FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Anna Beaty abeaty@CoHealthOP.org 303.433.

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Colorado HealthOP Encourages Colorados 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, Colorados 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. !ouve li"el# seen the man# insurance campaigns featuring moms prompting their adult children to get health insurance, which is important,$ said %ulia Hutchins, chief e&ecutive officer of Colorado HealthOP. '(uall# as important is moms and dads see"ing coverage for themselves. )an# *enefits of the new healthcare law ma"e it easier and less e&pensive for moms to get the care the# need.$ +n ,-11, 15 percent of Colorado parents were uninsured, according to data from .ids Count. /ninsured women are more li"el# to have inade(uate access to care, get a lower standard of care when the# are in the health s#stem, and have poorer health outcomes, according to the .aiser 0amil# 0oundation. Colorado HealthOP is dedicated to educating moms a*out the *enefits that the new healthcare law provides, including the following eight facts that Colorado women should "now.

1! You may be able to get help paying for your health insurance. )oms who

(ualif# can appl# 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. 1he# can *e "ept on #our plan even if the# are married, not living with #ou or eligi*le to participate in their own emplo#ers plan. 3. You are entitled to free preventive care, including birth control. Preventive services, including well2woman visits, screenings for disease, contraceptives and famil# planning counseling are covered at no charge. )ost 0342approved *irth control methods are all covered without co2pa#s. 4. If you have a baby, your maternity care will be covered . )aternit# care is considered one of the 1- essential health *enefits that must *e covered *# all health plans *eginning in ,-15. . If you are a breastfeeding mom, you are covered . 1he new healthcare law re(uires health plans to cover the costs of *reastfeeding e(uipment and *reastfeeding counseling without a co2pa#. 6. You cannot be charged more because you are a woman. +n the past, insurers were allowed to charge women a higher insurance premium than men purchasing the same coverage. 1he new healthcare law prohi*its this gender rating.$ !. You can buy health insurance "ust for your kids. +f #ou do not want to cover #ourself, #ou can still cover #our "ids. However, an# adults without coverage ma# *e re(uired to pa# a ta& penalt#. #. $eeping your kids% teeth healthy will be easier. Pediatric dental care is covered as one of the essential health *enefits. 1he new healthcare law ma"es health insurance more afforda*le and accessi*le for man# Colorado families,$ said Hutchins. +f Colorado parents thin" their families cant afford health insurance, + urge them to contact us to learn how the# can 6oin a cooperative health plan that is committed to ma"ing health insurance more afforda*le.$ Colorado moms can shop for Colorado HealthOP health insurance plans on the states health insurance mar"etplace, Connect for Health Colorado. 0or more information a*out Colorado HealthOPs plans or to get a (uote, please visit COHealthOP.org. &bout 'olorado (ealth)* Colorado HealthOP offers a new alternative to traditional health insurance in Colorado. 4 nonprofit health insurance cooperative, Colorado HealthOP and its mem*ers are committed to providing afforda*le, (ualit# coverage to individuals and emplo#ers interested in ma"ing a difference in their own health, their emplo#ees health and the health of their communit#. Colorado HealthOP aims to improve health outcomes *# putting the responsi*ilit# for consumers care *ac" into the hands of the cooperatives mem*ers and providers. 4 private mar"et solution tailored for individuals and emplo#ers, Colorado HealthOP will *egin open enrollment in Octo*er ,-17 via Connect for Health Colorado, Colorados health insurance mar"etplace, and through independent *ro"ers and agents. Coverage will *egin %anuar# 1, ,-15. 0or more information a*out Colorado HealthOP, please visit www.COHealthOP.org or call 8,-.9,8.:;--. <<<