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 Small Group producers the opportunity to earn extra credits for new Aetna Small Group insured or Aetna Funding Advantage business plans in 2026. Download the flyer for details on a credit of up to $100 per enrolled employee plus an added reward whenever Dental or Vision is added to new Medical cases.
• Humana
  • Dental Bundling Bonus: Humana has announced the return of its bundling bonus on Dental. It’s available to eligible groups of 10-299 with an effective date of June 1 through October 1, 2026. Ask us for details or download the flyer. 
• Sharp Health Plan
  • Ongoing Broker Bonus: You can still earn a bonus from Sharp Health Plan on new Small Group sales with an effective date through September 1, 2026. You could earn $75-$250 for each new subscriber enrolled. There’s also a “welcome back” bonus for groups returning after having left Sharp Health Plan before 1/1/2020.  Download the flyer 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.
• Balance by CCHP
  • Reminder on New Branding: CCHP rebranded itself earlier this year as “Balance by CCHP.” The W&B quote engine, carrier forms in our online Insurance Forms Library, and Carrier Page on our website have been updated to reflect this change.
• CaliforniaChoice​
  • Accelerate Your New and In-Force Enrollments: The CaliforniaChoice Census Enrollment is now available for both new and in-force groups. It allows groups to submit via a template in lieu of paper apps. Use this link for New Business. Or use this link for business in-force. For employer-level changes, use the Employer Change Request. Go online to view training videos from CaliforniaChoice. Contact your representative if you have questions.
• E.D.I.S.
  • Renewal Rate Decrease: Employer Driven Insurance Services (E.D.I.S.) has a 2026 renewal rate decrease on its Health Reimbursement Arrangement and Medical Expense Reimbursement Plans (HRA/MERPs). These plans can save your clients 15-30% in premium costs and set up great benefits for their employees to enjoy. Plus, clients will have new intel on how their plan performs through claims report and utilization analysis. Ask your W&B rep for details.
• Health Net​
  • 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 more choice to San Diego groups and freedom for those seeking cost-friendly health coverage.  
• Kaiser Permanente
  • Recertification: Kaiser Permanente reinitiated its recertification process for Small Groups effective 5/1/2026. Start-Up Groups with five or fewer enrolled employees will now require at least two consecutive weeks of payroll. If you have questions, refer to Kaiser Permanente’s Admin Handbook.  (Download the January 2026 handbook. See “Recertification” on page 21.) 
• Mutual of Omaha​
  • Forms & Brochures: Don’t forget that Mutual of Omaha forms are not available in the W&B Insurance Forms Library. A group-specific form – based on lines of coverage and plans offered – will be generated by Mutual of Omaha for your group’s enrollment.

Ancillary​ Coverage

• Delta Dental
  • Rate Reduction: Your small business clients may be eligible for 15% lower rates from Delta Dental. Contact your W&B rep today to learn more or to start a new quote today. 
• Humana
  • New Life Insurance Options: Humana has announced new Generation of Life plans for groups effective May 1, 2026, or later. The plans include 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. Contact us for more details.
• VSP
  • Expanding Vision Care Choices: VSP now offers more vision plan choices, including a “light benefit” for those not needing full vision benefits. Ask your W&B rep about all of the choices available. 
  • Customizable Enrollment Docs: Because VSP enrollment forms are customizable, VSP applications are no longer available in the W&B online Insurance Forms Library. 

Word & Brown Updates

• Q3 Quoting: Our carrier partners are now quoting Medical and Ancillary for Q3. Some have rate updates; some have rate passes. Login and start your quote today or reach out to your W&B team for assistance. 
• Mental Health Flyer: Word & Brown has published a Mental Health Matters flyer that provides a snapshot of our California carrier partners’ benefits. Download your copy today.
• Updated Quick Reference Guides: Word & Brown has made updates to quick reference guides and pre-sale FAQ documents. We encourage you to download revised materials from our online Insurance Forms Library.