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

1. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Anna Beaty
303.433.7020
abeaty@COHealthOP.org
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.

2. 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 nonprofit 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 valuebased 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.
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