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Q1 2026 Carrier Update Overview

12/11/2025

Quarterly Updates

Amwins Connect is pleased to announce the following updates for Q1 2026 small group fully insured plans.

Bookmark this page! Updates will be added as they become available.

Further details are available year-round on the Forms & Benefits and Quarterly Release Status pages, and be sure you don't miss out on any Broker Bonus programs available!

Contact your Amwins Connect Regional Sales Manager today for more information about these and all of our exciting opportunities.

Select a state to learn more:

WEST	NORTHEAST	SOUTHEAST	MID-ATLANTIC
Arizona California	Connecticut New Hampshire New York	Florida Georgia North Carolina South Carolina	District of Columbia Maryland Virginia

West Region

Arizona

CARRIER	Q1 2026 UPDATE
Banner\|Aetna	Rate Update: 2.7% Portfolio Updates: Deductibles and out-of-pocket updates revised to comply with regulatory requirements. Artificial insemination (IUI) added under basic fertility. Telemedicine charge for visits decreases to $0/visit for non-HSA plans and $0 after deductible for HSA plans.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Arizona	Rate Changes: HMO 12.5%, HMO HSA & PPO 12.6%, PPO HSA 12.0% Network Updates: Prosano offers new Tucson locations

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California

CARRIER	Q1 2026 UPDATE
Aetna	Rate Changes: HMO: 0.7% Full, 1.1% Limited PPO: 1.4% Full, -1.2% Limited PPO HSA: -1.0% Full, -1.0% Limited Portfolio: Plans are now offered in 2 sets, one with infertility and one without. Network Updates: HMO plans are not available in regions 4, 6, 10, or 11. Regions 4, 6, and 10 are limited to the full PPO network only. Region 11 is limited to PPO networks only, but can access the limited PPO network.
Anthem	Rate Changes: HMO: 1.3% Full, 2.0% Limited PPO: 1.8% Full, 1.9% Limited PPO HSA: 1.0% Full, 0.6% Limited Portfolio Updates: New Virtual Access Plus plans offer $0 PCP and behavioral health visits, utilizing the existing PPO networks
Blue Shield	Rate Change: 1.2% Portfolio: New Enhanced PPO plans with Virtual Blue, Expanded partnership with Evolent to enhance Oncology Utilization Management Program, Behavioral health benefit changes to enhance and expand care
CaliforniaChoice	Rate Change: Varies by carrier Portfolio: Anthem added 3 new HMO and 3 new PPO plans, Kaiser added 1 new HMO Discontinued Plans: 5 plans terminated by Anthem, Sutter, and UnitedHealthcare, and the Dentegra Smile Club program has been discontinued by Delta Dental
Covered California for Small Business	Rate Changes: HMO: 5.9% Full, 2.3% Limited HMO HSA: 8% Full, -0.3% Limited PPO: 2% PPO HSA: 2.8% Broker Bonus: Incentive program runs 7/1/25-1/1/26, earn extra when you sell at least 3 new small groups
Health Net	Rate Change: Full Network HMO 4.8%, Limited Network HMO 4.2%, PPO 3.4% Underwriting Promotions: Enhanced Choice promo extended through Q1 (reduced paperwork requirements, reduced participation, network flexibility)
Kaiser Permanente	Rate Change: HMO 7.3%, HMO HSA 8.0%, PPO 5.2% New Plans: New KP Plus plans Broker Bonus: Level Up Broker Bonus program runs 9/1/25-1/1/26, earn more when you sell more
MediExcel Health Plan	Rate Update: 6.9%
Sharp Health Plan	Rate Change: HMO 0.1%, HMO HSA -0.5%, POS 0.4% Underwriting Changes: Groups with 2-5 enrolled can now offer 2 networks Portfolio: Mental health and substance use disorder changing to Optum Behavioral Health Broker Bonus: Incentive program runs 10/1/25-3/1/26, earn bonus per enrolled employee plus a bonus for bringing back past clients
Sutter Health Plan	Rate Change: HMO 3.2%, HMO HSA 1.0% Plan/Portfolio Updates: 4 plans are discontinued (2 standard + 2 INF) and replaced with 4 new 2026 plans
UnitedHealthcare	Quoting Availability: Available in HC, pending in Benefix Rate Change: HMO NoCA 6.0%, HMO SoCA 4.3%, PPO 4.5%, Navigate13.2% Portfolio Updates: Care Cash removed as of 1/1/26
Western Health Advantage	Rate Change: HMO 7.7%, HMO HSA 8.7% New Plan: Gateway 1700 Platinum 90 HDHP HMO Broker Bonus: Incentive program runs 7/1/25-1/1/26, earn bonus for every new sale with 5+ enrolled

