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 has released information on its California Small Group producer incentive program. You can earn up to $100 credit per enrolled employee. Download the flyer for details. 
• Sharp Health Plan
  • Broker Bonus Program: Sharp Health Plan is offering brokers an opportunity to earn more on new Small Group sales with an effective date from April 1-September 1, 2026. Depending on your total new subscribers, you could earn a bonus of $75-$250 for each new subscriber enrolled. There’s also a “welcome back” bonus available for groups returning after having left Sharp Health Plan before 1/1/2020. Download the flyer for details. 

Medical​ Coverage

• Aetna
  • 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. 
• Balance by CCHP
  • New Branding: CCHP has rebranded to “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.
• ​​​Blue Shield of California​
  • Preventive Care Campaign: Blue Shield is conducting an ongoing campaign to promote preventive care and encourage members to utilize their plans’ comprehensive wellness visits. Select members will receive calls, emails, letters, and text messages. Members could also be eligible for gift cards.
  • Network Update: Community Medical Centers (CMC) are no longer in-network for Blue Shield of California members. Patients who visit affiliated PPO medical group Community Health Partners (CHP) may be responsible for higher out-of-pocket costs depending on their plan design and prior authorization. 
• CaliforniaChoice​
  • 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​
  • 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. 
• Kaiser Permanente
  • Recertification: Kaiser Permanente has reinitiated the recertification process for Small Groups effective 5/1/2026. Letters concerning recertification are sent directly to the customer or contract signer only; however, brokers receive a high-level report listing groups undergoing recertification for the relevant effective month. If you have questions, refer to Kaiser Permanente’s Admin Handbook. (Download the January 2026 handbook. See “Recertification” on page 21.) 
  • 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.
• Sutter Health Plan
  • New Partner: Sutter Health Plan’s Vida Health & Wellness Programs are now live. Members can access virtual, personalized health and wellness. Download the flyer for details. 
  • 2025 EOC Document Update: Sutter Health Plan has revised the Evidence of Coverage (EOC) documents for employer groups on a 2025 plan design. It includes info on Sutter’s new 2026 behavioral health partner, Carelon, as well as special footwear and orthotic updates. 

Ancillary​ Coverage

• Delta Dental
  • Rate Reduction: Get ready to sell some Delta Dental. Your small business clients may be eligible for 15% lower rates. Contact your W&B rep today to learn more. 
• SIMNSA Dental
  • Rate Update: SIMNSA has updated its Dental rates effective 3/1/2026. Contact your W&B rep or login to quoting for details. For details on any of these California updates, contact your W&B representative. 
• VSP
  • Expanding Vision Care Choices: VSP is a great option for your clients – with 10 to 1,000 lives – looking for vision care benefits. VSP offers customizable plans tailored to meet your groups’ unique needs. Plan enhancements allow clients to make changes as their needs evolve. There’s even a “light” benefit for employees who may not need full vision benefits, but who value non-prescription sunglasses or blue light-filtering glasses. Talk with your W&B rep about all the choices available, including the new VSP Value Trio plan launch this month. 
  • Customizable Enrollment Docs: Because VSP enrollment forms are customizable, VSP applications are no longer available in the W&B online Insurance Forms Library. Group-specific forms will be generated by VSP. Contact your rep if you have questions.

Word & Brown Updates

• Q3 Quoting: Some of Word & Brown’s carriers are now quoting for Q3. Some 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. 
• Online Carrier Portfolio Reminder: Have you checked out W&B’s new online resource? It includes info on carriers’ product offerings, commissions, contacts, renewal data, and more. Visit the new Carrier Portfolio.
• Ease Subscriptions: 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. Also watch for a separate announcement this month about important 2027 dates concerning the Ease>Employee Navigator transition and upcoming training sessions.
• 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.
• 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.