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.
 

Medical​ Coverage

• Multiple Carriers
  • Online Carrier Portfolio: W&B recently launched a great online resource where you can view our carriers’ product offerings, commissions, contacts, renewal data, and more. Login and visit the new Carrier Portfolio. 
  • Q2 Quoting: All of Word & Brown’s California and Nevada carrier partners are quoting for Q2. Some carriers have rate updates, while others have rate passes. Login and start your quote today or reach out to your W&B sales team for assistance. 
  • Newborn Coverage Summary by Carrier: Responses collected by W&B in our recent carrier survey on newborn services have been published in the GA Newsroom. Be sure to check it out.
• Aetna
  • Small Group Producer Program: Aetna has released information on its California Small Group producer incentive program. Download the flyer for details. 
  • 51-100 Plans Flyer: A new “Simple Savings” premium credits flyer regarding fully insured Aetna plans for groups of 51-100 employee is available. Download your copy today. 
• ​​​Blue Shield of California​
  • Q2 2026 Small Business Launch: Blue Shield has published Q2 rate tables and rate books for Medical and Specialty products for all regions. Get details on the carrier’s Rate Tables page.
• CaliforniaChoice​
  • 2026 Quoting: CaliforniaChoice is quoting for eight new Medical plans for 2026: seven are from Anthem Blue Cross (3 HMOs, 4 PPOs) and one is from Kaiser Permanente. For information on these updates, and other 2026 changes, contact us for details. 
  • Accelerate Your Enrollments: The updated CaliforniaChoice Census Enrollment allows new groups to submit via a template in lieu of paper apps. Ask your W&B rep for the template for 2026 effective dates. Or go online to view new training videos from CaliforniaChoice.
• Health Net​
  • 10+ ”Knock on Health Net’s Door”: If you’re enrolling 10 or more, there’s no participation requirement with Health Net (no waivers). Ask us for details. 
  • Large Group Salud HMO Update: All 10 Large Group Salud HMO y Más Facility Deductible plans are available in San Diego County for 2026. The expansion offers San Diego groups more choice and freedom for those seeking cost-friendly health coverage. 
  • 2026 Enrollment Materials: Health Net has revised many of its enrollment materials. You can download them from our online Insurance Forms Library
• Kaiser Permanente
  • Alongside Reminder: Kaiser Permanente’s Small Group underwriting guidelines say groups can only be written alongside other fully insured, age-rated, Affordable Care Act-compliant Small Group health plans. If you are reviewing a DE-9C and notice employees waiving coverage, ask how they are insured.
• Mutual of Omaha​
  • Forms & Brochures: Mutual of Omaha forms are not available from the online Insurance Forms Library. A group-specific form – based on lines of coverage and plans offered – will be generated by Mutual of Omaha.
• Sharp Health Plan​
  • Small Group Underwriting Guidelines: Sharp Health Plan has updated its Underwriting Guidelines effective 2/1/2026. Download your copy today from our online Insurance Forms Library.
• Sutter Health Plan
  • New Partner: Sutter Health Plan has transitioned to a new behavioral health partner, Carelon Behavioral Health of California, for 2026. 
• ​UnitedHealthcare​
  • Commercial Business Broker Bonus Statements: UHC bonus statements are not available on uhceservices.com for qualifying eligible brokers. Statements are no longer being mailed with the bonus payment. (Statements for program end before October 2025 are not available online.)
• Word & Brown​
  • Tech Updates: Check out the latest updates from our Client Experience Tech Team in the GA Newsroom. 
  • Ease Subscriptions: Effective 1/1/2026, Ease is no longer selling new subscriptions. If you are interested in information about transitioning to Employee Navigator, licensing options start as low as $300 per month. Visit the Employee Navigator website for details on contracting and pricing. Watch for ongoing updates from us about the Ease/Employee Navigator transition.
  • Sunset of Account Management Guide: With the intro of W&B’s online Carrier Portfolio, we’ve discontinued our Account Management Guide. The new online resource offers you a wealth of information on carriers’ product offerings, commissions, contacts, renewal services, guides, and resources (including enrollment kits, SBCs, and provider search links. Visit the Carrier Portfolio now.

Ancillary​ Coverage

• BEST Life
  • Group Benefits: Access the BEST Life Broker Portal to generate Dental and Vision quotes, request marketing materials, view in-force group policies and enrollments, download commission statements, and much more. The site is available 24/7/365.
  • New Hearing Benefit Discounts: BEST Life has added a new hearing aid discount program through Amplifon Hearing Health Care. Visit the BEST Life broker website for more information.
• Health Net
  • Optional Coverage: Don’t forget that Health Net offers options for your clients interested in Chiropractic, Dental, Infertility, Life, and/or Vision coverage. Download the 2026 Dental and Vision Add-On or Change Form for Groups of 101+ now. 
• SIMNSA Dental
  • 3/1 Rate Update: SIMNSA has updated its Dental rates effective 3/1/2026. Contact your W&B rep or login to quoting for details.