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Aetna Q4 Rate Update 2018

Aetna announced a rate pass for Q4 2018. There are no changes to their portfolio or underwriting guidelines. Aetna offers competitive rates in the two lower tiers: Silver and Bronze. Their Bronze H...

California Legislative Update

Below is an update of bills that are moving through the California legislature: Association Health Plans SB 1375 (Hernandez D) passed the Senate and was referred to the Assembly Appropriations C...

Webinar: Blue Shield of California’s 2018 Small Business Roadshow

You are invited to join Blue Shield’s Small Business Sales team for an in-depth preview of their 2019 portfolio. Come join Blue Shield of California and discover more ways to offer clients dependable,...

Bill Would Increase Dental Plan Transparency

A bill that calls for more value and transparency in dental plans is moving swiftly through the Legislature. Senate Bill 1008 (Skinner, D-Berkeley) passed the Senate with bipartisan support and was am...

PrimeCare Rescinds Notice of Termination with Anthem Blue Cross

Anthem Blue Cross announced that PrimeCare Medical Network rescinded its notice of termination. The current contract remains in full force and effect until the new agreement is fully executed. PrimeCa...

Oscar Health Announces Q3 Promos

We are excited to share that Oscar Health has announced three Q3 Promotions for July, August, and September effective dates. As a reminder, Oscar also has two bonus promotions running through Q3. Rea...

Single Payer Update

Gavin Newsom, who is favored to be California's next governor, is cooling expectations about universal health care in California. He recently told the San Francisco Chronicle that a single-payer syste...

Where Brokers Stand With Technology

Benefit brokers who’ve implemented successful technology solutions report increased revenue, improved client retention, and an expanded client base, according to a report by Maestro Health. The study ...

Anthem Blue Cross and Dignity Health: Contract Extends During Negotiations

While Anthem Blue Cross and Dignity Health continue negotiations, Anthem has issued a 30-day contract extension to August 13, 2018 for Commercial Hospital and PPO provider agreements. Dignity Health i...

Sharp Health Plan Rate Update Q4 2018

Sharp Health Plan’s Q4 2018 HMO rates are now available for quoting. HMO rates will be increased 4.3%, on average, compared to Q3 2018 rates. There are no changes to plan benefits or underwriting gui...

LISI’s New Broker Portal Cuts Agency Workflow

LISI is introducing the Broker Portal to help brokers reduce their workflow and easily manage their book-of-business. Powerful features make it seamless for brokers to interact with LISI and do the fo...

Oscar Releases Approved Rates for Q4

Oscar Health issued approved rates for Q4 with a slight rate change overall. LA's region 15 is seeing a slight decrease while Orange County is seeing increases. Region EPO EPO H...

Blue Shield of California Q4 Rate Update

Blue Shield of California reports the following Q4 rate action: HMO rates, including Trio, decrease -2.1% in the fourth quarter, annualized for a 1.8% increase in 2018. PPO rates increase 0.7%...

California Gears Up to Block Association Health Plans

California is pushing back against the Trump Administration’s final rule allowing Association Health Plans (AHPs). Described as a type of Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangement (MEWA), the Administrati...

Secrets to a Killer Sales Presentation

Nailing your sales presentation can make a huge difference to your sales-conversion rate. It all starts by thinking of your presentation as a conversation — not a sales pitch. Here are some secrets to...

Industry Leader Makes Move to Join LISI

LISI, Inc, has appointed Kevin Timone as a Senior Vice President of Sales. Kevin will oversee Northern California sales as well as all ancillary sales statewide. LISI President and CEO, Becky Patel...

Find Public and Private Options for Individuals with PointCare

A central mission of insurance brokers is to help people gain access to health care, regardless of the commissions. With PointCare, you can find public and private coverage options for your individual...

Community Hospital Long Beach Has Closed

Community Hospital Long Beach, an acute care hospital, closed and discontinued all services on July 3, 2018. Anthem Blue Cross notified affected members and contracted physicians this week. It’s impo...

Anthem's Specialty Benefits Offer Integrated Care

An increasingly popular trend is to integrate health care so that employees get a range of benefits from a single insurer. Eighty-nine percent of employers are adopting integrated health care or they ...

Anthem Announces Significant Rate Decreases in Q4

Anthem Blue Cross reports a significant statewide average decrease of -9.1% for Full HMO plans, and -7.8% for Limited HMO plans. PPO and PPO HSA plans report a virtual rate pass. In some regions, Anth...

UnitedHealthcare Underwriting Update July 2018

UnitedHealthcare has expanded their split carrier guidelines. Beginning July 1, 2018, groups are now able to write up to two staff-model carriers alongside UnitedHealthcare. Previously, only one staff...