Wiley Long
President – ColoHealth
A Message From Wiley Long,
President of ColoHealth…
Hi, I’m Wiley Long, president of ColoHealth, and the author of the Health Sharing: The Authoritative Guide to America’s Fastest-Growing Health Insurance Alternative. I’d like to tell you a bit about myself and explain why I’ve made it my goal to help Coloradans find the best protection against high medical costs while saving as much money as possible.
In my 25 years in the health insurance industry, I’ve discovered that most people spend more than they need to on health insurance because it’s too complicated to understand – and because it’s often simply too expensive.
But that doesn’t mean you have no options. I started ColoHealth to help Coloradans understand how to protect themselves from unexpected medical expenses without breaking the bank.
We’re experts on health insurance – and on health sharing plans, DPC plans, coop plans, health reimbursement arrangements, and other ways that families and businesses can use to lower their monthly costs while still having the protection they need.
The bottom line is that we will help you find the best options that meet your needs, at the lowest cost possible.
Why ‘Health Insurance Made Easy’ Is My Mission
In 1986, I was a year out of college, living with my parents, and I needed a job. I became a health insurance agent, traveling the country roads of South Georgia. In this job, I had the pleasure of meeting mostly with farmers and small business owners (who knew very little about the ins and outs of health insurance).
Most felt perplexed by the ‘insurance-speak’ they had been given by other agents, and were at the mercy of whatever quote they had been given for their families’ health coverage.
Over the years that I worked in Georgia, I built an agency that produced over $10 million in business per year. I believe the success of my business efforts was directly related to having a one-on-one relationship with my clients—thousands of small business owners and individuals who appreciated my accessibility and honesty year after year.
The Importance of Independence
The biggest turning point of my professional life came in 1999. I was working in a situation where I was representing just one insurance carrier. The plans I had been representing to my clients had been very competitive—until they weren’t.
Selling a product that was no longer of true value wasn’t good for me, and it especially wasn’t good for my clients. Because I no longer believed in what we were selling, I decided to shut down the business.
This seemed to be the perfect opportunity to do some soul searching and make some decisions about what we really wanted to do with our lives, so my wife Christie and I took a year off to travel around the world (we invite you to read about our journey).
By the time the year was up, Christie and I had a plan. We moved to Colorado, where both of us enrolled in graduate school. I eventually received my master’s degree in nutrition and exercise science, and Christie began the studies that led to her current career as a veterinarian.
I got back in the insurance business while in grad school, but I’d given it a lot of thought while I’d been away, and this time I decided to do it very differently. I became an independent insurance broker so that I could offer my clients the coverage best suited to them—from whatever carrier that might be. This was also the point where we set up our online and phone systems to make things much easier for our clients to shop, get information, and get signed up.
This was the beginning of ColoHealth.
The Value of Family
My other greatest passion besides my business is my family. It’s always a challenge to balance a working life and a family, but I think I do a pretty good job of it.
Christie and I have one son, Wiley IV, and seeing Wiley accomplish things as he grows up makes me incredibly happy, whether those accomplishments are in academics, learning to play the piano, or progressing in the art of jiu-jitsu. He recently earned his yellow belt; it was a proud moment for me when I went to see him test for it!
Christie and I have passed on our love of travel to our son as well, and we maintain an active lifestyle. We hike, ski and snowboard locally, and in the summers we travel to our family’s home in Alabama for water-skiing. We especially enjoy visiting Mexico and introducing our son to different cultures during our travels.
Christie and I are also big fans of live music, enjoying live acts here in Fort Collins as well as traveling to music festivals when we can. But frankly, I’m just happy to be hanging out with my family on a free day, regardless of what we’re doing—although it’s a bonus if it happens to be on a beach.
Our family’s favorite cause is the Fort Collins Cat Rescue. We’ve been giving to it for years because we believe in its mission. It’s a no-kill shelter and does some wonderful work.
Healthy Causes
Because my education is in the field of nutrition and exercise, I like to talk to people about staying healthy. I believe that people have far more control over their long-term health than most of them imagine. In my strong opinion, the most effective way to stay healthy is through lifestyle measures, especially eating high-quality food.
I’m proud to say that a publication I founded, The Paleo Diet Newsletter, helped to create some early buzz around an extremely healthy way of eating that now has a nationwide surge of interest behind it. (The Paleo diet calls for eating foods similar to what a hunter-gatherer would have eaten—vegetables, fruits, meat, fish—and avoid foods that are newer to humanity, such as grains, sugar and vegetable oils.)
Philosophies on Success
I hold the free market economy as the standard-bearer for any successful business. The businesses that provide the best service and value are the ones that should thrive.
This should also be true in the health care industry, but unfortunately prices are often hidden, and consumers pay too much for too little. I believe in consumer-driven health care and helping people find ways to save money and beat the system.
I know my clients have other options than ColoHealth, so I never take their business or concerns for granted. You can read the many positive comments we get right here on our testimonials page.
Simple, Easy-to-Understand, Money-Saving Health Coverage
I truly love to help people save money. And I know that the way to do this is to make things simple! Health insurance doesn’t have to be complicated.
