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If you’re interested in giving your employees the freedom to choose from eight different health plans in a single program, CaliforniaChoice is for you. Choice is a part of our name – and we have been offering more of it to Californians since 1996.
Having a variety of PPO, HMO, EPO, and other health plan options is important, because it gives you the opportunity to match a plan to your specific health care needs. We launched our health plan comparison series in 2020 to help you understand the advantages offered by each of the eight health plans that are part of CaliforniaChoice.
The comparison below looks at Anthem Blue Cross, which is available statewide, and Oscar Health, which offers group coverage in Los Angeles and Orange counties.
Anthem Blue Cross
One of the state’s largest insurers, Anthem Blue Cross delivers coverage to millions of Californians. The insurer offers flexible, innovative benefits, health improvement programs, and simplified administration.
Anthem Benefits Overview
- Contracts with more than 90% of hospitals in California, including 400 acute care hospitals
- One of the largest PPO networks in the country, including 60,800 doctors and specialists in California and thousands more from coast to coast
- Strong network contracting, with an average 60% hospital discount and 48% average provider discount
- Anthem mobile app and online cost and care finder tools to make it easy to compare costs for common services and procedures; additional provider quality comparisons available through ratings and member reviews
- Cash back when shopping at thousands of retailers with PayForward, and separate special offer discounts on health products and services
- Wellness programs and tools to help you keep active and fit
Oscar Health
Oscar is the country’s first technology-driven health insurer focused on improving the member experience through easy, personalized service.
Oscar for Business was launched to bring the same Oscar experience that individuals already love to the employer market.
Oscar Benefits Overview
- Full access to a network of first-rate providers that includes top health systems like UCLA, USC Keck, Hoag, Huntington, and others – in fact, Oscar has four of LA’s top five hospitals (as ranked by U.S. News & World Report) in-network!
- No referrals required – ever. Being required to get a primary care physician first in order to see a specialist can waste your time and money. With Oscar, you can go directly to any specialist in your network – no roadblocks!
- A dedicated Concierge team, made up of care guides and a nurse who can answer questions, help you save money, and find you a doctor. Each member is assigned his or her very own Concierge team, which means you talk to the same people every time you have questions – no more anonymous call centers!
- Unlimited Doctor on Call. Talk to a board-certified doctor within 15 minutes, 24/7, for medical advice. Oscar will even send prescriptions straight to your pharmacy. All plans offer telemedicine at no cost or a low-cost ($15) copay.
- Oscar’s industry-leading mobile app makes it easy to manage benefits, find great care, and see everything in one place. You can easily search for doctors in your network, track your deductible, understand your claims, see lab results and prescriptions, access your digital member ID card, message your Concierge team, talk to a doctor via Doctor on Call, and more!
The CaliforniaChoice Advantage
With CaliforniaChoice, one of your employees might choose Anthem Blue Cross because of its broad provider network, while another selects Oscar because of its focus on health care integration with technology. They both get what they want with CaliforniaChoice – plus the option to choose from six other plans. In addition, there are employer benefits, too – including single-source administration for enrollment, eligibility, billing, and customer service.
Check back to see additional comparisons for other CaliforniaChoice health plans:
- Health Net
- Kaiser Permanente
- Sutter Health Plus
- Sharp Health Plan
- UnitedHealthcare
- Western Health Advantage
To learn more about coverage options available from CaliforniaChoice, talk with your employee benefits or health insurance agent. If you don’t have an agent, you can search for one here.
The Orange County Register Names The Word & Brown Companies a Winner of the Orange County Top Work Places 2020 Award
The Word & Brown Companies have been awarded a Top Work Places 2020 honor by The Orange County Register. The list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage, LLC. The anonymous survey uniquely measures 15 drivers of engaged cultures that are critical to the success of any organization, including alignment, execution, and connection, just to name a few.
“We are excited to again earn this award from The Orange County Register as one of the region’s top work places,” said John Word, co-founder of The Word & Brown Companies. “Orange County has been our headquarters since we began more than 35 years ago, and it’s a great place to recruit employees who embrace our longstanding philosophy of Service of Unequalled Excellence.”
