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 representative.
 

Bonus Updates

• Choice Builder​
  • Q4/Q1 Bonus Opportunity: You can earn up to $600 for each new ChoiceBuilder sale in Q4 2025 and Q1 2026. Sell 2+ new groups to qualify. Plus, there’s NO CAP on what you can earn. Ask your W&B rep or CHOICE rep for details. Or download the bonus flyer for more information.
• Delta Dental​
  • Broker Rewards: It’s not too late to earn a small business sales bonus and a retention bonus when selling eligible groups of 2-99 lives. Download the Delta Dental flyer for details.
• Health Net
  • Large Group Incentive: The countdown is on for the end of Health Net’s incentive on Large Group business. It’s available to groups with an effective date through 12/1/2025. Download the Health Net flyer for details.
• Kaiser Permanente ​
  • Small Group Bonus: Kaiser Permanente is offering a new Small Group bonus. For groups effective through January 1, 2026, you can earn $1,000 when you enroll 25 new members – and unlock $25 for each additional member beyond 25 with a Group Production Reward. Visit our Newsroom for more information.  

Medical​ Coverage

• W&B Updates
  • W&B Q4 Deadlines: Word & Brown has published new Q4 submission deadline calendars for California and Nevada. Organized by carrier, each lists the deadlines for cases to be submitted to W&B for effective dates in October, November, and December. Download your copies from the Insurance Forms Library.
  • Prior Carrier Deductible Credit: Updates have also been made by W&B to its Prior Carrier Deductible Credit Guide for California Small Groups that are changing carriers. Download your copy.
• ​​Blue Shield of California​
  • Q1 2026 Updates: Q1 renewals for Blue Shield will be available on 10/16. Medical plan updates for 2026 include Enhanced PPO plans with Virtual Blue, a tiered pharmacy network expansion, and specialty plan changes. Read the details online in the Small Business Broker Update.
• CalCPA​
  • Q1 2026 Update: CalCPA is adding 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​
  • Spreadsheet Enrollment Templates: CaliforniaChoice is launching Spreadsheet Enrollment, which allows new employer groups to submit our template in lieu of paper employee enrollment applications! Click here for more information.
  • Q1 2026 Quoting: CaliforniaChoice is now quoting for 1/1/2026, 2/1/2026, and 3/1/2026 effective dates. Seven new Medical plans are being added: six from Anthem Blue Cross (3 HMOs, 3 PPOs) and one from Kaiser Permanente. Contact your CHOICE representative or preferred GA partner for details, or login to quote now. 
• EDIS​
  • Q4 Reminders: EDIS wants to remind brokers of the advantages offered to brokers and clients when working with EDIS. You can mitigate high renewal increases with sacrificing benefits or increased contributions. It’s a WIN-WIN strategy: 1) no high premium increases this year; 2) same if not better benefits for everyone; 3) lower out-of-pocket costs for employees; and high premium savings for employers. Contact your W&B rep for more info. 
• Health Net​
  • Provider Search Tool: Health Net rolled out a new “Find a Provider” search tool last month. It offers a single point of entry and streamlined process for users. Users visiting HealthNet.com and MyHealthNetCA.com during the rollout will experience a pop-up message regarding the new feature.
  • Large Group Portfolio Refresh: Health Net has refreshed its Large Group portfolio for 2026. The “Pick Your Plan, Pick Your Network” strategy will continue. Employers can choose from 22 standard plan designs. Ask us about Infertility and Fertility Treatment Coverage, Weight Loss Drug coverage, new pharmacy plan designs, and updated deductible options.
  • Provider Network Updates: Health Net and Universal Health System (UHS) have reached an agreement to keep UHS facilities in-network for Health Net ’s provider network through 10/1/2028. Hospitals included are Corona Regional Medical Center, Palmdale Regional Medical Center, Rancho Spring Hospital, Inland Valley Hospital, and Temecula Valley Hospital. In other provider news, Health Net and Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center have also reached a new agreement to keep the facility in-network for Health Net. Starting 10/1/2025, Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center will also be joining the Ambetter PPO network as a participating provider.
  • Weight Loss Coverage: Beginning with 2026 Large Group renewals, Health Net will implement a change to its standard pharmacy benefit for weight loss drugs. Coverage will be available to members with Class III severe obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher. For those seeking broader access, Health Net will offer a pharmacy rider.
  • HDHP Plan Updates for 2026: Deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums have been adjusted for two Health Net High-Deductible Health Plans for 2026: Gold HDHP PPO 1800/20% and Silver HDHP PPO 1800/50%.
• Kaiser Permanente​
  • KP Plus Marketing Materials: As a follow up to the announcement last month about its new KP Plus plan for 2026, Kaiser Permanente has created new marketing materials, including a new capabilities deck, overview, and FAQs. Download your copies today.
• Sharp Health Plan​
  • Underwriting Update: For Q4 2025, Sharp Health Plan has enhanced its underwriting guidelines to allow multi-network access for groups as small as 2+ employees. Previously, the minimum group size was 6+ employees.
• ​UnitedHealthcare​
  • Alliance Reminder: UHC reminds brokers that the Alliance HMO is only available to employers with 1-100 employees in Fresno, Kern, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties.
  • Small Group HMO Updates: Beginning this month, UHC is offering an enhanced, modernized experience to California Small Groups with HMO plans (excluding CaliforniaChoice). For renewing clients, changes will be effective at renewal. Download the UHC flyer for details.
  • Admin Platform: UHC is now offering bswift strategically to groups looking for a benefits administration platform and needing extra support. Contact your W&B representative or download the UHC flyer for details.
• Western Health Advantage​
  • New HDHPs: Western Health Advantage is adding a new Gateway 1700 Platinum 90 HDHP HMO and a Gateway 1700 Platinum 90 HDHP IVF for 2026. Please be sure to pay close attention when quoting. All HDHPs have increased deductibles for 2026.

Ancillary & Other​ Coverage​

• Blue Shield of California​
  • 2026 Dental Plan Withdrawal: Blue Shield of California is withdrawing two small business Dental plans from Smile^SM effective 1/1/2026. Clients with the In-Network Only Dental Plan 50/1500/Endo-Perio 80%/Ortho and In-Network Only Dental Plan 50/1500/Endo-Perio 80%/No Ortho will need to move to a different plan for 2026. 
• Humana​
  • Extended Annual Maximum: After a member exhausts their Dental plan annual maximum, Humana’s Extended Annual Max pays 30% co-insurance toward covered dental charges (excluding ortho) for the remainder of the calendar year. This benefit is included at no additional cost on Humana’s standard Traditional Preferred and PPO plans (excluding unlimited annual max plans).
  • Dental Reminder: Humana wants to remind brokers that Humana Dental plans include three routine cleanings per year (vs. the standard of two). Four periodontal cleanings are covered under preventive services, which are covered at 100% in-network.
• Landmark Healthplan​
  • 2026 Rates: Landmark Healthplan is increasing rates by 8.5% effective January 1, 2026, for all new and renewing businesses on fully insured, employer-contributory, and group voluntary plans. Quoting is available now.
• United Concordia​
  • New Flyer: United Concordia Dental (UCD) has developed a flyer to remind consumers of the powerful protection offered by dental mouthguards. (They’re not just for athletes anymore.) Download your copy today. Don’t forget, too, about the value offered by UCD for your clients interested in group Dental. Get your quotes turned around quickly and your cases implemented fast and easily.