Tag Archives: Colorado HealthOP

Consumers Invited to Take Control of Health Insurance Company

Colorado’s Health Insurance CO-OP Opens Board of Directors Applications

Denver, CO, May 20, 2014 — Colorado HealthOP, Colorado’s first statewide health insurance CO-OP, has initiated a significant shift in how insurance companies are run, introducing greater member control into an industry that historically has had very little. The CO-OP announced today it is now seeking applications for its board of directors, inviting nearly 14,000 of its new Colorado members to run for a seat. The board of directors is elected by CO-OP members, and at least 80 percent of the board will be comprised of CO-OP members by the end of 2015. Board members will have formal decision-making authority to initiate changes in the CO-OP that will benefit all CO-OP members.

“Because Colorado HealthOP is controlled by our members, and not by outside investors, the CO-OP will become what our members want and need it to be – health insurance that is focused on improving the health of our members and the health of the communities we serve,” said Julia Hutchins, chief executive officer of Colorado HealthOP.

In this trailblazing model of member governance, Colorado HealthOP’s board members will be responsible for ensuring that member interests are reflected in the CO-OP’s decisions and actions, with an ultimate goal of lowering costs and providing more efficient and valuable health coverage to Colorado HealthOP members. Specific responsibilities include strategic goal setting, providing input into budgeting and financial reporting, developing policies for CO-OP business operations and overseeing the CEO.

“This call for applications represents a revolutionary time in healthcare,” Hutchins said. “Across the country, health insurance CO-OPs are doing for health insurance what the cooperative model has done for agriculture, electricity and countless other industries; we are introducing greater consumer control, improving efficiency and bringing consumer-demanded change to the healthcare industry.”

Colorado HealthOP opened its board of directors application process on May 1, 2014. Members can submit applications until July 7, 2014. A Nominations and Outreach committee will review all applications and conduct two rounds of applicant interviews to develop a diverse slate of candidates that will be presented to Colorado HealthOP’s members in August. Members will have the opportunity to vote for their board representatives in September and October. The new 11-member board will be seated at the CO-OP’s annual meeting in October.

Colorado HealthOP’s founding board of directors, who will continue to oversee the CO-OP’s operations until the new board is seated, is comprised of a group of volunteer healthcare professionals, policymakers and advocates.

About Colorado HealthOP
Colorado HealthOP is Colorado’s first statewide nonprofit health insurance CO-OP. As a member-governed alternative to traditional health insurance, 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. The CO-OP aims to improve health outcomes by putting the responsibility for consumers’ care back into the hands of its members and providers. For more information about Colorado HealthOP, please visit www.COHealthOP.org or call 720.627.8900.

Contact:
Anna Beaty
CSG PR
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303-433-7020
abeaty@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

 

Colorado HealthOP Encourages Colorado’s Moms to Get Covered

New Healthcare Law Makes Health Insurance More Affordable and Accessible for Mothers and Moms-to-Be

Denver, CO, February 19, 2014 — Colorado HealthOP, Colorado’s first statewide nonprofit health insurance cooperative, reports that 1 in 5 women enrolling in its plans are moms – women with at least one dependent. Because the new healthcare law affords women with children more comprehensive healthcare options that are tailored to their needs, Colorado HealthOP is committed to helping more moms get covered.

“You’ve likely seen the many insurance campaigns featuring moms prompting their adult children to get health insurance, which is important,” said Julia Hutchins, chief executive officer of Colorado HealthOP. “Equally as important is moms – and dads – seeking coverage for themselves. Many benefits of the new healthcare law make it easier and less expensive for moms to get the care they need.”

In 2011, 15 percent of Colorado parents were uninsured, according to data from Kids Count. Uninsured women are more likely to have inadequate access to care, get a lower standard of care when they are in the health system, and have poorer health outcomes, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Colorado HealthOP is dedicated to educating moms about the benefits that the new healthcare law provides, including the following eight facts that Colorado women should know.