“We thank everyone on our team for sharing their honest and open feedback that led to this recognition,” said Edward J. “Rusty” Brown, Jr., Word & Brown co-founder. “It’s great to be among such an elite group of Orange County employers. We appreciate all of our employees’ contributions to our organizational success, and we are humbled to be selected for this honor.”
“In times of great change, it is more important than ever to maintain a connection among employees,” said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. “When you give your employees a voice, you come together to navigate challenges and shape your path forward based on real-time insights into what works best for your organization. The Top Work Places program can be that positive outcome your company can rally around in the coming months to celebrate leadership and the importance of maintaining an employee-focused culture, even during challenging times.”
About The Word & Brown Companies
The Word & Brown Companies are comprised of three distinct businesses. Established in 1985, the Word & Brown General Agency is among the nation’s largest General Agents, with a focus on group and individual and family health insurance. CHOICE Administrators is the parent organization for CaliforniaChoice, the nation’s largest multi-carrier, small group private health exchange, and ChoiceBuilder, the nation’s first ancillary benefits exchange. The Companies also offer two no-cost prescription drug discount cards, the California Rx Card and Nevada Drug Card, which deliver savings of up to 80 percent on prescription medications at more than 68,000 pharmacies nationwide. For more information, visit www.wbcompanies.com.
About Energage
Energage offers a fully unified SaaS platform, plus support and professional services, to help organizations recruit and retain the right talent. As a B-Corporation founding member, Energage has committed itself to the purpose of making the world a better place to work together. Based on 14 years of culture research, the engine behind 51 Top Work Places programs across the country, and data gathered from over 20 million employees at 60,000 organizations, Energage has isolated the 15 drivers of engaged cultures that are critical to the success of any business, and developed the tools and expertise to help organizations measure, shape, and showcase their unique culture to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage. For more information, please visit energage.com.
Understanding Health Insurance ACA Metal Tiers
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) introduced four metal tier levels of coverage based on the actuarial value for each health plan. The categories have nothing to do with the quality of care provided by the health insurance carrier, but instead represent the share of in-network expenses paid by the health insurance carrier and the percentage of costs paid by the member – you, your employees, or dependents.
So What Are The ACA Metal Tiers?
| Metal Tier | Payment Based on Actuarial Value (Within +/- 2%) | Member Pays |
| Platinum | Insurance carrier pays 90% of the costs of covered in-network benefits | 10% of costs of covered in-network benefits |
| Gold | Insurance carrier pays 80% of the costs of covered in-network benefits | 20% of costs of covered in-network benefits |
| Silver | Insurance carrier pays 70% of the costs of covered in-network benefits | 30% of costs of covered in-network benefits |
| Bronze | Insurance carrier pays 60% of the costs of covered in-network benefits | 40% of costs of covered in-network benefits |
The amount you pay in premium depends on what percentage of covered benefits are paid for by the health insurance carrier. For example, a Platinum plan is typically more expensive, but pays a higher percentage toward covered in-network services. On the other hand, a Bronze plan typically offers lower premiums, and it pays less toward covered in-network services. Costs could be higher in the long term for individuals with a Bronze plan who need a lot of medical care. For small business, group-sponsored health insurance, you (as the employer) select the metal tier to offer to your employees. Some programs, such as the CaliforniaChoice small group private exchange, give you the option to select more than one metal tier. Contact a CaliforniaChoice broker if you want to know more about the ACA metal tiers.
When it comes to something as important as health insurance, having a choice should be a given. CaliforniaChoice provides you with that choice. Our program offers the freedom to choose from eight different health plans in a single program.
To help guide your decision, we’re highlighting the unique offerings for each of our eight plans [link to hub]. Let’s compare Sharp Health Plan and Sutter Health Plus, two regional health plan options available through CaliforniaChoice.
