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 is underway. You can 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 
• Health Net
  • 2026 IFP Broker Bonus Program: You can earn a $50 bonus per member for new Individual & Family Plan (IFP) sales of Ambetter from Health Net Individual & Family Plans 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.
• Humana​
  • January-Only Dental Bundling Bonus: Humana’s Dental Bundling Bonus has been updated to now include groups in the 2-9 segment with a 1/1/2026 effective date. For groups of 2-49 employees, you can earn up to $600 when selling multiple lines of coverage – or up to $800 on multiple-line sales to groups of 50-299 employees. Download the flyer for details.   

Medical​ Coverage

• Multiple Carriers
  • 2026 Claim Reimbursement Standards: A new California law, AB 3275, effective 1/1/2026, establishes uniform claim reimbursement standards for all health care service plans and insurers. Claims must be paid, contested, or denied within 30 calendar days. If additional info is needed and submitted, the plan has 30 additional calendar days to re-adjudicate the claim. Claims not paid within 30 calendar days will accrue interest at 15% per annum starting on day 31. If interest is not automatically included, a penalty applies. Providers have 45 working days to dispute a determination. For more information on the legislation, read the California Association of Health Plans summary.
  • Updated 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. 
• Aetna​
  • NorCal Market Exits:Aetna is leaving some Northern California rating areas 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 updated Aetna California Large Group HMO network grid.
• 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​
  • Q1 2026 Updates: Medical plan updates for 2026 include Enhanced PPO plans with 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 now quoting for Q1 2026 effective dates. Seven new Medical plans have been added: six from Anthem Blue Cross (3 HMOs, 3 PPOs) and one 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​
  • Large Group Portfolio Refresh: Health Net has refreshed its Large Group portfolio for 2026. The “Pick Your Plan, Pick Your Network” strategy continues. Employers can choose from 22 standard plan designs. Ask your Sales Representative to get started on quoting.
  • 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. Ask us for specifics.
  • 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 is no DE 9C, no payroll, and no owner docs required for those under age 75. Ask us for info about enrolling employee groups of 1-3 and 10+. 
  • 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 still access them online.) 
  • Blood Glucose Meters and Test Strips: Effective 1/1/2026, LifeScan OneTouch meters and test strips are no longer covered at the preferred Tier 2 level. 
  • Dental and Vision Rate Guide: Health Net has published a new Dental and Vision rate guide for 2026. Download your copy today. 
• Mutual of Omaha​
  • Forms & Brochures: Mutual of Omaha forms are not available on the W&B website. A group-specific form will be generated by Mutual of Omaha; it will be based on lines of coverage and plans offered.
• Sharp Health Plan​
  • Quick Reference Guide: A new Sharp Underwriting Quick Reference Guide is available; download your copy from our online Insurance Forms Library.
• ​UnitedHealthcare​
  • 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. 
• 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. 
  • 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. 
  • Q1 2026 Case Submission Deadlines: Word & Brown has published Q1 submission deadline calendars for California and Nevada. Download your copies today.