Construction worker can focus on recovery thanks to Swedish

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Removing barriers to care | Affordable care in Seattle

As a construction worker, Gerardo needs full use of his hands for his livelihood. An accident at his home in Lynnwood, Wash., left him with a damaged tendon in one of his fingers and put his work in danger.

It also nearly put his finances in jeopardy, as he can’t afford health insurance right now.

Fortunately, Gerardo found a surgeon who repaired his tendon at a Swedish hospital in Seattle, and he is now receiving physical therapy. He’s hoping to get back to work this summer.

“I was really worried - I thought I might lose my finger,” he said. “They told me that my injury wasn’t as bad as it could have been. Everyone at Swedish has been so nice.”

Best of all, Swedish took care of the costs for him after he qualified for financial assistance.

“That’s so huge because it takes some of the stress away,” Gerardo says. “Not working is stressful enough. Having bills and not working, that would have made it worse.”

Swedish offers free or low-cost care for eligible patients like Gerardo, who need financial assistance. It’s a vital part of the nonprofit organization’s community benefit investments because it helps patients to get the care they need, regardless of their ability to pay.

“I’m so grateful for everything Swedish has done for me,” Gerardo says. “Once I can start working again, I’d like to give back somehow.”

In 2021, Swedish provided financial assistance to more than 17,684 patients in need.

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