Sharp Health Plan
Sharp Health Plan is the only local, commercial health plan, serving San Diego since 1992. As a non-profit company, Sharp Health Plan gives back to the community by providing access to affordable health care of the highest quality, serving a variety of organizations ranging from small businesses to large employers to municipalities.
Sharp Health Plan Benefits Overview
- HMO Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze plans
- High Deductible Bronze HMO and Health Savings Account (HSA) plans
- High-performance health care network with more than 600 Primary Care Physicians, 1,100 specialists, and 13 local hospitals
- Sharp Nurse Connection after-hours nurse advice line
- Global emergency service program operated by Assist America
- Treatment for minor illnesses and injuries available at CVS MinuteClinic® locations nationwide
Sutter Health Plus
Not-for-profit Sutter Health Plus offers competitively priced HMO health plans in the Greater Central Valley, Sacramento, and Bay Area. When you choose Sutter Health Plus, you gain access to a high-quality provider network that includes many of Sutter Health’s nationally respected and recognized hospitals, doctors, and other health care services – all at an affordable price.
Sutter Health Plus Benefits Overview
- Competitively priced products that give members access to a network of providers
- Convenient locations within service area for primary care, specialty care, X-ray and diagnostic imaging, lab, hospital services, etc.
- Mail-order pharmacy program and conveniently located retail pharmacies
- My Health Online (not offered by all providers) to schedule appointments, email doctors, view test results, and access your records
- Coverage for emergency and urgent care anywhere in the world
- Welcome calls to help new and returning members better understand medical benefits and coverage – and assist in facilitating initial appointments
- 24/7 nurse advice triage line
The CaliforniaChoice Advantage
With CaliforniaChoice, you and your employees have more choice – and the ability to find insurance that meets your unique needs. One of your employees might choose a plan because of its broad PPO network. Another employee might select HMO coverage from a regional or statewide plan. With CaliforniaChoice, they both get what they need – while other employees have the option to choose from six other plans.
There are benefits for you, too – like a single monthly bill for all of your employees’ coverage and single-source administration for enrollment, eligibility, and customer care.
Check back to see additional comparisons on other CaliforniaChoice plans, including:
- Anthem Blue Cross ADD LINKS
- Health Net
- Kaiser Permanente
- Oscar Health
- UnitedHealthcare
- Western Health Advantage
An employee benefits agent can provide you with more information about the advantages of CaliforniaChoice and the coverage options available. If you don’t already have an agent, you can search for one here.
Having choices when it comes to health insurance is important. After all, health care is not “one size fits all.” We knew that when we started CaliforniaChoice in 1996, and it’s equally important today. CaliforniaChoice gives you and your employees the freedom to choose from eight different health plans in a single health insurance program.
Choice is important, as is having information to help you choose the health plan that is right for you. We’re breaking it down and comparing key benefits of each of our eight participating health plans in a comparison series. Below, we compare the benefits of Kaiser Permanente and Oscar Health, two popular health plans available through CaliforniaChoice.
Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente was founded in 1945 and was one of the nation’s first health programs to offer comprehensive health care services on a prepaid basis.
Headquartered in Oakland, California, Kaiser Permanente’s innovative spirit drives the country’s largest non-profit health care organization – guided by physicians and focused on providing high-quality care to members.
Kaiser Permanente Benefits Overview
- 11.8 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia, including 8.5 million members in California
- More than 16,000 physicians provide care at 450+ medical offices and 36 hospitals in California
- Only one of ten physician applicants is chosen to become a member of Kaiser Permanente’s care team
- Members choose their own personal physician and can change doctors for any reason
- “Excellent” ratings from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), the leading reviewer of health plan quality
Oscar Health
Oscar is the country’s first technology-driven health insurer focused on improving the member experience through easy, personalized service.
Oscar for Business was launched to bring the same Oscar experience that individuals already love to the employer market.
Oscar Benefits Overview
- Full access to a network of first-rate providers that includes top health systems like UCLA, USC Keck, Hoag, Huntington, and others. Oscar has four of LA’s top five hospitals (as ranked by U.S. News & World Report) in-network.