1. You may be able to get help paying for your health insurance. Moms who qualify can apply for income-based tax credits to help cover the costs of insurance premiums.

2. You can keep your children on your policy until they turn 26. They can be kept on your plan even if they are married, not living with you or eligible to participate in their own employer’s plan.

3. You are entitled to free preventive care, including birth control. Preventive services, including well-woman visits, screenings for disease, contraceptives and family planning counseling are covered at no charge. Most FDA-approved birth control methods are all covered without co-pays.

4. If you have a baby, your maternity care will be covered. Maternity care is considered one of the 10 essential health benefits that must be covered by all health plans beginning in 2014.

5. If you are a breastfeeding mom, you are covered. The new healthcare law requires health plans to cover the costs of breastfeeding equipment and breastfeeding counseling without a co-pay.

6. You cannot be charged more because you are a woman. In the past, insurers were allowed to charge women a higher insurance premium than men purchasing the same coverage. The new healthcare law prohibits this “gender rating.”

7. You can buy health insurance just for your kids. If you do not want to cover yourself, you can still cover your kids. However, any adults without coverage may be required to pay a tax penalty.

8. Keeping your kids’ teeth healthy will be easier. Pediatric dental care is covered as one of the essential health benefits.

“The new healthcare law makes health insurance more affordable and accessible for many Colorado families,” said Hutchins. “If Colorado parents think their families can’t afford health insurance, I urge them to contact us to learn how they can join a cooperative health plan that is committed to making health insurance more affordable.”

Colorado moms can shop for Colorado HealthOP health insurance plans on the state’s health insurance marketplace, Connect for Health Colorado. For more information about Colorado HealthOP’s plans or to get a quote, please visit 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 in October 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:
Anna Beaty
CSG PR
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303-433-7020
abeaty@CoHealthOP.org
http://www.csg-pr.com

One in 10 Coloradans Choose Colorado HealthOP on State’s Health Insurance Marketplace

Member-Driven Health Insurance Reports Significant Gain Among State’s Newly Insured

Denver, CO, January 25, 2013 — Colorado’s first statewide cooperative health insurance carrier, Colorado HealthOP, has made significant progress in the Colorado health insurance marketplace. The CO-OP announced today that it holds 10 percent market share among Coloradans who enrolled in health insurance on Connect for Health Colorado.

New Colorado HealthOP members point to the insurer’s member-driven philosophy and its focus on preventive care as reasons they chose the CO-OP when shopping on the exchange.

Brian Novak of Denver, a newly enrolled Colorado HealthOP member, hasn’t always had a positive outlook on health insurance. Novak is a type 1 diabetic and cancer survivor. He is also very active and health-conscious, but his pre-existing conditions have made it difficult for him to get quality health insurance coverage in the past. Colorado HealthOP’s non-exclusive policies mean that his medical history is no longer a roadblock to improved preventive coverage.

“When I started researching (on the exchange) I couldn’t find anything that worked for me,” said Novak, the 41-year-old self-employed outdoor adventure enthusiast. “I found Colorado HealthOP. I was intrigued by the idea of a non-profit health insurance company. It resonated with me because they are proactive about keeping members costs down and member health a priority. This was a very different approach to healthcare than I had experienced with other insurance companies. It made sense.”

Colorado HealthOP credits its market momentum to its cooperative business model and value-based benefits. These philosophies and practices allow the organization to provide sustainable healthcare options to Colorado consumers.

These philosophies have clearly resonated with Coloradans. In some areas of the state, the CO-OP’s market share exceeds 25 percent. This is no small feat for a company that began operating just over a year ago.

“We are very encouraged by our enrollment numbers,” said Julia Hutchins, chief executive officer of Colorado HealthOP. “They really affirm that our member-driven, cooperative business model is not only attractive but necessary to Colorado consumers.”

Colorado HealthOP’s current enrollment numbers meet the CO-OP’s membership projections and put the insurer on track to meet its first-year enrollment goals.

