Colorado HealthOP’s Alliance with Warner Pacific Marks the First General Agent Relationship in the Nation For State Cooperatives

Denver, CO, May 14, 2013 — Colorado HealthOP, Colorado’s first statewide nonprofit health insurance cooperative, announced today that it has penned an agreement with Warner Pacific to distribute its soon to be launched health plans in Colorado. Warner Pacific’s network of nearly 1,000 insurance broker representatives in Colorado will offer Colorado HealthOP’s line-up of health insurance plans to accelerate the nonprofit’s ability to reach Coloradans across the state with affordable, quality coverage. This alliance is the first general agent relationship among the state health cooperatives nationwide.

“Colorado HealthOP’s launch represents a big step forward in improving healthcare in the state. We are pleased to have found a partner in Warner Pacific to share our vision of ensuring that Coloradans have access to affordable, quality insurance coverage,” said Julia Hutchins, chief executive officer of Colorado HealthOP. “Warner Pacific has a proven track record of helping brokers serve individuals and small businesses in the state, and particularly those in the rural areas.”

A member-driven health insurance cooperative, Colorado HealthOP will provide a variety of health insurance options for individuals and employers in both urban and rural communities across Colorado. Enrollment for Colorado HealthOP plans will begin October 1, 2013, to coincide with the availability of Connect for Health Colorado, the state’s online health insurance marketplace. Coverage will begin January 1, 2014. Plans will be available on the marketplace, through a network of brokers and agents, and on Colorado HealthOP’s website at www.COHealthOP.org. Subsidies and financial assistance may be available through Connect for Health Colorado for individuals who qualify.

“As Coloradans actively explore their options to comply with health insurance requirements, they will seek insurance alternatives that make sense for their individual needs and lifestyles,” said John Kurath, vice president sales of Warner Pacific. “Colorado HealthOP’s member-driven model, with the emphasis on preventive health, presents our broker network with a truly unique offering to share with their clients.”

Warner Pacific is one of the top-producing general agencies for many of the nation’s largest health insurance carriers. Family owned, Warner Pacific provides agents the tools, resources and support they need to serve their clients’ insurance needs.

“Establishing relationships with brokers is a big part of our overall strategy as we seek to provide consumers with every opportunity to receive education and guidance on the right health insurance decision for them,” said Brad O’Neill, Colorado HealthOP’s senior broker relations officer. “We expect this will be the first of many highly selective broker relationships that Colorado HealthOP will sign in order to make our plans accessible to Coloradans across the state.”

For more information about Colorado HealthOP, please visit www.COHealthOP.org.

About Colorado HealthOP
Colorado HealthOP offers a new alternative to traditional health insurance in Colorado. A nonprofit health insurance cooperative, Colorado HealthOP and its members are committed to providing affordable, quality coverage to individuals and employers interested in making a difference in their own health, their employees’ health and the health of their community. Colorado HealthOP aims to improve health outcomes by putting the responsibility for consumers’ care back into the hands of the cooperative’s members and providers. A private market solution tailored for individuals and employers, Colorado HealthOP will begin open enrollment on October 1, 2013 via Connect for Health Colorado, Colorado’s health insurance marketplace, and through independent brokers and agents. Coverage will begin January 1, 2014. For more information about Colorado HealthOP, please visit www.COHealthOP.org or call 720.627.8900.

Contact:
Shannon Fern
Communications Strategy Group
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, Colo 80206
303-433-7020
shannon.fern@COHealthOP.org
http://www.csg-pr.com