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.

Critical Update

• Health Net
  • Group Market Exit: Health Net is exiting the California Small Group and Large Group medical markets in 2027. The exit impacts all Health Net Small Group and Large Group medical groups. To stay on top of the latest updates on the transition of Health Net business and how it affects direct business and coverage written through CaliforniaChoice, visit the Word & Brown Newsroom. 

Bonus News

• Aetna
  • Small Group Producer Program: You have a limited time to earn extra credits on new sales of Aetna Small Group insured or Aetna Funding Advantage plans. 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. The bonuses continue through December.
• Humana
  • Dental Bundling Bonus: Your ability to earn a bundling bonus on Dental for groups of 10-299 is nearing an end for effective dates through October 31, 2026. Ask us for details or  or download the flyer. 
• Kaiser Permanente
  • Small Group Production Reward: With Q4 around the corner, don’t overlook your opportunity to earn a 2026 Small Group Production reward from Kaiser Permanente on your total Small Group member enrollment for effective dates through January 1, 2027. Download the flyer for details.
• Sharp Health Plan
  • Broker Bonus Extended: Sharp Health Plan’s bonus on new Small Group sales has been extended. Earn $75-$250 for each new subscriber enrolled, based on total enrolled subscribers, for effective dates from October 1, 2026, through March 1, 2027. There’s also a $250 “welcome back” bonus for qualifying groups. Download the flyer or contact us for details. 

Medical​ Coverage

• 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.
  • Small Group Medical Rate Changes: Anthem’s Affordable Care Act plan rates for Q4 have increased – 3.4% for PPOs and 4.3% for HMOs. There are no changes for Anthem Dental plans. 
• CaliforniaChoice​
  • Health Net Exit from CalChoice: Health Net is leaving CaliforniaChoice as part of its exit from the California Small Group market in 2027. (See related items above and below.) CaliforniaChoice will continue to offer Health Net plans through January 1, 2027, renewals. This means that if your CaliforniaChoice plan renews January 1, 2027, employees who select Health Net can continue their Health Net coverage for the full plan year – through December 31, 2027. Contact your W&B rep to discuss options for your existing groups as well as new business opportunities with one of the six other carriers participating in CaliforniaChoice. 
  • Value-Prop Video: In case you missed it, there's a CaliforniaChoice value-prop video offering a brief introduction of why the multi-carrier, employee-choice exchange is right for so many 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 can protect their pets and save when choosing coverage through the CaliforniaChoice Member Value Suite. Encourage them to log in at CalChoice.com.
  • Q4 Rates: Five CaliforniaChoice plan partners have new Q4 rates. Kaiser Permanente and Western Health Advantage have no rate changes. 
• Evolved Benefits
  • Plan Updates: Evolved Benefits has updated its Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC) plans to include unlimited office visits and behavioral health coverage with a $0 copay. Download the brochure for details or contact your W&B rep to learn more. 
• Health Net
  • Group Market Exit: Health Net is exiting the California Small Group and Large Group medical markets in 2027. All existing business must transition from standalone Health Net coverage by February 28, 2027, subject to Health Net’s final guidelines and any applicable exceptions.
    • Brokers should begin evaluating options now. Moving early gives employers more time to evaluate rates, provider networks, ongoing care needs, plan designs, and carrier requirements. It can also help reduce disruptions for employers and employees as Health Net winds down its group business. Reach out today to your W&B rep for custom quoting for replacement coverage.
    • For those with Health Net through CalChoice: If you have groups enrolled in CaliforniaChoice with Health Net coverage, CaliforniaChoice will continue to offer Health Net plans through January 1, 2027, renewals. If these groups renew January 1, 2027, employees who select Health Net can continue their Health Net coverage for the full plan year – through December 31, 2027. If your group renews earlier, Health Net will remain available for the full plan year following that renewal, based on the group’s renewal effective date. Ask your W&B rep for details.
• Kaiser Permanente
  • KP Plus Reminder: Don’t forget there’s an option from Kaiser Permanente for those clients who want increased flexibility and out-of-network treatment options. Download the KP Plus Member Overview flyer to share. Remember, too, you can earn added rewards through Kaiser Permanente’s KP Plus bonus program when selling eligible plans. 

Ancillary​ Coverage

• Landmark Healthplan
  • 2027 Rate Increase: Landmark Health will increase rates for its Chiropractic and Acupuncture plans effective January 1, 2027. Rates are increasing 6.5% for all new and renewing, fully insured employer contributory and group voluntary plans. Brokers can self-quote groups with fewer than 200 enrolled employees. Download the rate quote and premium calculator. Or contact W&B for assistance. 
• UnitedHealthcare
  • Q4 Ancillary Rates: UnitedHealthcare has updated its rates for Q4. Vision and HMO Dental rates have increased. Dental PPO rates have decreased. There are no benefit changes. Contact your W&B rep for details or download the new rate cards in our Forms Library.

Word & Brown Updates

• Q4 Quoting: All carrier partners are now quoting Medical and Ancillary for Q4 – and some are quoting for Q1 2027. While some carriers have rate updates, others have rate passes. Login and start your quote now or reach out to your W&B team for assistance. 
• MLR Rebates: Paul Roberts, REBC, W&B’s Senior Director of Education and Market Development, has recently updated his column on Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) rebates. Visit the Newsroom for details. 
• PEO Extractions Flyer: W&B’s new PEO Extraction flyer helps explain what to do when your clients outgrow the PEO model. Download your copy today. 
• Flyer Update: W&B has posted an updated Virtual Mental Health Matters flyer for California. Download your copy today from our online Insurance Forms Library. 
• Updated Large Group RFP + Census: Word & Brown has updated its Large Group Universal RFP + Census for California. You’ll find the new form in our online library.