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