The CO-OP has seen the following enrollment trends:

* Colorado HealthOP holds especially strong market share among marketplace shoppers in the following areas of the state:

* Boulder County 27.0%

* Summit County 22.0%

* Park County 21.7%

* Denver County 11.8%

* On average, more than 60 people per day have signed up for Colorado HealthOP policies.

* The average age of Colorado HealthOP enrollees is two years younger than all Coloradans who have enrolled on the state marketplace.

Coloradans can enroll in Colorado HealthOP plans on the state’s online health insurance marketplace, Connect for Health Colorado, through March 31, 2014.

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 in October 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:
Anna Beaty
CSG PR
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303-433-7020
abeaty@COHealthOP.org
http://www.csg-pr.com

Colorado HealthOP Exposes the Crushing Costs of Not Having Health Insurance

CO-OP’s #FAIL Campaign Uses Campy Scenarios to Show the High Costs of Failing to be Covered

Denver, CO, Dec 10, 2013 – Colorado HealthOP, Colorado’s first statewide non-profit health insurance cooperative, today launched a new awareness campaign to educate “young invincibles” about the potential costs of not having health insurance.

Dubbed “#FAIL,” Colorado HealthOP’s online campaign highlights how expensive a careless act can be.

As the December 23 health insurance enrollment deadline approaches, healthy but uninsured Coloradans may overlook the high cost of an unanticipated or unexpected medical issue. In 2011, more than one in 10 Americans experienced an unintentional injury or poisoning, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). CDC data also show that unintentional injury is the leading cause of death among Americans under 45.

“While this campaign is lighthearted, it has a serious message,” said Julia Hutchins, chief executive officer of Colorado HealthOP. “Even if you’re generally healthy, being overzealous or clumsy can have very real financial or health consequences.  Health insurance is about getting covered now so that you won’t be exposed later.”

The campaign kicks off this week and runs through the end of January 2014. It includes a series of #FAIL memes that illustrate the hard costs associated with relatable but scatterbrained injuries.

For example, if you drop a box on your foot and break your toes, it could cost you $18,000 without insurance. The costs were estimated from Healthcarebluebook.com, an online resource that helps consumers “determine fair prices” for healthcare services in their area.

To check out the #FAIL memes, visit Colorado HealthOP’s social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

These scenarios are available to the media. Please see included examples. Interested parties can obtain digital artwork from Colorado HealthOP’s media contact, Anna Beaty.

This campaign is solely produced by Colorado HealthOP and is not connected to or endorsed by the state’s health insurance marketplace, Connect for Health Colorado.

Colorado HealthOP’s cooperative business model and value-based benefits allow the non-profit to provide a sustainable health insurance option to Colorado consumers. Coloradans can currently enroll in Colorado HealthOP plans through the state’s marketplace, Connect for Health Colorado. Colorado HealthOP members will be eligible to receive their value-based benefits starting January 1, 2014.

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 plans are available 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:
Anna Beaty
CSG PR
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303-433-7020
abeaty@COHealthOP.org
http://www.csg-pr.com

Colorado HealthOP Officially Open for Business

Statewide Health Insurance CO-OP Launches Campaign to Help Coloradans Without Health Insurance Get Covered

Denver, CO, October 1, 2013 — Today, as healthcare marketplaces open across the country, Colorado HealthOP, one of 23 new health insurance cooperatives launching nationwide today as a result of the Affordable Care Act, announced it is now selling health insurance plans to Coloradans. Colorado HealthOP’s health insurance policies are available on Connect for Health Colorado, the state’s online health insurance exchange, and through a statewide network of brokers. Coverage becomes effective in 2014.

As part of its emergence on the health insurance market, Colorado HealthOP, Colorado’s only statewide consumer-operated and oriented health plan, launched an aggressive campaign today to help Coloradans without health insurance Get Covered. The campaign kicked off this morning with “exposed” models on Denver’s high traffic 16th Street Mall handing out “Get Covered” cards designed to awaken consumers to the need for health insurance and outline the steps to buy coverage.

