NEWSROOM

Here is an overview of updates and news you can use from our California carrier, health plan, and administrator partners. For details, click on the related link (if any), or contact your Word & Brown (W&B) representative.
 

Bonus Updates

• Choice Builder​
  • Q4/Q1 Bonus Opportunity: You can earn up to $600 for each new ChoiceBuilder sale in Q4 2025 and Q1 2026. Sell 2+ new groups to qualify. Plus, there’s NO CAP on what you can earn. Ask your W&B rep or visit our Newsroom post for more details
• Delta Dental​
  • Broker Rewards: The clock is winding down on your chance to earn a small business sales bonus and a retention bonus when selling eligible groups of 2-99 lives. Download the Delta Dental flyer for details.
• Health Net
  • 2026 IFP Broker Bonus Program: Earn a $50 bonus per member for new Ambetter from Health Net Individual & Family Plan (IFP) and PPO sales with a 1/1/2026 or 2/1/2026 effective date. Earn an additional bonus based on your January 2026 renewals. A $35 per member renewal bonus applies if you renew 75% or more business; a $25 per member bonus applies to renewals of 70-74%; a $10 per member bonus applies for renewals of 65-69%. Download the Health Net bonus program rules for details, or contact Duncan Shader, your W&B IFP rep.
• Kaiser Permanente ​
  • Small Group Bonus: Kaiser Permanente is offering a Small Group bonus for groups effective through January 1, 2026. You can earn $1,000 when you enroll 25 new members – and unlock a $25 bonus for each additional member beyond 25 with the Group Production Reward. Visit our Newsroom for more information.  

