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Blue Shield is closely monitoring the dynamic federal and state policies regarding vaccines and have released updated guidance. For fully-insured groups and members: The passage of Assembly Bill 144 (AB 144) establishes California's baseline for vaccine coverage by referencing the immunization schedule recommendations from key U.S. health agencies as they stood on January 1, 2025. Blue Shield will cover vaccinations as required by California law. How members who reside outside of the state receive vaccinations will depend upon state laws governing vaccine access and coverage. For self-funded groups and members: On September 19, 2025, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) issued the recommendations below: • 2025-26 COVID Booster (Adults): The ACIP recommends patients consult providers prior to receiving the vaccine. In many states, pharmacists can provide this clinical consultation. The vaccine itself remains recommended and subject to coverage without cost-sharing by self-funded groups. • This change does not materially affect self-funded groups’ current coverage obligations. • Pediatric Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella (MMRV): For children under age four, ACIP now advises separate MMR and varicella shots instead of the combined MMRV vaccine. Most children already receive the shots separately, and the separate shots continue to be required for coverage without cost-sharing. Blue Shield will work with self-funded groups to align benefits with evolving state and federal policies. Blue Shield is committed to ensuring ongoing coverage and access to preventive, evidence-based care, including immunizations. They continue to partner with the California Department of Public Health to cover science-backed immunization recommendations that protect public health. For More Information or Help Quoting Blue Shield, Please Contact Your Dickerson Sales Representative.

Health Net and Heritage Provider Network Inc. (HPN) have reached an agreement to remain an in-network provider in their current participating networks. The new contract is through January 1, 2028. Health Net looks forward to continue its partnership with Heritage Provider Network Inc. to deliver care across key regions. Heritage Provider Network includes the following Medical Groups: Bakersfield Family Medical Center High Desert Medical Group Heritage Sierra Medical Group Lakeside Medical Group of Los Angeles County Greater Covina Medical Group Regal Medical Group of Los Angeles County Affiliated Doctors of Orange County Regal Medical Group of Orange County Desert Oasis Healthcare Regal Medical Group of Riverside County Regal Medical Group of San Bernardino County Heritage Victor Valley Medical Group Regal Medical Group - Ventura County Lakeside Medical Group of Ventura County Provider participation does differ by networks and products, please refer to Find a Provider for specific participation. For More Information or Help Quoting Health Net, Please Contact Your Dickerson Sales Representative.

Humana offers disability plans for short and long term absences so employees have the extra protection they need in the event disability benefits are needed. • Disability benefits are available for 2+ sized groups. • Rate guarantees offered up to 3 years for both Short Term Disability and Long Term Disability products. • Composite rates available down to 5 lives. • LTD has no initial earnings loss requirement, and many optional riders such as: Activities of Daily Living, Cost of Living Adjustment, Business Protection Rider, Medical Premium Supplement and more. • EAP benefit is included at no charge when a disability line of coverage is written alongside two other lines of coverage with Humana. • Humana's disability product offers return to work incentives to encourage employee participation in rehabilitation to help with recovery. • Claims process is quick and simple, with options to file a claim via phone (STD only), email or fax For More Information or Help Quoting Humana, Please Contact Your Dickerson Sales Representative.

Kaiser Permanente has unveiled a new bonus program. From January 1 through August 1, 2026, you can earn a bonus on new small group sales by selling the KP Plus plan. This new plan gives employees the choice and flexibility to get in-network care from Kaiser Permanente doctors and affiliated providers as well as out-of-network care from any licensed provider for a limited number of times. Bonus details are as follows: • Target: Open to all licensed CA brokers • Eligible groups: New small group sales in CA • Effective dates: 1/1/26 – 8/1/26 • Payment structure: $100 per new KP Plus member for new small groups • Cap: $3,000 per group (equals 30 members per group) Full Details Click Here For More Information or Help Quoting Kaiser Permanente, Please Contact Your Dickerson Sales Representative.

(November 4, 2025) The Department of Labor, Department of Health and Human Services, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) (collectively, the “Agencies”) recently released FAQs about Implementation of the Affordable Care Act Part 72, which clarifies the existing categories of excepted benefits employers can use to offer fertility benefits, including independent, noncoordinated excepted benefits and limited excepted benefits. These actions were a response to an executive order released by President Trump earlier this year seeking policy recommendations to protect in vitro fertilization (IVF) access and to reduce out-of-pocket and health plan costs for IVF treatment. The Agencies also announced that they intend to propose notice and comment rulemaking to provide additional ways that certain fertility benefits may be offered as a limited excepted benefit if certain conditions are met and are considering whether to modify the standards under which supplemental health insurance coverage provided by a group health plan, including a supplemental benefit for fertility coverage, will be considered to satisfy the conditions for being an excepted benefit. Background Excepted benefits may provide health care coverage but are exempt from the ACA’s market reforms, including the prohibition on lifetime and annual dollar limits and the preexisting conditions exclusions, as well as certain HIPAA requirements, such as special enrollment rights. Excepted benefits generally fall into four categories: Benefits that are non-health benefits, which include automobile insurance, workers’ compensation, and similar benefits; Limited excepted benefits, including, among other benefits, limited scope dental or vision insurance and certain HRAs; Independent, noncoordinated excepted benefits Supplemental excepted benefits, such as supplemental Medicare coverage To Read Full Alert Click Here