CaliforniaChoice’s 2022 Portfolio Provides the Most Options in the State

December 10, 2021by Alex Strautman

CaliforniaChoice started more than 25 years ago. But, our commitment to providing the most flexible program in the state for small businesses is stronger than ever. We continue to evolve our health plan portfolio to better serve the needs of our customers. That’s why 94% of our employer groups renew their benefits with us each year.

Program Enhancements

We expanded our roster of health plans in 2021 to add Cigna + Oscar. The partnership builds on Oscar’s focus on personalized care and adds Cigna’s providers in the LocalPlus® network.

Employees can now choose from 16 Cigna + Oscar EPO (Exclusive Provider Organization) plan options. Cigna + Oscar includes four EPO plans in each of the Affordable Care Act metal tiers (Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum).

Two robust networks are available: LocalPlus and the Open Access Plus national network. LocalPlus offers access to 23,400+ health care practitioners and 63 hospitals in Northern California. It adds 36,700 health care practitioners and 189 hospitals in Southern California.

Employers can offer one network or both, side by side.

If an EPO from Cigna + Oscar is not the right choice for all of your employees, that’s okay. CaliforniaChoice offers seven other health plans in our program. Your employees can choose whichever health plan is right for them.

For example, one employee might choose an EPO from Cigna + Oscar or Anthem Blue Cross. Another might choose a PPO because it includes a particular doctor or hospital in its network. A third employee might select an HSA-compatible HMO from Kaiser Permanente or UnitedHealthcare, or an HMO plan from Health Net. Others might select Sharp Health Plan, Sutter Health Plus, or Western Health Advantage. Whatever your employees’ needs may be, it’s their plan choice with CaliforniaChoice.

Network Expansion

For 2022, UnitedHealthcare is expanding its Harmony network. It now includes Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, San Mateo, Solano, and Sonoma counties.

The Harmony network is already available in Southern California. It combines quality care, technology, tools, and resources. That helps UnitedHealthcare members improve their patient experience and outcomes.

Employer Cost Control

Beyond offering more choice to employees, you’ll appreciate that CaliforniaChoice puts you in charge of your benefits costs. You decide just how much to contribute to employees’ health insurance premiums. You can choose a Fixed Percentage Amount (50% to 100%) toward a specific benefit. Or, you may prefer a Fixed Dollar Amount for employees.

Whatever you choose, your employees then use your generous contribution toward the cost of the plans they prefer. If they pick plans that cost more than your contribution, they simply pay the difference.

Your contribution amount is locked-in for a year. That simplifies your budgeting. If you want to, you can change your contribution at renewal next year.

The advantages to CaliforniaChoice do not stop there. CaliforniaChoice offers valuable extra benefits, too, including:

  • Discount Dental and Vision care
  • Discounted Hearing services
  • HR support from Mineral (formerly Mammoth HR/ThinkHR)
  • Wellness services, including discounted fitness center memberships
  • Savings on entertainment, travel, food delivery, gifts, education, prescription drugs, and more

Ask your broker about the Business Solutions Suite and Member Value Suite.

Learn More

If you’re considering health coverage for your employees in 2022, talk with a broker. A broker can deliver a custom health insurance quote for your business. Keep in mind, rates are the same whether you go through a broker or get coverage directly from a health plan.

The CaliforiaChoice program is only available through a broker. If you don’t have one, we make it easy to search for one in your area here.

Shopping for group health insurance?

This guide compiles a list of common questions you may have before you start offering health insurance coverage.
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