When I first started in health insurance, I would meet with people at their house or place of business. I’d regularly spend an hour and a half with them, explaining options, looking up rates, and filling out paperwork at my client’s kitchen table. It was not easy, not for me and especially not for my clients.
Today, we have the ability to communicate and problem-solve in just minutes. The result allows us to develop lifelong relationships with our clients, and usually to see ways to improve their health care spending before they do. Even though we live in an ever-expanding high-tech world, the personal service I demand of my team is alive and well.
Our competitors won’t share their numbers with us, but we believe ColoHealth is the No. 1 agency in the state offering individual and family health insurance plans. Our thousands of happy customers all over Colorado enjoy access to all of the information they need to get the lowest rates and the best coverage available.
Options, Option, Options
We don’t work for just one insurance carrier. We offer coverage from many Colorado carriers, both on and off the health insurance exchange. We can cut through the barrage of marketing pitches you see every day as health care reform continues to set in, and we don’t charge you anything for our expertise.
You have many more options than you may think. Are you limited to the health insurance exchange? Can you qualify for a premium subsidy? Do you have to accept the insurance your employer offers? Can you get a short-term plan in the meantime? What about health savings accounts?
These are questions that don’t scare us one bit. We love to explain insurance options, and to see that “AHA!” moment when a client realizes it’s possible to keep more of his or her own money in his or her pocket, where it belongs.
Certified to Make It Easy
If you are buying your health insurance on the Connect for Health Colorado health insurance marketplace, I encourage you to (virtually) take your ColoHealth Personal Benefits Manager with you and take advantage of our expertise. We are certified by the exchange. This means that when you create your profile during open enrollment or a special enrollment period, you can authorize us to make your selections and apply for a premium tax credit on your behalf.
Remember, the services of a health insurance Personal Benefits Manager are built into the price that you are paying for your health insurance, whomever you purchase it from.
Unlike the navigators on the exchange, my team is committed to providing personalized service—before, during and after you shop, every year. We’ll show you options that can save you money and maximize your tax credits.
I fully expect you to be nothing less than overjoyed with the level of service we provide, and I think you’ll also be surprised at how easy we make it to avoid paying too much while getting the best coverage for you and your family.
If you ever have any questions or concerns, I hope you’ll email me at [email protected]. You can also join us on Facebook and tell us your story!
To your health and wealth,
Wiley Long
President – ColoHealth
Author of Health Sharing: The Authoritative Guide to America’s Fastest-Growing Health Insurance Alternative
Health Insurance Instant Quote
HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION
- Plans approved and authorized under the Affordable Care Act
- Covers Pre-Existing conditions
- Low cost subsidized plans available to those earning
< 400% of the federal poverty level - Unlimited lifetime benefits
- Available during open enrollment (November 1 – January 15), or if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period
How to Choose an HSA-Qualified Health Plan
HSA plans are simple and easy to understand. If you need some basic information on how Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) work, visit our HSA page.
A relatively small percentage of health insurance plans are HSA-eligibile. If you are looking at health insurance quotes through our quote engine, HSA plans will be noted.
While HSAs are typically associated with insurance plans, ColoHealth also offers a partially self-directed HSA combined with a healthshare program through MPowering Benefits. Health care sharing programs are not insurance; instead, they pay formedical expenses in a different way. Members pay monthly contributions, and that money is pooled together to pay for its members’ qualifying medical expenses.
Health share programs offer significant savings, one of their biggest appeals and one of the reasons why there are now more than a million people who have joined a health share program. However, they aren’t for everyone. If you have a pre-existing condition or are currently going to the doctor often, medicare cost sharing programs might not be the right fit for you.
When you are ready to choose a plan, follow the directions below. It usually takes no more than 10 minutes or so to choose the best plan for your needs.
1. Get an Instant Quote.
Our instant quote engine can rapidly show you the available plans in your area, so that you can get an overall feel of what premiums will be for the different HSA plans.
To see just the HSA health insurance plans, change the “Plan Type” on the Customize Search tab at the top of the page to “HSA”. Note that not all insurance companies and plans are available in all areas.
The healthshare program that works with an HSA is very attractively-priced, particularly if you do not qualify for a health insurance subsidy.
Get an Instant HSA Health Insurance Quote
Get an Instant HSA Healthshare Quote
2. Compare premiums/monthly contribution amounts.
This will quickly give you a feel for which companies are most competitive in your area.
3. You may want to consider adding an $100 deductible accident policy. Stand-alone accident plans can be viewed on our Accident Plans page. Because these accident plans are very inexpensive, you may be able to keep your premiums lower while greatly reducing your exposure for the type of claim you’re most likely to need your health insurance for – an accident.
4. With both health insurance and most health sharing plans you may want to check the insurance company’s PPO or HMO network to see which doctors and hospitals are considered in-network providers. The link to each plan’s PPO or HMO network can be found on that company’s page on our site.
Note that some healthshare programs do not use a network, and allow you to see any doctor of your choice.
