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​
  • Q1 Bonus Opportunity: Your opportunity to earn a Q1 2026 ChoiceBuilder bonus continues. Earn up to $600 for each new ChoiceBuilder sale. Sell 2+ new groups to qualify. Plus, there’s NO CAP. Ask your W&B rep or read our Newsroom post for details. 

Medical​ Coverage

• Multiple Carriers
  • Commissions Summary: W&B has updated its products and broker commissions documents for Small Groups and Large Groups; download your copies in the Insurance Forms Library. You can also look up carrier commission info on our new Medical & Ancillary Insurance Carriers page.
  • Q2 Quoting: All of Word & Brown’s California and Nevada carrier partners are now quoting Medical 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. 
• Anthem Blue Cross​
  • Virtual Plus Plans: Anthem has added Virtual Plus Plans on the Prudent Buyer PPO and Select PPO networks for 2026. Key features are predictable costs, $0 virtual primary care, $0 virtual behavioral health, and broad networks. Visit our online Insurance Forms Library for available new collateral. 
• ​​​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. Virtual Blue, a tiered pharmacy network expansion, and specialty plan changes. Get details in the carrier’s Small Business Broker Update.
• CalCPA​
  • 2026 Update: CalCPA has added 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​
  • 2026 Quoting: CaliforniaChoice is quoting for seven new Medical plans for 2026: six are from Anthem Blue Cross (3 HMOs, 3 PPOs) and one is from Kaiser Permanente. Contact us for details or login to quote now. 
  • Accelerate Your Enrollments: The CaliforniaChoice Census Enrollment Template 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​
  • Elite Partners Program (EPP): Health Net’s EPP offers simple and flexible underwriting, with wrap and full take over options and minimal submission documents.
  • 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 your San Diego clients more choice and freedom for those seeking cost-friendly health coverage. 
  • Renewal Mailings Ending: Starting with February 2026 renewals, Health Net is no longer mailing renewals to brokers. (Download the instructions to see how you can still access them online.) 
  • Chiro, Dental, Infertility, Life, and/or Vision: Health Net has a variety of added options for your clients. Ask us for specifics.
  • 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: According to Kaiser Permanente’s Small Group underwriting guidelines, 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 that there are employees waiving coverage, and you are unsure of how they are insured, please ask.
• 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​
  • 2026 Underwriting Guidelines: UHC has published its updated Underwriting guidelines, 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. 
• Word & Brown​
  • “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. 
  • 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.

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.