News
The Latest Carrier Updates, Legal Alerts, Industry News and more.
Anthem Virtual Access Plus, Blue Shield Rx Healthcare Spending, Health Net PPO Network, Kaiser Permanente Recertifications
Thursday, March 19 2026
Carrier Updates
Anthem’s Virtual Access Plus delivers easy-to-understand, copay-centric plans that eliminate coinsurance uncertainty. Members enjoy $0 virtual primary care and behavioral health visits through in-network providers, plus office-based behavioral health visits at a PCP copay. With broad access through Prudent Buyer PPO and Select PPO networks and a streamlined Sydney experience, care is simpler and more convenient. For More Information or Help Quoting Anthem, Please Contact Your Dickerson Sales Representative.
Carrier Updates
Blue Shield of California is collecting D1 Premium Contribution data as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, Section 204 (2021)– Prescription Drug Cost Reporting regulation, on behalf of our employer groups. Groups or their brokers with access to an Employer Connection account are encouraged to complete the survey by logging in to Employer Connection. The deadline to submit information is April 10, 2026, however any updates to submissions can be made until April 19, 2026. The period between April 10, 2026, and April 19, 2026, is only for making updates to existing submissions made by the deadline. Groups that miss the deadline will not be included in Blue Shield’s filing and may be subject to non-compliance if they do not report the required data directly to the CMS on their own. As a reminder, Blue Shield will submit D2 for all groups and D3-D8 for groups with prescription drug benefits under a Blue Shield health benefit plan. Please note that data submitted is for the 2025 calendar year. Here are a few reminders to prepare for submission: • Only one individual (group administrator, broker, or other such delegate) may submit responses for a single group ID. Please coordinate a single submission. • Submitters will receive an email confirmation displaying a record of responses submitted and a link to edit responses. • Only the submitter will have access to edit responses until the deadline. Blue Shield is committed to supporting our groups in complying with health coverage related regulatory requirements. For More Information or Help Quoting Blue Shield, Please Contact Your Dickerson Sales Representative.
Carrier Updates
Health Net offers a strong suite of products and network options that bring you choice and flexibility. Their robust PPO network is one of the largest networks in California, spanning all 58 counties. Health Net PPO members with out-of-state coverage can access providers across the nation at the in-network coverage level. The network includes: - Nearly 92,000 physicians, specialists and health professionals - 300+ hospitals - 5,500+ pharmacies statewide - 25,000+ behavioral health providers - 63,000+ pharmacies nationwide For More Information or Help Quoting Health Net, Please Contact Your Dickerson Sales Representative.
Carrier Updates
Kaiser Permanente Small Group has recently re-initiated the recertification process, starting with groups effective May 1, 2026. The recertification team has confirmed that recertification letters have been sent directly to the Customer or Contract Signer only. Brokers receive a high-level report listing all groups undergoing recertification for the relevant effective month. For More Information or Help Quoting Kaiser Permanente, Please Contact Your Dickerson Sales Representative.
Industry News
NABIP recently submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on the proposed 2027 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (NBPP), which sets policy for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace. Full Press Release Click Here