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Northeast Region

Connecticut

CARRIER	Q1 2026 UPDATE
Anthem	Rate Update: PPO 3.8%, PPO HSA 4.9% Portfolio Updates: All ACA plans now include Engagement Package 75, SmartShopper, Proactive Care at no cost, Advantage Network with Rx90, Optional Home Delivery, and EAP
Oxford	Quoting Availability: Pending Portfolio: Added child and family behavioral coaching, embedded EAP, and expanded breast imaging and colonoscopy benefits
UnitedHealthcare	Portfolio: Added child and family behavioral coaching, embedded EAP, and expanded breast imaging and colonoscopy benefits

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New Hampshire

CARRIER	Q1 2026 UPDATE
Anthem	Rate Change: HMO -2.0%, HMO HSA -2.8% PPO 6.1%, PPO HSA 3.3% Portfolio Updates: New site of service benefits with $0 Labs, Outpatient Radiology, and Outpatient Surgery, and $0 visit copays for children <19

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New York

CARRIER	Q1 2026 UPDATE
Anthem BC (Upstate)	Rate Change: Full network: EPO 4.9%, EPO HSA 6.2% Limited network: EPO 5.6%, EPO HSA 6.2%
Anthem BCBS (Downstate)	Rate Change: Full network: EPO 3.4%, EPO HSA 4.5% Limited network: EPO 3.2%, EPO HSA 4.0%
HealthPass	Rate Update: HMO -7.3%, HMO HSA -6.4% PPO -6.3% Full Network EPO 1.4%, EPO HSA 2.5% Limited Network EPO 3.2%, EPO HSA 4.7% Portfolio Updates: Anthem plans offered across all 3 of its networks, 2 new Zero-Deductible Gold plans (1 Anthem + 1 Oxford), New Oxford Freedom Silver plan, New Anthem Bronze plan, New UHC plans in Mid-Hudson
Oxford	Rate Change: 11.8% Portfolio Updates: Added embedded EAP on all plans, gatekeeper component on Metro plans has been removed
UnitedHealthcare	Rate Change: 6.8%

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Southeast Region

Florida

CARRIER	Q1 2026 UPDATE
Florida Blue	Rate Update: Full HMO 4.8%, Limited HMO 2.8% HMO HSA 5.4% PPO 4.4%, PPO HSA 5.0%
Florida Health Care Plan (FHCP)	Rate Update: HMO 6.5%, HMO HSA 6.4% POS 6.8%, POS HSA 8.0%
Truli	Rate Update: HMO 4.1%, HMO HSA4.9%
UnitedHealthcare	Plan/Portfolio Updates: New plans added in all metal tiers, new Smart HSA 2.0 plans, $0 kids copay on non-HSA plans, eliminated most complex place-of-service tiered plan designs, expanded mammo and colonoscopy diagnostic services, added nutritional counseling and disease nutritional counseling benefits Rx Updates: Rx plans now access the national pharmacy network - all formularies are open

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Georgia

CARRIER	Q1 2026 UPDATE
Anthem	Rate Update: EPO 3.2%, EPO HSA 1.9% POS/POS HSA 3.4% Portfolio Updates: New alternative plans (clear choice, virtual access, and advanced access), Enhancements to Engagement Package 200 Pharmacy Updates: less than 5% of current retail pharmacies changing from Tier 1 to Tier 2 for Rx Choice pharmacy network
Kaiser Permanente	Rate Update: HMO -0.9%, HMO HSA -.03% PPO/PPO HSA -0.6% Broker Bonus: Remember the current bonus program runs through January 2026 effective dates, earn for new fully insured or level funded cases

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North Carolina

CARRIER	Q1 2026 UPDATE
UnitedHealthcare	Rate Update: Details pending Portfolio Changes: New Smart HSA 2.0 plans, Choice Plus Direct/Choice Open Access Direct cost savings, Expanded breast and colonoscopy screening benefits, Child and family behavioral coaching, and expanded national virtual care provider network

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South Carolina

CARRIER	Q1 2026 UPDATE
BlueChoice HealthPlan South Carolina	Portfolio Updates: New Business Blue Basic Rx portfolio added, 4 plans terminated and 1 added to Business Blue Essentials portfolio Broker Incentive: Available for Dec 2025/Jan 2026 small group business.
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina	Portfolio Updates: New Business Blue Basic Rx portfolio added, 4 plans terminated and 1 added to Business Blue Essentials portfolio along with minor benefit adjustments (portfolio's can't be mixed) Broker Incentive: Available for Dec 2025/Jan 2026 small group business.
UnitedHealthcare	Rate Update: Details pending Portfolio Changes: New Smart HSA 2.0 plans, Choice Plus Direct/Choice Open Access Direct cost savings, Expanded breast and colonoscopy screening benefits, Child and family behavioral coaching, and expanded national virtual care provider network

