Small Business Checklist: Deborah Gray's Story

Operating a small business comes with no shortage of challenges. The stress of longer hours and greater decisions is bolstered by the need to find creative solutions to the problems of everyday life, such as taking care of one’s healthcare.

“I’ve owned my own business since I was 19,” said Deborah Gray, longtime Colorado resident. “I’ve always felt it is my responsibility to have my healthcare taken care of, but being a small business owner means that I’m just a group of one, without the option for employer sponsored health insurance.”

Like many others, Gray found her way to healthsharing because of the Affordable Care Act, or “Obamacare.”

“I joined Liberty HealthShare sometime around 2017, shortly after Obamacare went into effect,” she recalled. “What started as the lowest price around ended up being unsustainable. I knew I had to find something else, and Liberty HealthShare was exactly what I needed.”

Cost and healthcare freedom were the two aspects of Liberty HealthShare membership that attracted Gray the most, and these initial incentives became superb experiences during her time as part of the Liberty HealthShare Community.

“Cost is of course the most important, but whenever I had to call to ask a question or get information I was connected with a real person within seconds. I never once hung up the phone not knowing how to proceed or what to do,” said Gray. “I had providers that I liked to utilize, and after working with both my providers and Liberty HealthShare I was able to get my providers to work with Liberty HealthShare to manage my healthcare needs. I didn’t lose the providers that I liked and trusted.”

Trust with her providers was paramount for Gray as she underwent prolotherapy, an injection-based treatment for chronic musculoskeletal pain. And Gray’s struggle wasn’t only discomfort, it was life-altering difficulty.

“I am an extremely active person, and being able to receive those treatments improved my quality of life immensely,” said Gray. “I was able to offset the costs of that treatment because of the support of the Liberty HealthShare community. I gained my life back. There are certain things I don’t know how people live without, and for me that’s God, America, and exercise!”

Being part of a community of faith that gave her the freedom to receive the care she needed was instrumental for Gray who, even in the midst of COVID-19, never stopped working and thinking of others.

Having recently transitioned to Medicare, Gray is already weighing the option of Liberty Assist, Liberty HealthShare’s Medicare supplement program as she continues her small business work as a hairdresser.

In the meantime, you can find Gray hiking, showcasing her backhand on the pickleball courts, or spending time with her adult children and granddaughter.

“It’s always a good day to be outside!”