How important it is to timely extend a helping hand to the disenfranchised and give hope that everything can change for the better. CEO and co-founder of My Insurance Services Inc., Alina Mukhopadhyay told us about where to seek support and how the idea of creating a company focused on solving the problems of people in difficult life situations was born
Alina, how did the idea of these programs. come about?
When the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine began, I became depressed and felt so hopeless that I am not doing enough to help people that are suffering. At this time my friends Yelena and Michael Obutkov meet with me and shared about new program that state is launching and this can help the people and maybe it’s worth looking in to. So, I did.
To connect to the Medi-Cal program as a medical provider, I WE gathered the necessary documents and started applying. There were big doubts that me, a little person without business experience in this field, would be granted permission for such activity. My Insurance Services Inc has been around over 16 years and now we’re branded to MISI with slogan “Community Solutions” We started with 5 employees, and we now served over 3500 families with help of over 105 employees.
What does your help consist of?
Today we offer few services. Housing Navigation and Deposit assistance, Sustaining Service, Enhanced Care Management and Doula.
Housing Navigation is where we help to find housing to those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Deposit Assistance is those who qualify we help them to receive first months’ rent and deposit in some cases last month’s rent as well. Plus, if members need Items like mattrass, headboards, TV, kitchen tables, sofa and other items to move in we make that arrangement and pay for it through the program.
Sustaining Service is where after the member moves in, we make sure to help them to receive and apply for PG&E, SMUD, interned discounts they might be eligible for, any trouble they encounter after moving in we help to resolve and guide. Goal is that we turn each family in to success story and watch them become independent.
Enhanced Care Management is helping people that are at high risk of medical support or high users of medical support. We coordinate everything related to members health. People who come to America with cultural and language barrier, without knowing how health care system works, laws, rules, often do not know where to start, where to turn, scared of potential cost/bill, leads to multiple ER visits costing the state billions. By helping these high utilizers with preventive, the idea is to bring that cost down and get members in better health. I went through these tribulations myself when my mother was sick and being immigrant myself, I instantly see how this is so mandatory to provide. It’s comforting to me that now there is an opportunity to help to those who need this help.
Doula is providing support to women that got pregnant with the pregnancy up until 1 month after delivery and during delivery to advocate on their behalf as each EE is aligned with members culture and language, so they became a great help to all parties involved.
Can any Ukrainian come, so to speak, off the street to My Insurance Services Inc. and ask to sort out their problems?
Yes! But this is open to all who hold Medical Plans Anthem, Molina, Partnership, Kaiser and Health Net as this is who we are contacted. No matter of what their immigration status, years lived in USA, race, nationality our doors are open to all! We now specialize in supporting Afghan’s, Americans, Ukrainians, Russian, Armenian, Romanian, Spanish and Indian populations.
Is My Insurance Services a non-profit organization?
We are a for profit we are CBO-Community Based Organization and we are partnered with multiple nonprofits that help us to get the word out about what we do.
Remember a case from your practice that touched your soul?
The story of every person is unique and significant, but a woman taxi driver comes to mind immediately. At one of the events, I learned about a Russian woman who borrowed money for a car (adding – from a stranger she meet at church gathering, she found a way to be uber eats driver to me a living and lives in the car because she is very uncomfortable in shelters and cannot afford a rent. Many times, she does stay at shelters to shower and get food. Moreover, she has many health problems. We offered her help, at first, she did not believe that it could be true. We found her a room. Her ins Plan paid for the initial moving in cost. Now she rents a room and was able to pay off the car loan and get a better job. ECM team keeps helping her with Dr visits and getting care she needs. It was a tough case but rewarding.
Alina, you have many businesses in IT, Real Estate, but is MIS your favorite child?
Yes, It’s the most rewarding I am blessed and if I can give back, I will keep doing it.
How do you see the development of the company?
We are open to helping in communities where there is need. If you believe you like this program I your county, please let us know. Currently we are launching few new locations and will announce them once we are ready. In 2025 focus is on.