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Mid-Atlantic Region

District of Columbia

CARRIER	Q1 2026 UPDATE
CareFirst	Rate Update: HMO & HMO HSA 4.5% POS 4.2%, POS HSA 4.0% PPO 2.2%, PPO HSA 2.3% Coverage Mandates: $0 cost share for HIV treatment services and medications for non-HSA plans, and $ cost share for prostate cancer screenings
Kaiser Permanente	Rate Update: HMO 4.9%, HMO HSA 5.8%, POS 4.1% Portfolio Update: New KP Plus plans allow employees to see Kaiser and affiliated doctors, with access out of network doctors up to 3x per year Broker Commission: Fully insured groups 1-50 eligible will now be at $35/PEPM for first year, with $30/PEPM at renewal
UnitedHealthcare	Rate Update: HMO Full 3.6%, HMO Limited 2.1% HMO HSA Full 3.8%, HMO HSA Limited 2.4% PPO 3.3%, PPO HSA 3.8%

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Maryland

CARRIER	Q1 2026 UPDATE
CareFirst	Rate Update: HMO -2.3%, HMO HSA -2.7% POS -2.1%, POS HSA -2.5% PPO 7.1%, PPO HSA 7.2%
Kaiser Permanente	Rate Update: HMO 2.2%, HMO HSA 3.2%, POS 1.7%, POS HSA 0.7% Facility Updates: New locations include Lutherville-Timonium Medical Center Maryland, Annapolis Medical Center Maryland, Ashburn Medical Center Maryland Portfolio Update: New KP Plus plans allow employees to see Kaiser and affiliated doctors, with access out of network doctors up to 3x per year Broker Commission: Fully insured groups 1-50 eligible will now be at $35/PEPM for first year, with $30/PEPM at renewal
UnitedHealthcare	Rate Update: EPO 4.4%, EPO HSA 4.6% HMO Full 1.1%, HMO HSA Full 1.1% HMO /HMO HSA Limited 1.5% POS 0.7%, POS HSA 1.6%

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Virginia

CARRIER	Q1 2026 UPDATE
Anthem	Rate Update: POS 7.9%, POS HSA 7.8% PPO 7.5%, PPO HSA 7.7% Portfolio Updates: New Alternative Link Plans (now called Clear Choice and Virtual Access Plus), new Out-out Home Delivery, new dental plans
CareFirst	Rate Update: HMO -5.8%, HMO HSA -6.1% POS -5.4%, POS HSA -5.9% PPO -4.0%, PPO HSA -5.2% Coverage Mandates: $0 cost share for diagnostic and supplemental breast exams
Kaiser Permanente	Rate Update: HMO 4.0%, HMO HSA 5.2%, POS 4.2%, POS HSA -0.7% Facility Updates: New location, Springfield Medical Center Virginia Portfolio Update: New KP Plus plans allow employees to see Kaiser and affiliated doctors, with access out of network doctors up to 3x per year Broker Commission: Fully insured groups 1-50 eligible will now be at $35/PEPM for first year, with $30/PEPM at renewal
Sentara Health Plans	Rate Update: HMO 3.3%, HMO HSA 3.8% POS 2.9%, POS HSA 2.9% PPO 3.2%, PPO HSA 3.4% Portfolio Updates: New plan designs to add affordable copay options to the portfolio, minor benefit changes across portfolio. Broker Bonus: New Business and Retention bonuses available , as well as a Northern VA bonus of $250 per enrolled contract.
UnitedHealthcare	Rate Update: HMO 1.7%, HMO HSA 2.4% POS Full 1.7%, POS Limited 3.9% POS HSA Full 2.5%, POS HSA Limited 3.8%

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Quarterly Updates

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1/15/2026

Q1 2026 Carrier Update Overview

Q1 2026 Carrier Update Overview

West Region

Arizona

California

Northeast Region

Connecticut

New Hampshire

New York

Southeast Region

Florida

Georgia

North Carolina

South Carolina

Mid-Atlantic Region

District of Columbia

Maryland

Virginia

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UnitedHealthcare FL | Q2 2026 Update

BlueChoice HP of SC | Q1 2026 Update

Kaiser Permanente® CA | 2026 Updates