Iowa and Nebraska credit unions will be the exclusive financial institution distribution channel for CoOportunity Health when open enrollment for health insurance begins on Oct. 1, the leagues said. Between Iowa and Nebraska, there are more than 180 credit unions serving approximately 1.45 million members.

Group Benefits Ltd. will serve as the preferred broker for the credit union and CoOportunity Health partnership in both states, according to the leagues. GBL is based in Urbandale, Iowa and has more than 40 employees and a network of more than 1,000 agents in Iowa and Nebraska.

"Credit unions have long served as trusted advisors in their local communities. CoOportunity Health will serve that role as well. Through this partnership, our members and those who seek out membership will have access to vital information and new health insurance options at a time of great confusion and need," said Patrick Jury, president/CEO of the Iowa Credit Union League.

Jury encouraged non-credit union members who will be shopping for health insurance this fall to consider joining their local credit union.

CoOportunity Health will begin enrollment in October.

The 44 credit unions who have already signed up to participate include:

Iowa Credit Unions

1st Gateway Credit Union, Camanche
Ace Community Credit Union, Ames
Advantage Credit Union, Newton
Alliant Credit Union, Dubuque
Ascentra Credit Union, Bettendorf
Capitol View Credit Union, Des Moines
Casebine Community Credit Union, Burlington
Cedar Falls Community Credit Union, Cedar Falls
Community Choice Credit Union, Johnston
Consumers Credit Union, Denison
Des Moines Metro Credit Union, Des Moines
Dubuque Teachers Credit Union, Dubuque
Dupaco Community Credit Union, Dubuque
EdCo Community Credit Union, Des Moines
Greater Iowa Credit Union, Ames
Members Community Credit Union, Muscatine
Metco Credit Union, Cedar Rapids
Midland Credit Union, Urbandale
Nishna Valley Credit Union, Atlantic
Northwestern Employees Credit Union, Council Bluffs
Peoples Credit Union, Webster City
The Cornerstone Community Credit Union, Des Moines
The Family Credit Union, Davenport
Town & Country Credit Union, Harlan
Tradesmen Community Credit Union, Des Moines
United Credit Union, Council Bluffs
United Service Credit Union, West Des Moines

Nebraska Credit Unions

Ameritas Employees Credit Union, Lincoln
Archer Cooperative Credit Union, Archer
First Lincoln Federal Credit Union, Lincoln
Fremont First Central Federal Credit Union, Fremont
Greater Omaha Federal Credit Union, Omaha
Heartland Area Federal Credit Union, Omaha
K.R.D. Federal Credit Union, McCook
Kearney Eaton Employees Federal Credit Union, Kearney
Kearney Federal Credit Union, Kearney
Liberty First Credit Union, Lincoln
LINCONE Federal Credit Union, Lincoln
Meadow Grove Federal Credit Union, Meadow Grove
Neighborhood Community Federal Credit Union, Omaha
North Platte Union Pacific Employees Credit Union, North Platte
Omaha Douglas Federal Credit Union, Omaha
Omaha Federal Credit Union, Omaha
People's Choice Federal Credit Union, Lincoln