- No referrals required. Being required to get a primary care physician first in order to see a specialist can waste your time and money. With Oscar, you can go directly to any specialist in your network.
- A dedicated Concierge team, made up of care guides and a nurse who can answer questions, help you save money, and find you a doctor. Each member is assigned his or her very own Concierge team, which means you talk to the same people every time you have questions.
- Unlimited Doctor on Call. Talk to a board-certified doctor within 15 minutes, 24/7, for medical advice. Oscar will even send prescriptions straight to your pharmacy. All plans offer telemedicine at no cost or a low ($15) copay.
Oscar’s mobile app makes it easy to manage benefits, find great care, and see everything in one place. You can easily search for doctors in your network, track your deductible, understand your claims, see lab results and prescriptions, access your digital member ID card, message your Concierge team, and talk to a doctor via Doctor on Call.
The CaliforniaChoice Advantage
With CaliforniaChoice, you can offer your employees coverage from eight health plans (with dozens of coverage options), so they can easily find the one that best meets their unique needs. For example, one employee who travels frequently in the state could choose a plan based on its vast network of providers across California, while another employee might select a plan with an integrated approach to health care through its own facilities. With CaiforniaChoice, they can both get what they want, while other employees have access to six other statewide and regional health plan options.
CaliforniaChoice offers more than great health insurance. You get one monthly bill for all of your employees’ coverage, value-added benefits like the Member Value Suite and Business Solutions Suite, and a single email and toll-free phone number for enrollment, eligibility, and customer care.
Check back to see other comparisons for CaliforniaChoice plans, including:
- Anthem Blue Cross ADD LINKS
- Health Net
- Sharp Health Plan
- Sutter Health Plus
- UnitedHealthcare
- Western Health Advantage
For additional information about all of the advantages offered by CaliforniaChoice, talk with your employee benefits agent or insurance broker. If you don’t have one, we can help you find one here.
Health care is not one size fits all, which is why CaliforniaChoice gives you the freedom to choose from eight different health plans in a single program. While everyone loves choices, understanding the options and selecting a health plan that is right for you and your family can be a confusing process. So, we’re breaking it down and comparing key benefits of each of our eight participating health plans. We are kicking off our comparison series with Anthem Blue Cross and Health Net.
Anthem Blue Cross
Anthem Blue Cross is among the state’s top insurers, delivering health insurance coverage to millions of Californians. The insurer offers flexible, innovative benefits, health improvement programs, and simplified administration.
Anthem Benefits Overview
- One of the largest PPO networks in the country with access to thousands of doctors and specialists and more than 60,800 doctors and specialists in California
- Contracted with more than 90% of hospitals in California, including 400 acute care hospitals
- Strong network contracting with an average 60% hospital discount and 48% average provider discount
- Cost and care finder tools online and via the Anthem mobile app; it’s easy to compare costs for common services and procedures based on specific benefits; you can also check the quality of providers through ratings and member reviews
- PayForward gives you an opportunity to earn cash back when shopping at thousands of retailers; a separate Special Offers program includes discounts on healthy products and services
- Wellness programs and tools to help keep you active and fit
Health Net
Founded in 1977, Health Net of California is one of the largest health insurers in California – offering a range of plans to millions of California residents, including 12 HMO options through CaliforniaChoice.
Health Net Benefits Overview
- Easy-to-understand benefits and predictable costs
- A variety of provider networks where you will find trusted doctors, medical groups, and hospitals in your community
- Decision Power Wellness Coaching
- Nurses available 24/7 by phone
- Health Net Mobile makes it easier to get things done
- Access telehealth services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with board-certified doctors available by phone, mobile app, or on the web
- Access Heal on-demand doctor house calls for sick/urgent care services with any of Health Net’s HMO plans (in select urban areas)
- Strength and stability: Centene, Health Net’s parent company, is a Fortune 100 company
The CaliforniaChoice Advantage
With CaliforniaChoice, your employees can choose the health plan that meets their unique needs. For example, one employee could choose Anthem Blue Cross because of its large PPO network. Another employee could select Health Net because of its 24/7 accessibility to nurses and doctors.
