NEWSROOM

Here is an overview of updates from our California carrier, health plan, and administrator partners. For details, click on the related link (if any).

Bonus Updates

• Delta Dental​
  • 2025 Rewards: Delta Dental’s Small Business Broker Rewards Program offers added comp when you sell and retain eligible groups of 2-99 lives. You can earn a sales bonus of up to 5% plus a retention bonus of up to 3%. Download the Delta Dental flyer for details.
• Health Net
  • Large Group Incentive: For effective dates through 12/1/2025, Health Net is offering brokers an incentive of 2% of paid premiums for 12 months for new Health Net Large Group cases sold. Read our Newsroom post and download the Health Net flyer for details. 

Medical​ Coverage

• Multiple Carrier and W&B Updates
  • Q3 Quoting: Get a jump on your Q3 business; we are now quoting many carrier partners for business effective in July, August, and September. Some carriers and products have Q3 rate adjustments. Login and quote – or contact your rep for assistance. We’re here for you.
  • Medicare Part D Charts: W&B’s Medicare Part D (2025) California Small Group and Large Group prescription drug “creditable” and “non-creditable” coverage summaries are now available. Download yours today in our Insurance Forms Library.
  • Pharmacy BIN and PCN Numbers: W&B has updated its California Small Group summary of Pharmacy Bank Identification Number (BIN) and Processor Control Number (PCN) information for California carrier partners. Download your copy from our online library.
  • Large Group Updates: Word & Brown has updated its Large Group Participation Guidelines and Large Group Plan Offerings PDFs, which are both available for download.
• Anthem Blue Cross​
  • Out-of-State Percentage Update: Anthem has reset the rule to allow a 49% maximum for out-of-state employees. Web quote users must verify whether a group meets other rules and criteria and use “By-Pass” when quoting. If you need assistance, we’re happy to help.
• Blue Shield of California​
  • Member ID Updates: Blue Shield digital ID cards now have the capability to automatically update in Google® and Apple® wallets. Android users can add Medical, Vision, and Dental cards to their wallets. iOS users can save their Vision and Dental ID cards to their wallets. Share the news with your groups.
  • Hoag Negotiations: Blue Shield of California is negotiating with the University of California Health (UC Health) and Hoag Clinic (and its related facilities) about a contract extension beyond the current agreement, which is set to expire 6/30/2025. Notices have been sent to impacted commercial HMO members and Medicare HMO members. Notices will be sent in July to commercial PPO members and individual and family plan HMO and PPO members, and small business and Large Group members receiving care in the past 12 months or within a 15-mile radius of a UC Health or Hoag facility.
  • Fertility and Infertility Updates: Like other carriers, in response to California Senate Bill 729, Blue Shield is making updates to its plan roster for coverage effective on or renewed for July 1, 2025, and later. These changes will impact Fully insured and Flex-Funded Small Business, Core, and Premier groups. Download your copy of the BSC SB729 FAQs.
• Health Net​
  • Rx Benefits: Health Net offers members two ways to save on prescription drugs: the Maintenance Choice Program at CVS Pharmacy and the Mail Service Program through CVS Caremark. Download the flyer today.
  • Maternity and Family Planning Web Page: Health Net launched a new web page last month. Members can find information about the Health Net doula program and resources for new parents. Be sure to share the news and link with your Health Net groups.
  • Underwriting Promo: Health Net’s new Underwriting promotion is for groups with 10 enrolling subscribers. No DE 9C, no payroll, and no ownership docs are required. No waivers. No participation percentage required. Contact us for details.
• ​Sharp Health Plan​
  • Updated Employer App: Visit our online Insurance Forms Library to download the latest Sharp Health Plan Small Group employer app. The new form must be used for cases effective 7/1/2025.
• UnitedHealthcare​
  • Choice Simplified/Relaxed Participation: Ask us about the UnitedHealthcare (UHC) Choice Simplified Package and a staff model carrier relaxed participation promo available through 7/1/2025. There is a minimum of 25% participation between carriers and five employees enrolling with UHC required, excluding COBRA participants. Download the Choice Simplified flyer for network and plan details.
  • New Level-Funded Plan: The UnitedHealthcare Surest® Level-Funded Plan is now available for California groups of 5+ employees. Reach out to your W&B rep for info on this dynamic copay plan combining transparency, flexibility, and predictability.

Ancillary & Other​ Coverage​

• California Choice​
  • Pet Insurance: Premier pet insurance at a discounted rate is now available to your clients and their employees enrolled in CaliforniaChoice, the multi-carrier private health exchange from CHOICE Administrators. Click here to learn more. 
• Guardian​
  • 20+ Benefits Added to Hospital Indemnity: Guardian has expanded its Hospital Indemnity policy to include fertility, caregiving, mental health support, and other features. Ask your W&B rep for details.
• Humana​
  • Disability Update: Short-Term Disability (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) are now available from Humana down to two lives, with flexible plan options. Ask your W&B rep for details, including a Dental bundling bonus in effect through 9/1/2025.
  • Vision Reminders: Humana’s Vision Plus plan offers a $0 eye exam, extra $50 frame allowance, nationwide provider network, (including independent, retail, and online options), fixed prices on lens options, plus polycarbonate for children under age 19 at $0 copay. The IndustrialEyes prescription safety eyewear program is available at no cost to employers. Ask us for details.
• Lincoln Financial Group​
  • Reduced Group Size: If your clients are interested in Accident, Critical Illness, or Hospital Indemnity, consider Lincoln Financial, which now writes down to 50+ eligible lives. Coverage must be paired with two core lines of coverage (Life, Disability, Dental). Minimum 5+ lives participation. Ask us for details.