It only took this guy 3,118 attempts to get health care

After over 3,000 attempts online and after speaking to nearly 50 people, Lew Garrett finally can say that he has healthcare. WKYC NBC 3 News is bringing folks the story of the Massillon, Ohio contractor who is making a case to have his picture next to the word “persistent” in the dictionary.

Mr. Garrett, a self-employed independent contractor, knew he was going to need health insurance because his former plan had been canceled. He started on October 1st, and encountered the same problems that have been repeated ad nauseum. After spending hours trying to get signed up and not getting anywhere, he began to keep a log of how many times he tried and how many times he spoke with someone. Mr. Garrett told WKYC, “It was 3,118 attempts. I had spoken to 49 people and only three of which I would trust with my order at the McDonald's drive-through.”

On December 17, Garrett was able to claim to success…or did he? On Wednesday of this week he received an email from the Federal Marketplace notifying him that he still hadn’t signed up. This glitch turned out to be a minor one, however. After checking with his new insurance company he learned that he was all paid-up and good to go.

So, was it worth it? It seems so. Prior to the Affordable Care Act, Mr. Garrett was paying $500 per month. The rate for his new plan, which he describes as “more encompassing than the last one”? $13. As Lew told the station, “It's truly affordable.”

It only took this guy 3,118 attempts to get health care

Hey, I want his number!! I would love to be able to pay only $13 monthly for my health insurance.

I really love the persistence here.

A couple weeks ago a woman I worked with, another massage therapist who also hasn't has insurance in years because we have to buy it independently, posted on Facebook that she got hers on the health exchange. After subsidies her payment is $20 a month.

Once I get my w2's and 1099s and file my taxes from last year I'll be hitting the healthcare.gov. ooooh yeah then I'm going to a dermatologist to get my moles checked, a gynecologist, a dentist!! Haven't been to any if those in 8 years. Last time I had insurance was early January 2006. Then I'm going to an ENT to start the process of qualifying for a CI. I can't hardly wait

I am happy for the people to to get insurance after years of no health care.

THANK GOD again for NHS...i find it hard to accept a civerlized country can refuse health care

When I applied for it, I was told I didn't make enough to get a subsidy and would have to pay like 108% of my annual income for coverage. If I had coverage, I could finally get real treatment for my knees and it would cover some of my transition costs so I could finally start HRT.

Saavik said:

When I applied for it, I was told I didn't make enough to get a subsidy and would have to pay like 108% of my annual income for coverage. If I had coverage, I could finally get real treatment for my knees and it would cover some of my transition costs so I could finally start HRT.

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That's because you make little enough to qualify for Medicaid, you were on the wrong website to begin with.

ambrosia said:

That's because you make little enough to qualify for Medicaid, you were on the wrong website to begin with.

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State of Virginia refused to expand the Medicaid, that why.

Saavik, you can try in Nevada.

Foxrac said:

State of Virginia refused to expand the Medicaid, that why.

Saavik, you can try in Nevada.

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I hope it will be different out here, but I'm not expecting it to be, but I hope to find a policy that would cover HRT doctor costs as I can afford the meds.