Skip to main content
A heart attack, a second family, a life saved
August 21, 2024
Your Stories Healthy Voices
1 MINUTE READ

Ms. Nadine, the tribal enrollment officer for the Coharie Tribe, is someone the people of the tribe count on. When she suffered a heart attack in 2015, she had to count on her doctors and her Medicare Advantage HMO Standard plan from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC). Today, she’s back and doing as much as ever for her tribe and her community.
Ms. Nadine shares her story

[MUSIC]

[Nadine W.]

The doctor comes in after my surgery, and he said, "You know, you're not supposed to be here."

The man upstairs was just not ready for me yet.

[SCREEN TEXT] Nadine W., Member since 2015, Blue Medicare Essential Plus (HMO-POS)

He's got something else for you to do.

[MUSIC]

[SCREEN TEXT] The heart of Coharie

[SCREEN TEXT] Greg J., Coharie Tribal Administrator

It doesn't take long to be around Nadine for her to get to your heart. All of her life, she's been a caretaker.

[Nadine W.]

I'm a go-getter. I just love helping people, cooking, serving people. 

We need some costumes, can you make them for me? If you need me, I'm there. I really think they know that I'm puttin' my heart into it

[MUSIC]

[SCREEN TEXT] Though she never expected it, Ms. Nadine had a heart attack.

[Nadine W.]

I woke up about a quarter after 11 that night, and I was having problems breathing and I felt pressure in my chest.

I'm having a heart attack. I can't believe this, And then I thought about, "Oh, my God, I'm on a fixed income. How can I pay all of this hospital bill I'm going to have?"

But whenever I got my statement from Blue Cross and Blue Shield, I couldn't believe it.

[SCREEN TEXT] Ms. Nadine's heart attack happened in 2015 while she was on Blue Cross NC's Medicare Advantage HMO Standard plan (no longer available), and was responsible for paying $1,910. She is now on our Blue Medicare Essential Plus (HMO-POS).

[Nadine W.]

It has come in and just about wiped out the whole bill. Blue cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina was like a second family to me.

I have had insurance companies to try to get me to change, but no way. I can't leave my family.

God had something else for me to do. For me to come back and help my people.

And I thank God I have been able to do it.

Sometime I get a little weak, but I take a lick and keep on ticking.

[MUSIC]

[SCREEN TEXT] Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina

The following Blue Cross NC employees contributed to this story: John Fulton, dynamic media manager; Kyle Griffin, senior dynamic media producer; And Martin, dynamic media producer; and Dennis Whipper, senior copywriter.

Browse related articles

How reading together builds healthier families

From bedtime stories to bibliotherapy, see how reading is a critical tool for healthier children, stronger families, and thriving communities.

Read More

How ABCCM helped WNC hurricane survivors

After Hurricane Helene struck Western North Carolina, a local organization and Healthy Blue teamed up to provide care, food, and essentials.

Read More

Rebirth and recovery in Western NC

The road to recovery after Hurricane Helene is long, but Western North Carolina communities are rising to the challenge.

Read More

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability in its health programs and activities. Learn more about our non-discrimination policy and no-cost services available to you.

Information in other languages: Español   中文   Tiếng Việt   한국어   Français   العَرَبِيَّة   Hmoob   ру́сский   Tagalog   ગુજરાતી   ភាសាខ្មែរ   Deutsch   हिन्दी   ລາວ   日本語

© 2025 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. ®, SM Marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans. All other marks and names are property of their respective owners. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.