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 News

• Aetna
  • Small Group Producer Program: Aetna continues to offer brokers the opportunity to earn extra credits for new Aetna Small Group insured or Aetna Funding Advantage plans in 2026. Download the flyer for details on a credit of up to $100 per enrolled employee plus an added reward when adding Dental or Vision to new Medical cases.
• Humana
  • Dental Bundling Bonus: There’s still time to earn a bundling bonus on Dental for groups of 10-299. It’s available to groups with an effective date through October 31, 2026. Ask us for details or  or download the flyer. 
• Sharp Health Plan
  • Ongoing Broker Bonus: Your opportunity to earn a bonus from Sharp Health Plan continues for new Small Group sales with an effective date through September 1, 2026. Earn $75-$250 for each new subscriber enrolled, based on total subscribers enrolled. There’s also a $250 “welcome back” bonus for qualifying groups. Download the flyer or contact us for details. 

Medical​ Coverage

• Aetna
  • Aetna Funding Advantage (AFA) Transition Credit: For groups with an effective date through 9/1/2026, Aetna is offering a $400 per employee transition credit. Download the AFA flyer for details.
• Anthem Blue Cross
  • Anthem Balance Funding (ABF) Update: Anthem is one of the only carriers offering both Affordable Care Act plans and Balance/Level Funding plans – and allowing its own HMO to be written alongside. Ask your W&B rep about applicable eligibility and participation guidelines.
• Blue Shield of California
  • Revised Broker of Record Guidelines: Blue Shield has updated two of its Broker of Record (BOR) forms. Download the revised Book of Business Transfer Request forms (for Small Groups and/or Large Groups) and BOR Change Request. Be sure to discard any old forms. Contact your W&B rep if you have questions.
• CaliforniaChoice​
  • Value-Prop Video: In case you missed it, the CaliforniaChoice value-prop video offers a brief intro into why the multi-carrier, employee-choice exchange is right for so many of your groups. Watch it on YouTube and save it on your laptop to promote CalChoice to clients and future prospects.
  • Pet Insurance Options: Employees participating in CaliforniaChoice can enroll in discounted pet insurance from MetLife or Spot. With more than 57.2% of California households owning at least one pet, your clients could save through the CaliforniaChoice Member Value Suite. Encourage them to log in today at CalChoice.com.

Ancillary​ Coverage

• Humana
  • New Life Insurance Options: Humana has new Generation of Life plans, which feature expanded AD&D coverage, a $500 birth to 14-day newborn benefit, and child AD&D coverage on Voluntary Life plans for groups with 300+ lives. Call or email your rep for details.

Word & Brown Updates

• Q4 Quoting: Many of our carrier partners are quoting Medical and Ancillary for Q4. Some have rate updates; others have rate passes. Login and start your quote now or reach out to your W&B team for assistance. 
• Q3 Submission Calendar: The submission calendar for California Small Group carriers for Q3 is now available. Download your copy today.