emergency department at Roseland Hospital, where she has seen trauma cases up close and personal and patients in critical condition, but she never thought she was going to be so close to a trauma case that will change her life forever. And that was only the beginning.

Two months after her son passed away, Rhonda lost her mom to a massive stroke, a month later, she lost her fiancé to a heart attack and just in February of 2020, her dad passed away from COVID-19.

With a heavy heart and trying to heal from these major personal losses, she realized she could not concentrate at work. She quit her job and with that, lost her health insurance.

Luckily, a coworker from her former employer, Roseland Hospital, arranged for her to have CountyCare. As a member of the health plan, Rhonda has access to key specialists within CountyCare’s network who are helping her move forward, both in life and with her medical conditions. She has seen a hand specialist, psychiatrist and chiropractic. All along she kept hearing from these health care professionals, “Your insurance got you here.” Her initial public aid insurance did not give her access to these specialists.



Just recently, she also spoke with her CountyCare care coordinator for the first time, who will work by her side to ensure she continues to stay on track as part of her wellness journey.

And that’s not all, Rhonda has also enjoyed her OTC Rewards Card, one of the many benefits she gets when a member completes certain health care services and medical appointments. “I have used the card when I had no money,” says Rhonda. “It has truly helped me a lot.” Her advice to others, “Use the services that are provided to you. If you have a problem, call CountyCare or your care coordinator.  They really help you,” says Rhonda. “CountyCare is the best, it has been the best for me.”