How to Apply for Coverage
Applying for HSA health insurance and establishing an HSA is quick and easy. Most companies allow you to apply online. Or you may simply print out an application and fax it to us at 866-284-0082, or mail in your application to the address below.
Apply Online
The easiest and most efficient way to apply for an HSA plan is online through a secure online application. This will enable you to avoid the hassles of filling out a paper application and will speed up the process by instantly transmitting your information directly to the insurance company. The application usually takes about 10 minutes to complete.
You may apply online by running instant quotes, and apply online for most plans we offer right from the quoting system's results page. Or simply select the apply online link below for the plan you are interested in.
If you are interested in a healthshare plan, you can get a quote on the MPowering Benefits HSA-qualified health share plan, and apply online.
Mail or Fax an Application
You can download an application for the plan you are interested in, print it out, fill in all the required information, and then either fax it to us toll-free at (866) 284-0082 or mail it to us at the address below.
What Happens After You Apply
When you apply for a health insurance plan through Colohealth, we immediately submit the information. We monitor your application during the whole process, and keep you informed. We use our experience and connections to make sure your policy gets issued as quickly as possible. If any additional information is needed, we’ll let you know. We will inform you as soon as you’ve been approved, and make sure you’re happy with your coverage.
We're Here to Help
As you've probably noticed, our website is comprehensive and should answer most of your questions. However, if you need personal assistance, we are happy to help. Simply pick up the phone and call us, or if you are already in communication with one of our Personal Benefit Managers, you can contact them directly.
If you’re unsure, you may want to schedule a telephone consultation before you sign up for a plan. We will help you fully analyze all your options, let you know the pros and cons of the various plans you are considering, and give you our professional opinion about which plans will best meet your needs. We’ll then help you get enrolled with the plan you choose.
How to Establish Your Health Savings Account
Once you have applied, you'll want to go ahead and set up your Health Savings Account. You are not required to establish an HSA, but by funding the account as soon as possible you'll be able to take advantage of the tax deductions and tax-deferred growth HSAs offer.
To establish your HSA, follow the steps below:
- Choose the bank or trustee you would like to administer your HSA.
- Fund your account no later than April 15th for the previous year.
- Decide how you want that money invested.
- Decide on a strategy for when you’re going to make withdrawals (see the How to Maximize Your Tax Benefits section below).
How to Maximize Your Tax Benefits
An HSA plan is really a pretty simple concept. You have a high-deductible health insurance plan you hope to never use, but if something big does happen, it will protect your assets and cover your medical expenses. There are a few things that can make a big difference in how much money you spend and how much money you accumulate in your account.
There are basically three different strategies on how to fund your HSA.
- Put no money in the account, except when you incur a medical expense. This strategy allows you to legally "launder" any money used to pay medical expenses. In other words, by depositing money into your HSA, then immediately withdrawing it to reimburse yourself for medical expenses, you are making your medical expenses all tax-deductible. You may want to use this strategy if you are on a tight budget and want to keep your cash outlay as low as possible.
- Fully fund the account, or at least put in as much as possible based on your budget. Take money out of the account any time medical expenses are incurred, and let the rest grow tax-deferred. This strategy will maximize your tax deduction, while making your HSA funds available to pay any non-covered medical expenses before your deductible is met.
- Fully fund the account, but pay all medical expenses from a non-HSA account. Reimburse yourself for medical expenses at a later date. This strategy will allow you to maximize your tax deduction and the tax-deferred growth of your HSA. You can then reimburse yourself, tax-free, at any time in the future for medical expenses incurred over the ensuing years.
To maximize the potential growth of your funds, you may want to make your HSA deposits as early in the year as possible. Any growth in your account is tax-deferred, like an IRA.
Take Full Advantage of Your HSA
Don't forget that every time you fund your account you get an instant tax deduction. When you offset the tax savings against your premiums, your net cost for an HSA plan can be very low.
The maximum allowable contribution goes up every year with the Consumer Price Index. If you are contributing to your account for 2024, the individual contribution limit is $4,150, and the family limit is $8,300. In 2025, that limit is $4,300 for individuals and $8,550 for families.
Review your options.
Rate increases for plans happen only in January, so make sure to review your options every year during open enrollment to make sure they’re still the best choice for you. Even if you switch to a plan without an HSA, the account and money are still yours to use; however, you simply can’t contribute to it anymore until you’re under another HSA-qualified plan
Often, people keep their plan much longer than they should, and end up paying much more than they should. If your rates go up, you can compare a wide variety of plans on our Instant Quote System. If you have your coverage through ColoHealth, we automatically do this analysis of available plans for you any time we are notified of rate increases.
Whether you pick an HSA with an insurance plan or a health share plan, HSAs plans are a great way to protect yourself while saving tax-deferred money. If you have any questions or would like to review your options, reach out to your Personal Benefits Manager or give us a call. We’d love to chat and help you through the process.
Healthshare Instant Quote
HEALTH COST-SHARING INFORMATION
- Not health insurance, but a way for like-minded individuals to share medical expenses
- Waiting periods on pre-existing conditions
- May exclude sharing for certain conditions or activities
- Enroll any time
- Much lower monthly cost than unsubsidized health insurance