Anonymous Donor Assists with Insurance Payments

Columbia, S.C. (WOLO) — An unexpected donation to The Cooperative Ministry in Columbia will ensure thousands of Midlands residents already enrolled in the Affordable Care Act are able to keep their insurance coverage. It was a phone call the folks at The Cooperative Ministry in Columbia were sure was a joke. An anonymous person reached out to say they had a donation that would help the working poor and others who enrolled in the Affordable Care Act keep their insurance plans by assisting in paying for their insurance premiums. “We did some double takes, then did some vetting and realized it was legitimate,” said Wanda Pearson, strategy impact officer with organization. According to Pearson, “the initial contribution is $208,000. The average income of a person we work with here is below $19,000 a year. But, being able to keep that insurance once you get it can be a bigger challenge than people anticipated.” Through the insurance Payment Assistance Program, or IPAP, the donor has enabled the organization to assist in a way it never has before. “It’s heartwarming to know you can help somebody because we’ve had to tell so many people we can’t help them,” said Lorena Kelly, service plan manager. The donor’s only condition is recipients prove they’ve made the first month’s premium and subsequent monthly payments will be handled through the end of this year. The donation covers up to $599 per person, per policy. Here’s how you may qualify: Reside in Richland, Lexington or Fairfield County; be enrolled in a Silver Plan through the ACA Marketplace, via healthcare.gov and have qualified for advance premium tax credits; and meet application guidelines for household income. Fifty people have already benefited from the good Samaritan’s gift. The cooperative ministry signed up 3,300 people prior to the ACA deadline. They are hoping now the word is out about a generous donation, they will be able to assist even more people in keeping their insurance coverage. That donor says if things go well this time around, they are willing to assist again when enrollment begins November 15. For more information, you may contact The Cooperative Ministry at 803-799-3853 X602.