There are benefits for employers, too. You can manage all of your employees’ benefits in a single program and pay just one monthly bill. CaliforniaChoice offers a single source of administration for enrollment, billing, eligibility, and customer service.
Check back to see additional plan comparisons, including:
- Kaiser Permanente
- Oscar Health
- Sharp Health Plan
- Sutter Health Plus
- UnitedHealthcare
- Western Health Advantage
Talk with your employee benefits agent or insurance broker to learn more about all of the advantages and coverage options from CaliforniaChoice. If you don’t already have an agent, we can help you find one here.
We all love choices, but the reality is navigating the complexities of health insurance can be overwhelming for both you and your employees. Each of you is different – you have different health care needs, budgets, and preferences. The truth is, there is no single health plan that works for everyone. That’s why we decided to do something different.
CaliforniaChoice offers eight of the state’s top health plans in a single program. You have a flexible health care program that allows you to choose your budget at a fixed yearly cost. Meanwhile, your employees have the power to choose from a variety of HMO, PPO, EPO, and other coverage options to find the plan that best meets their varying needs.
Compare Options Within CaliforniaChoice
You have dozens of options with CaliforniaChoice. Understanding how each plan can address your specific health care needs is even better. With that in mind, we’re launching a new series of articles comparing key benefits of our eight participating health plans. We hope this helps you determine what might be right for you. We’ll add new comparisons each month, so check back regularly for the latest information.
Anthem Blue Cross and Health Net
Kaiser Permanente and Oscar Health
Sharp Health Plan and Sutter Health Plus
Western Health Advantage and UnitedHealthCare
Talk With an Agent to Learn More
An employee benefits agent can give you more information about CaliforniaChoice, help you compare plans, and set your budget. If you do not already have an agent, we can help you find one here.
As concerns regarding COVID-19 grow, we are committed to keeping our employees and customers safe, and continuing to service you and your employees. Therefore, while we are open for business, we are mobilizing our operation, where possible, and restricting visitors to our office effective immediately.
How This Temporary Change Affects Your Monthly Payment
At this time, we ask that you pay your monthly bill online rather than mailing it or dropping off a check at our office. This ensures your payment will be processed quickly and prevents possible delays resulting from any business impact due to the current public health crisis.
If you have not already, please go to calchoice.com and register. Once you have registered, you can:
- Pay your bill
- Set up automatic payments
- Update your contact information or make other adjustments to your account
If you have questions about your account or need help setting up automatic payments, please call our Customer Care Team at 800.558.8003, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
We wish you good health and thank you for placing your business with us.
CaliforniaChoice
Stay Updated with Our Carrier Partners
You may have employees wondering how their health plan is responding to COVID-19. The links below provide you with information, by carrier. Please feel free to share with your employees.
- Anthem Blue Cross
- Health Net
- Kaiser Permanente
- Oscar Health
- Sharp Health Plan
- Sutter Health Plus
- UnitedHealthcare
- Western Health Advantage
If employees prefer to contact their carrier directly, they can use the number on the back of their member ID card.
Keeping you up to date with the latest employee benefits news and trends at home here in California and sometimes far beyond. Here is a roundup of this week’s top group health care news:
Uber Challenges Gig Worker health benefits
9 New Employee Benefits in Trends in 2020
Simplify Business in the New Decade
OPM Recommends Paid Parental Leave Corrections
Extended Paid Leave for Danish New Fathers
1% Raise and Benefit Cuts for Federal Employees
Flexible Employee Benefits
Downward Dog. Tree. Bridge. Warrior. Lotus.
According to Forbes, 59% of executives would rather watch a video than read text.
As consumers, we simply find videos more engaging, more memorable.
With this in mind, our new “California Different” video spotlights CaliforniaChoice’s innovative approach to employee benefits, how our program works, and why it’s a refreshing alternative to the traditional way of offering benefits – all in less than one minute.