Medical​ Coverage

• Multiple Carriers
  • W&B Q4 Deadlines: Word & Brown has published Q4 submission deadline calendars for California and Nevada. Organized by carrier, each lists the deadlines for cases to be submitted to W&B for effective dates through December. Download your copies from the Insurance Forms Library.
  • Special OE Window: The ACA’s annual Special Open Enrollment Window runs 11/15 – 12/15, giving Small Group employers a one-month opportunity to enroll in medical coverage without meeting participation or contribution requirements. Read the column from Paul Roberts REBC, Senior Director of Health Policy & Education, or ask your W&B rep for details.
• Aetna​
  • NorCal Market Exits: Aetna is leaving some Northern California rating areas starting in 2026, affecting both HMO and PPO plans. If you missed our recent bulletin, get more information in our Newsroom post – or contact your W&B rep for details.
  • HMO Network Grid: Download the latest California Large Group HMO network grid.
• Anthem Blue Cross​
  • Virtual Plus Plans: Anthem Virtual Plus Plans on the Prudent Buyer PPO and Select PPO networks have been turned on for Q1 2026 quoting. Key features of the new plans are predictable costs, $0 virtual primary care, $0 virtual behavioral health, simplified access, and broad networks. Visit our Forms Library for the latest sales collateral from Anthem Blue Cross.
• ​​​Blue Shield of California​
  • Q1 2026 Updates: Medical plan updates for 2026 include Enhanced PPO plans with Virtual Blue, a tiered pharmacy network expansion, and specialty plan changes. Read the details online in the Small Business Broker Update.
  • No Exceptions for Principal Address: Blue Shield says it will no longer make exceptions to the Principal Address rule. Groups must be headquartered in California and have a principal address (including a street address) in California.
• CalCPA​
  • Q1 2026 Update: CalCPA is adding five new plans for 2026. All are tiered copay plans using the same full Anthem PPO network as CalCPA’s traditional PPO plans. Ask your W&B rep for details.
• CaliforniaChoice​
  • Q1 2026 Quoting: CaliforniaChoice is now quoting for 1/1/2026, 2/1/2026, and 3/1/2026 effective dates. Seven new Medical plans are being added: six from Anthem Blue Cross (3 HMOs, 3 PPOs) and one from Kaiser Permanente. Contact your W&B sales representative for more information, or login to quote now. 
  • Census Enrollment Live: CaliforniaChoice has launched Spreadsheet Enrollment, which allows new employer groups to submit via the CalChoice template in lieu of paper employee enrollment applications. Two different templates are available – one for groups effective through 12/1/2025 and one for Q1 2026 effective dates. Ask your GA rep for more information.
• EDIS​
  • Q4 Reminders: EDIS wants to remind brokers of the advantages offered when working with EDIS. You can mitigate high renewal increases without sacrificing benefits or increased contributions. It’s a WIN-WIN strategy: 1) no high premium increase this year; 2) same if not better benefits for all; 3) lower out-of-pocket costs for employees and high premium savings for employers. Contact your W&B rep for details.
• Health Net​
  • Large Group Portfolio Refresh: Health Net has refreshed its Large Group portfolio for 2026. The “Pick Your Plan, Pick Your Network” strategy will continue. Employers can choose from 22 standard plan designs. Ask us about Infertility and Fertility Treatment Coverage, Weight Loss Drug coverage, new pharmacy plan designs, and updated deductible options.
  • Weight Loss Coverage: Beginning with 2026 Large Group renewals, Health Net will implement a change to its standard pharmacy benefit for weight loss drugs. Coverage will be available to members with Class III severe obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher. For those seeking broader access, Health Net will offer a pharmacy rider.
  • HDHP Plan Updates for 2026: Deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums have been adjusted for two Health Net High-Deductible Health Plans for 2026: Gold HDHP PPO 1800/20% and Silver HDHP PPO 1800/50%.
  • 2026 Underwriting: The Health Net Enhanced Choice package allows your clients to mix and match HMOs and PPO while enrolling a minimum of 4-9 employees with 25% participation. There’s no DE 9C, no payroll, and no owner docs required for those under age 75. Ask us for info on enrolling 1-3 and 10+ employee groups.
  • Renewal Mailings Ending: Starting with February 2026 renewals, Health Net will no longer mail renewals to brokers. (Download the instructions to see how you can access them online.)
• Kaiser Permanente​
  • KP Plus Marketing Materials: As a follow up to its announcement about KP Plus plan for 2026, Kaiser Permanente has created new marketing materials, including a new capabilities deck, overview, and FAQs. Read our Newsroom article to learn more.
• ​UnitedHealthcare​
  • Small Group HMO Updates: UHC is offering an enhanced modernized experience to California Small Groups with HMO plans (excluding CaliforniaChoice). For renewing clients, changes will be effective at renewal. Download the UHC flyer for details.
  • Admin Platform: UHC is offering bswift strategically to groups looking for a benefits administration platform and needing extra support. Contact your W&B rep or download the flyer for details.
  • 2026 Underwriting Guidelines: UHC has published its updated Underwriting guidelines for 2026, including Relaxed Participation on the Choice Simplified Package. Download your copy today.
  • California HMO Network Comparison: Download UHC’s updated HMO network comparisons for Northern California and Southern California from our Insurance Forms Library. Also available are Alliance HMO Network and Harmony HMO Network flyers.
• Western Health Advantage​
  • New HDHPs: Western Health Advantage is adding new Gateway 1700 Platinum 90 HDHP HMO and Gateway 1700 Platinum 90 HDHP IVF plans for 2026. Get plan summaries in the Insurance Forms Library.
• Word & Brown​
  • Transition Tips: We have updated our “Helpful Transition Tips for Your Clients” flyer, which offers info to aid clients changing insurance plans. Download your copy today.
  • Updated Compliance Wiki Info: The ACA Section in the W&B Compliance Wiki has been completely rewritten; it now features comprehensive updated content. It’s your go-to resource for everything ACA-related: employer mandate, state mandates, reporting, eligibility, measurement periods, and more. With this launch, we’re retiring our ACA Quick Reference Guide PDF and ACA Affordability Guide PDF for 2026. All that info (and much more!) now lives in the Wiki, where it will always be current – and easy to read on a mobile devise.
  • “Smarter Search” Reminder: If you haven’t tried it yet, you’ll want to check out the new Beta search functionality in our online Insurance Forms Library.

Ancillary & Other​ Coverage​

• Blue Shield of California​
  • 2026 Dental Plan Withdrawal: Blue Shield of California is withdrawing two small business Dental plans from Smile^SM effective 1/1/2026. Clients with the In-Network Only Dental Plan 50/1500/Endo-Perio 80%/Ortho and In-Network Only Dental Plan 50/1500/Endo-Perio 80%/No Ortho will need to move to a different plan for 2026. 
• Humana​
  • Vision Reminders: Humana’s Vision coverage provides eye care benefits and savings with low-cost eye exams plus an average 80% off retail prices with fixed copays and allowances. There are 175,000+ access points nationwide, including retail options. Vision PLUS offers a $0 annual eye exam and an added $50 materials allowance at PLUS providers. Talk to us to learn more.
• Landmark Healthplan​
  • 2026 Rates: Landmark Healthplan is increasing rates by 8.5% effective January 1, 2026, for all new and renewing businesses on fully insured, employer-contributory, and group voluntary plans. Quoting is available now.