Consumers’ Choice Health Insurance Company recognized by HHS as first CO-OP in Southern U.S.

HealthCare 21 Business Coalition’s founder Jerry Burgess, is President/CEO of Consumers’ Choice Health Insurance Company, a not-for-profit, consumer-operated health insurance company based in Charleston, SC. The organization announced last week that it was recognized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as the first Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan (CO-OP) in the Southern U.S.

Congress created the CO-OP program to foster community-based health insurance companies governed by their policy holders, which make it possible for consumers and employers to help design plans that are responsive to their needs. The designation means Consumers’ Choice received federal funding that guarantees consumers have access to affordable health benefits. The founding premise was to create more health insurance competition in every state and eliminate the need for a single-payer system. The Cooperatives will be licensed by the individual state insurance departments and come under the same state insurance regulations as all other carriers.

"As the name implies, Consumers’ Choice is a consumer-driven solution to health insurance challenges within our markets," said Jerry Burgess. "Everyone should feel like they own this, because they do."

For questions or additional information, contact Burgess at jburgess@consumerschoicesc.org.