“More than 1.5 million people in Colorado lack adequate health insurance, which leaves them exposed to health problems and high medical bills. As a CO-OP focused on improving health, it’s our mission to raise awareness and help all Coloradans get covered with quality, affordable health insurance,” said Julia Hutchins, CEO of Colorado HealthOP.

As a health insurance CO-OP, Colorado HealthOP is turning health insurance upside down:

1. Colorado HealthOP is governed by its members:
Colorado HealthOP does not have shareholders; instead members have a voice in how the company is run. Members elect and can serve on the board of directors. When the organization’s revenue is greater than costs, Colorado HealthOP members influence how the excess is used — by lowering premiums, adding benefits or making other improvements.

2. Colorado HealthOP’s plans reward healthy behaviors:
Colorado HealthOP protects its members when they’re sick or injured—but the CO-OP also helps members get and stay healthy. After enrolling in most Colorado HealthOP insurance plans, members can take simple preventive health actions to upgrade to an enhanced plan. In an enhanced plan, members will pay less out-of-pocket when they see a doctor, and receive money on a debit card they can use to pay for health expenses.

3. Colorado HealthOP offers members choices that can reduce costs:
Colorado HealthOP offers a range of plans so that individuals and families can make a choice that meets their financial and healthcare needs. The health insurance plan options include those that offer flexibility with a robust provider network, as well as tailored plans with more limited networks that people can purchase at a lower cost.

Colorado HealthOP members in some health insurance plans can also keep their healthcare costs lower by choosing from a list of preferred providers who are committed to improving quality and reducing cost.

“Coloradans have been waiting for a health insurance plan like ours, one that has their best interests at heart,” Hutchins said. “We are excited to have this opportunity to help more Coloradans get insured.”

How to Enroll
Coloradans can sign up for Colorado HealthOP health insurance by visiting Connect for Health Colorado’s website or calling Colorado HealthOP toll-free at 855-796-7676. The CO-OP’s local customer service representatives can help Coloradans enroll and answer questions about Colorado HealthOP plans. Local brokers can also help Coloradans find and enroll in plans.

Tax credits are available to people who qualify to help reduce the cost of their health insurance. Colorado HealthOP provides a free online health insurance tax credit calculator to help individuals determine if they may be eligible. For more information about Colorado HealthOP or to learn more about changes in healthcare, 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 in October 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:
Anna Beaty
Communications Strategy Group
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303-433-7020
anna.beaty@COHealthOP.org
http://www.csg-pr.com

Colorado HealthOP Turns Health Insurance Upside Down with Focus on Choice and Prevention, Not Profits

New Health Insurance CO-OP Announces Five Progressive Programs that Give Coloradans More Control Over Their Medical Costs and Care

Denver, CO, September 25, 2013 — Colorado HealthOP, Colorado’s first statewide non-profit health insurance cooperative (CO-OP), announced today that it will offer five progressive programs designed to give consumers more choice in their healthcare, help them stay healthier and ultimately reduce their healthcare spending.

“Because Colorado HealthOP reports to members, not shareholders, investing in members’ long-term health – not short-term profits – is a priority,” said Jack Westfall, MD, chief medical officer of Colorado HealthOP. “By investing in preventive care and giving members more choices, we will not only improve members’ health, but also hope to save them more money now and in the future.”

Colorado HealthOP’s five programs emphasize preventive care and encourage members to make choices that help them get healthy, stay healthy, and save money.

1. Rewards Members for Staying Healthy
Under most of Colorado HealthOP’s health insurance plans, when members take three health actions each, they will:
* Pay less out-of-pocket when they visit the doctor.
* Earn money on a debit card to use to pay for healthcare expenses.

2. Partners With Doctors that Cost Less
Colorado HealthOP members have two ways of saving money when they go to the doctor.
* Members can choose a plan with a more limited network that costs less.
* Colorado HealthOP has partnered with doctors who believe in the CO-OP’s mission. When members go to these doctors, they often pay less.

