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>> Narrator: At 97 years old, doctor Oneta Furr is going strong. She's one of the longest
standing members of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas.
>> Dr. Oneta Furr: Blue Cross has been especially good to us in a couple of special situations
that were difficult for us. And Blue Cross worked it out.
>> Narrator: Doctor Furr has been a member since 1950. She and husband Bedford both lived
healthy lifestyles, but after a rough fall in 2001, Bedford struggled to recover.
>> Dr. Oneta Furr: And the expenses were terrific. There’s no way that we would've ever been
able to have paid for it. It would've taken every dime that we've been able to make.
>> Narrator: She says Blue Cross and Blue Shield played an integral role in helping
her husband receive three brain surgeries.
>> Dr. Oneta Furr: Health insurance is the nest egg that is there if you need it. If
you are told at 1 o’clock in the morning that your husband has to go to Lubbock and
have brain surgery, you don’t want to have to check your bank balance to see if you have
enough money.
>> Narrator: Over time, Dr. Furr established a relationship with her customer advocate
contacts like Bonnie Isenberg.
>> Bonnie Isenburg: A lot of people don’t stick with an insurance carrier as long as
Dr. Furr has. So, for someone to have the same coverage consistently and to establish
the contacts and know – ok – I can contact this person and it can get taken care of,
most people don’t utilize those outlets.
>> Dr. Oneta Furr: They couldn’t have been kinder. They couldn’t have been smarter.
They know the field. They know how to handle things properly – I did not, but they knew
how to take hold of the situation and handle it properly.
>> Narrator: She says because of their support through the years, she and her husband were
able to give back to the community. The Furr’s funded numerous college scholarships – and
in 2007, McMurry University named its alumni welcome center after the couple.
>> Dr. Oneta Furr: I felt that Blue Cross had a special place because they had done
more than just pay bills. They had been a friend – and a dear friend.
>> Narrator: Sadly, Dr. Furr’s husband Bedford passed away on the couples 69th wedding anniversary.
After his death, Dr. Furr sent this letter to Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
>> Dr. Oneta Furr: The last few years were difficult because of his health, but you made
it easier. I'm grateful for the excellent care you gave him for a long time. Sincerely,
Oneta.