A stroke changed his life. Being prepared helped him move forward.

June 15, 2026

For many men, health can sometimes take a back seat. Symptoms get dismissed, checkups get skipped, and for some, the cost — or lack of coverage — makes it easy to put off care that shouldn’t wait.

But life has a way of shifting priorities, often without warning. Florida Blue member Father Jose Rodriguez understands this firsthand.

As a community health worker, volunteer, and Episcopal priest, Father Jose has spent most of his adult life helping others navigate complex situations. But in 2025, he faced one of his own: a second stroke. 

“It happens fast,” he said. “One moment you’re fine. The next, everything changes.”

For Father Jose, being prepared and having Florida Blue health insurance was the difference between recovering and starting over.

A complex journey

Father Jose’s health journey didn’t begin in 2025. Since his first stroke in 2021, he had been managing complications from a previous illness, including neurological symptoms, thyroid issues, and additional stroke-like episodes, before experiencing his second stroke in April 2025.

That was when Father Jose really put his health coverage to the test. His recovery required a network of specialists, including behavioral health providers, endocrinologists, and ongoing monitoring, along with medications that, at times, cost thousands of dollars each month.

“It was overwhelming,” he admits. “But I wasn’t navigating it alone.”

Father Jose says because of his Florida Blue coverage, his out-of-pocket costs were minimal, and he had access to the care he needed without having to delay treatment. “I was able to build a ‘dream team’ of in-network providers, without having to settle,” he said.

Just as important, when challenges came up, like prior authorizations or coordinating care, he could reach out and get real help.

“When you’re dealing with something this serious, you don’t have time to figure everything out on your own,” he said. “You need support. You need things to work.”

Insurance is assurance

That support became even more critical during one of the hardest chapters of his life. After losing his job amid his health challenges, Father Jose and his family faced significant financial strain. At times, they relied on community resources to get by.

Even then, he made it a priority to maintain his health coverage.

“I’ve been at the bottom,” he said. “And I can’t imagine trying to come back from that without insurance. It’s not just a bill. It’s your ability to recover, to function, to keep going.”

Today, he continues to manage his health while supporting his family, including a child with special health care needs. Because he enrolled on the Individual Marketplace, he has changed plans as his budget has shifted, always staying with Florida Blue because of the care and support he’s received throughout the years.

“The option isn’t no insurance or insurance,” he said. “It’s which insurance will I get. To have that choice when you’ve almost lost everything. That’s a life-affirming thing.”

A powerful message

Father Jose’s experience has only deepened that perspective, both as a patient and as someone who helps others navigate care.

“We all know someone who’s been through a medical crisis. You’re not as far from it as you may think,” he said. “Taking care of your health isn’t just about checkups. It’s about being prepared — for yourself, and for the people who count on you.”

For him, health coverage isn’t just another monthly expense. It’s something more immediate, more essential.

“Insurance is assurance. It’s knowing that when life happens — and it will — you’re not facing it alone. Florida Blue has been with me through all my life changes,” he said. “And I’ve had some crazy ones.”

If you’re looking for support and resources, reach out to Florida Blue to see what’s available in your community. You can also stop by a Florida Blue Center near you to speak with a community specialist.