3. Helps Children Remain Cavity Free at Three
Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in young children, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Yet the majority of health plans do not cover infant and toddler oral care provided by a primary care physician. Colorado HealthOP will pay for covered children to receive four oral health visits, including preventive fluoride varnish, between the ages of 6 months and 4 years from their primary care provider. The CO-OP is partnering with Cavity Free at Three, a program of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, to train primary care physicians to provide dental care for infants.

4. Covers Home Blood Pressure Monitoring at 100 Percent
The American Heart Association recommends home monitoring for anyone with high blood pressure. When people measure their blood pressure at home several times a week and report it to their doctors online, doctors see a more accurate picture of health and can more quickly respond to issues, helping people with high blood pressure better manage their condition. Colorado HealthOP will cover 100 percent of the costs associated with home monitoring for its members with high blood pressure. And finally Colorado HealthOP will pay primary care providers an annual fee to cover home blood pressure management.

5. Gives Members the Tools to Price Shop
While most people compare prices when purchasing almost anything, few price shop when seeking medical care. To help its members compare costs prior to seeking medical care, Colorado HealthOP will provide pricing and quality ratings for local providers of surgery, medical tests and other common procedures.

“Colorado HealthOP is not just a health insurance company; we partner with our members and their providers,” said Dr. Westfall. “We believe that the role of health insurance extends beyond covering people when they’re sick or injured; we want to support our members’ health, nutrition and fitness, and help them be more informed consumers of healthcare services.”

For more information about Colorado HealthOP or to learn more about changes in healthcare, 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 in October 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:
Anna Beaty
CSG PR
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, Colo., 80206
303-433-7020
anna.beaty@COHealthOP.org
http://www.COHealthOP.org

Colorado HealthOP Appoints Dr. Jack Westfall as Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Westfall Will Develop New Health Promotion Model Focused on Collaboration Among Healthcare Providers and CO-OP Members

Denver, CO, June 05, 2013 – In an effort to build a health insurance model that helps its members be sustainably healthy, Colorado HealthOP, Colorado’s first statewide nonprofit health insurance cooperative (CO-OP), has engaged a leading expert in family medicine and rural health as its new chief medical officer. Jack Westfall, MD, MPH, will lead Colorado HealthOP’s efforts to support member health needs by building a robust statewide network of care, developing Colorado HealthOP’s integrated care model and population health programs, and optimizing the CO-OP’s clinical effectiveness.

“The aspiration to partner with patients and providers around improving health is a key concept of the CO-OP,” said Julia Hutchins, CEO of Colorado HealthOP. “Dr. Westfall’s expertise in family medicine, preventive care and rural health coupled with his experience in community health promotion will allow us to make this idea a reality for our members.”

Colorado HealthOP offers quality, affordable Colorado insurance plans to residents of the state, with a special focus on rural areas. As the CO-OP’s chief medical officer, Dr. Westfall will lead the development of a new model for promoting health. While insurance companies have historically provided support for when people are ill, Colorado HealthOP, led by Dr. Westfall, will build an environment that not only provides “sick care,” but also supports healthy living. In an effort to optimize Colorado HealthOP’s potential to be an enabler of health rather than a barrier to care, Dr. Westfall will work with healthcare providers to maximize quality of care and minimize bureaucracy associated with claims. He will additionally lend his expertise to the CO-OP’s benefit design to ensure that the benefit structure supports prevention and health maintenance.

“Colorado HealthOP is building a collaboration among the group that pays, the group that provides and the patient who needs healthcare; these three groups that have historically worked separately and at odds with one another now work together in our model,” said Dr. Westfall. “In Colorado HealthOP’s model, we will take existing concepts and constructs that have been shown to support health, pull them together into one organization and implement them in Colorado.“

Dr. Westfall serves as clinical professor of family medicine for the University of Colorado School of Medicine, an institution where he has held multiple teaching appointments since 1995, served as associate dean for rural health from 2004 to 2013, and was the Patrick and Kathleen Thompson endowed chair in rural health from 2008 to 2013. Board certified in family practice, Dr. Westfall has served as a family physician at the Yuma Clinic in Yuma, Colo., at Plains Medical Center in Limon, Colo. and for Rose Family Medicine in Denver. He is the founder and director of the High Plains Research Network, a practice and community based network that aims to improve health in eastern Colorado. He has also served as director of community engagement for the Colorado Clinical Translational Science Institute, a collaboration among the University of Colorado Denver, University of Colorado Boulder, and multiple healthcare and community organizations with a goal to accelerate the application of research into improved patient care and public health.

