West Virginia Health Cooperative, Inc. Approved By Offices of the Insurance Commissioner

CHARLESTON, W.Va., May 20, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ – Approval by the West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner has resulted in the newly-formed West Virginia Health Cooperative, Inc.'s foray into the Mountain State's health insurance market. Beginning in November 2014, thousands of West Virginians will have the opportunity to enroll in a health plan offered by West Virginia Health Cooperative, with benefits starting January 1, 2015.

"This is a red letter day," said Janie Miller, CEO of the nation's newest health insurance cooperative – West Virginia Health Cooperative – and of Louisville-based Kentucky Health Cooperative, Inc.

She added, "In the coming months, residents of the Mountain State will benefit from West Virginia Health Cooperative's addition as another option available to them for health insurance."

Joseph Smith, Chair of the Board of Directors said, "This approval to offer health plans to West Virginians, means that individuals and families and employers and employees of small businesses will have the option of more affordable, consumer-friendly, quality-driven health insurance. That is a huge step forward toward improved health for the people of West Virginia."

The health cooperative's plans will not bar people with existing conditions from receiving coverage. There will be no annual or lifetime maximum expense. Coordinated care programs and an extensive medical network of healthcare providers following high clinical quality standards will be inherent to all West Virginia Health Cooperative plans, according to Miller.

Efforts are underway to help the public become more familiar with the health cooperative concept. Additionally, West Virginia Health Cooperative is building a provider network; gathering insights about what West Virginians want from a health plan; and applying these insights to design plans. The organization is also establishing operational functions to ensure November 15 enrollment readiness, borrowing from lessons learned from a successful initial open enrollment period in Kentucky that ended in April.

"Stay tuned," Miller said. "West Virginia Health Cooperative looks forward to announcing details of health insurance plans of particular benefit to individuals and families, and to businesses employing small groups of employees."

About West Virginia Health Cooperative

West Virginia Health Cooperative, based in Charleston, is dedicated to improving health outcomes by providing member-focused, accessible, cost-effective and quality-focused healthcare to individuals/families and small groups living in the Mountain State. The governing Board will be expanded to represent the interest of the citizens of West Virginia.

West Virginia Health Cooperative was identified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to receive loans to create and operate a Consumer Oriented and Operated Plan, and it will serve all 55 West Virginia counties.

West Virginia Health Cooperative and Kentucky Health Cooperative are nonprofit health insurance companies that will be member-governed.

CONTACT:
Susan Dunlap
Telephone: (502) 498-5539
email: [email protected]

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SOURCE West Virginia Health Cooperative