Community Health Alliance, Tennessee's nonprofit Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan for health insurance, has opened two new offices in as many months. On Thursday, CHA officially moved into offices in the Chappell Building in Maryland Farms, Brentwood. Last month, the insurance CO-OP opened the doors of its Chattanooga office on Northgate Park Lane near Northgate Mall.
The new offices are just part of CHA’s plan as it prepares to rollout health plans for individuals and businesses in Tennessee beginning this October. In May, the insurer received its Certificate of Authority from the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance and is now officially licensed as a health insurance company. The company also has been building its provider network across the state including key partnerships with Baptist Memorial Health Care, Covenant Health, Tennova Healthcare, Summit Medical Group, HealthStar Physicians, P.C. and hundreds of other providers. A Memphis office is planned for later this year.
"We are right on target to provide high-quality health insurance options for Tennesseans in October,” said Jerry Burgess, Community Health Alliance CEO. “Our business model is unlike any other health insurer in Tennessee. Hundreds of thousands of additional Tennesseans will now have access to health insurance and we think they will choose CHA because we offer better value and service with true transparency and consumer focus.”
CO-OPs were created by a bipartisan panel as part of the Affordable Care Act to be a private sector option to encourage competition in the health insurance industry. Under the CO-OP business model, consumers who choose CHA will not only join a new health plan, but also will be eligible to serve on the board of directors. They will have a voice in how profits and savings are used for the benefit of all members. Other things that make the company unique: Transparency through its member governance, 501(c)(29) nonprofit status with all funds dispersed back into the company to benefit members, patient-focused and provider-engaged care, customer friendly size and attitude.
CHA products will be offered through the federal health insurance Marketplace and through certified insurance brokers across the state. Member enrollment begins on Oct. 1, with coverage effective on Jan. 1, 2014. For more information, visit www.chatn.org or call 888 415-3332.