Dr. Westfall is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, the Colorado Academy of Family Physicians, the American Public Health Association, the Colorado Public Health Association, the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, the Colorado Rural Health Center and the National Rural Health Association.

Among other awards, Dr. Westfall has received the Chancellor’s Diversity Award from the University of Colorado Denver and the North American Primary Care Research Group President’s Award.

Dr. Westfall received his doctorate and a master’s degree in public health from the University of Kansas. He completed his internship in internal medicine and pediatrics at the Wichita Center for Graduate Medical Education and completed his residency at the University of Colorado, Department of Family Medicine, where he also served as chief resident.

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
CSG PR
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303-433-7020
shannon.fern@COHealthOP.org
http://www.csg-pr.com

Colorado HealthOP Signs Warner Pacific as First Broker Agent to Distribute Soon to Be Launched Consumer-Driven Health Plans

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

Colorado HealthOP Receives License and Becomes Colorado’s First Statewide Nonprofit Health Insurance Cooperative

Colorado HealthOP Approved to Offer Consumer Operated and Oriented Health Insurance Beginning October 1

Denver, Colo, April 29, 2013 — Colorado HealthOP, Colorado’s first statewide nonprofit health insurance cooperative, announced today that it has received a Certificate of Authority to provide health insurance from the Colorado Division of Insurance. This establishes Colorado HealthOP as an official health insurance plan, and authorizes Colorado HealthOP to provide affordable, quality coverage to individuals and employers in Colorado communities.

To earn licensure in Colorado, an insurance provider must undergo a rigorous review process to determine its potential for longevity. The Colorado Division of Insurance evaluates the organization’s business plan and financial solvency, as well as the background of its executive team and board members.

The CO-OP, which was sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Educational and Charitable Foundation, will provide a variety of health insurance options for individuals and employers in both urban and rural communities across Colorado. In its first year of operations, Colorado HealthOP will offer a statewide provider network that is as robust as those offered by other insurers.

Enrollment 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.

“We appreciate the Colorado Division of Insurance’s vote of confidence in Colorado HealthOP and its unique model,” said Julia Hutchins, chief executive officer of Colorado HealthOP. “We want to make healthcare better in Colorado, and licensure advances our ability to deliver affordable, quality coverage to individuals interested in making a difference in their own health and that of their community.”

Colorado HealthOP gives members a voice in the CO-OP’s operations, including what is covered under its benefit plans. When Colorado HealthOP’s revenues exceed its costs, the surplus will be reinvested to directly benefit members—through lower premiums, expanded benefits and quality improvements. The CO-OP is committed to promoting health as a way of life and will reward its members for healthy behaviors.

Colorado HealthOP is a unique, consumer-driven solution,” said U.S. Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado. “Increased competition in the health insurance marketplace – particularly as the marketplace comes online in October – can only benefit Colorado. Greater access to new options will help individuals, families and employers choose plans that better suit their specific needs.”

With a local perspective and community focus, Colorado HealthOP is dedicated to partnering with doctors, hospitals, brokers and advocates statewide to create benefits and programs that will improve health at the local level. Beginning in May 2013, Colorado HealthOP will begin outreach activities in both English and Spanish to educate the community about their health insurance rights, provide tools for navigating Colorado’s insurance marketplace, and offer resources to help individuals and employers choose the best insurance option for them.

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, which was sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Educational and Charitable Foundation, aims to improve health outcomes by putting the responsibility for 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 in October 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