Elaya J. was optimistic when she scheduled her gastric sleeve surgery a few months in advance. She heard the surgery was life changing, and figured she had the time to save up to pay her $1,500 deductible. But with only a month left before her procedure, she’d only saved $500.
Then she got a call from Lantern. She learned that her surgery would be free thanks to the North Carolina State Health Plan’s new benefit. “Lantern literally saved me,” she said. “It took a huge weight off my shoulders. I needed that money for other things, and this gave me the chance to still take care of my life and my health.”
“Lantern literally saved me,” Elaya said. “It took a huge weight off my shoulders. I needed that money for other things, and this gave me the chance to still take care of my life and my health.”
Lantern Steps in at the Right Time
Financials aside, her experience with her surgeon and his staff was positive and left a lasting imprint on her. “My Lantern surgeon was amazing from start to finish,” she shared. “We met at least twice before my surgery, and the whole facility was just amazing.”
For support after surgery, Elaya was set up with a nutritionist, a psychologist and a dedicated team of experts who walked her through every step of her care journey. “I never felt alone through this process,” she said. “They really made sure I had everything I needed.”
Support Beyond the Operating Room
A little over a month after her surgery, Elaya had already lost more than 36 pounds and was in good spirits from her experience. “Lantern lit my way back to living life,” she shared. “It gave me the opportunity to better my life, my eating habits and my lifestyle. It was all a process, and Lantern made it possible for me to fully take advantage of it.”
Now, Elaya is spending time raving about Lantern to her coworkers now that she knows how simple it is to get in touch. “I was the first one at my job to use Lantern since it had just started for the State of North Carolina,” she said. “I was so excited. I told my coworkers right away: ‘my surgery is going to be covered!’ This made my process so much quicker, and it was amazing.”
When coworkers ask about Lantern, Elaya lets them in on the simple next step: just call Lantern and speak with a Care Advocate. “If there’s anything you need, just reach out,” she said. “They really help guide you through everything.”
Elaya credits both Lantern and the State of North Carolina for making her surgery possible. “Thank you to Lantern and the State of North Carolina for partnering together and making this process so much easier for me,” she said. “Without it, I honestly don’t think I would’ve been able to afford my surgery, even though I was saving. This changed everything.”
“Without [Lantern], I honestly don’t think I would’ve been able to afford my surgery, even though I was saving. This changed everything.”
