Emilia Ford of Brookhaven found unexpected help in paying for GED-related expenses from her Keystone First Medicaid plan, writes Phil Galewitz for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Ford dropped out of high school when she became pregnant and gave birth to a daughter. Over the next decade, she worked different jobs, but always thought of getting her GED.

However, finding tutors and paying for the set of four tests, which cost $30 each, proved difficult.

She turned to AmeriHealth Caritas, Keystone First’s parent company, which helps connect its Medicaid members with nonprofit groups that offer classes on GED test prep. The insurer also provides telephone coaching and pays the $120 for them to take all parts of the GED. If required, it also provides child care and transportation.

AmeriHealth Caritas is among insurers that have started paying for additional costs such as meals, transportation, or housing to improve members’ health and reduce their medical costs.

The help provided had a huge impact on Ford’s life. Now, she is a GED coach for other Medicaid members and the first of her nine siblings to get employer-based medical coverage.

“This is something big that my family was proud of,” said Ford.

Read more about Emilia Ford in the Philadelphia Inquirer by clicking here.