Laundromats Serve as a Hub for Health Coverage Outreach
In Suitland, Maryland, just south of Washington, D.C., the atmosphere at a SuperSuds Laundromat is not just about washing clothes. It’s also a place where people like Brendan Glover, a young man who lost his health coverage, can connect with outreach workers like Adrienne Jones from Fabric Health.
Glover, a 25-year-old law enforcement worker, found himself uninsured after a job change in 2024. Despite his youth, he understands the importance of having health coverage for the future. Jones, in her bright yellow sweatshirt, approached Glover at the laundromat, offering assistance in finding affordable coverage. She collected his contact information, provided him with a gift card for his laundry expenses, and assured him of their support in securing the necessary health coverage.
Fabric Health, a D.C.-based startup, has taken a unique approach to reaching lower-income individuals who may struggle to access health care through traditional means. By sending bilingual outreach workers to laundromats in Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia, the company aims to build relationships, establish trust, and connect people with government assistance programs.
The initiative has been successful in connecting with over 20,000 individuals in Maryland and Pennsylvania since 2023. Medicaid health plans, such as CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield in Maryland, UPMC in Pittsburgh, and Jefferson Health in Philadelphia, have partnered with Fabric Health to engage with their enrollees and help them navigate the complex health care system.
Pennie, Pennsylvania’s ACA marketplace, has also enlisted Fabric Health’s services to educate uninsured individuals about coverage options and enroll them in the program. Devon Trolley, Pennie’s executive director, praised Fabric Health’s innovative approach, noting that it has helped raise awareness about the marketplace among uninsured populations.
The human-centered approach of engaging with individuals in familiar places like laundromats has proven to be effective. For enrollees, the convenience of discussing health coverage options while doing their laundry makes the process more accessible and less intimidating. Health plans have also seen an increase in performance payments tied to enrollee satisfaction and service utilization.
Sheila Yahyazadeh, chief external operations officer for the CareFirst plan, emphasized the importance of human interaction in promoting health coverage. Fabric Health’s outreach workers, like Adrienne Jones, have been instrumental in connecting individuals like Patti Hayes with essential health services and resources.
Hayes, a Medicaid enrollee from Hyattsville, Maryland, appreciated the personal touch of Fabric Health’s outreach program. With Jones’s assistance, she was able to find a new primary care physician and schedule appointments for her health needs. The initiative’s impact extends beyond just connecting individuals with coverage; it also helps them navigate the complex health care system and access the care they need.
Fabric Health’s proactive approach, including follow-up texts and in-person meetings at laundromats, ensures that individuals stay engaged and informed about their health coverage options. Paola Flores, a Medicaid enrollee from Clinton, Maryland, praised the assistance she received in switching plans to better care for her autistic child.
Ryan Moran, Maryland’s Medicaid director, commended Fabric Health for its role in keeping individuals enrolled during the Medicaid “unwinding” process. By focusing on high-disenrollment areas and providing on-the-ground support, Fabric Health has helped individuals navigate the renewal process and maintain their coverage.
In conclusion, the innovative outreach efforts of Fabric Health demonstrate the power of human connection in promoting health coverage and access to care. By meeting individuals where they are, whether at the laundromat or in their community, outreach workers can build trust, provide support, and empower individuals to take charge of their health and well-being.
