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California Watch

News stories in this section spotlight activities in California, including actions by the state Assembly and state Senate; proposed legislation; regulators like the Department of Managed Health Care and Department of Insurance; and the state ACA exchange, Covered California.

Popular Ancillary Exchange Now Available to California Businesses With Up to 500 Employees

CHOICE Administrators is expanding coverage through ChoiceBuilder, its ancillary-only benefits exchange. Insurance brokers can now offer employer-sponsored and voluntary insurance to businesses with up to 500 employees for coverage effective March 1, 2021. Options include dental, vision, chiropractic & acupuncture, and life insurance.

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Word & Brown Now Quoting Cigna + Oscar 2021 Health Plans for Bay Area Small Businesses

Word & Brown General Agency announced today the availability of quoting for a new health plan option for brokers serving SF Bay Area small businesses. For coverage effective January 1, 2021, Word & Brown has added a new Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) option from Cigna + Oscar. Small businesses in Northern California have more choices ...

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California Coronavirus Shutdown Will Last Through Christmas As Deaths Explode Past 20,000

For millions of Californians, the COVID-19 pandemic will provide a most unwelcome gift this Christmas: a wide-ranging shutdown imposed as the state grapples with its most massive and dangerous surge in infections and hospitalizations to date.

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The Increasing Dominance Of Insurtech

As we move into 2021, one thing is for certain: Companies will continue to embrace remote-working policies. Because of this, Insurtech (use of technology to increase efficiency in the insurance industry) will continue to influence how the health insurance industry operates.

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Some Southern California Business Owners Will Defy Governor’s Coronavirus Shutdown Order

From the apple-growing foothills of Oak Glen to the Pacific Ocean, owners of restaurants, wineries, resorts, hair salons and other enterprises said they would defy the coronavirus shutdown taking effect a minute before midnight on Sunday, Dec. 6.

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California Releases Smartphone Virus Tool As Cases Soar

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday announced a voluntary smartphone tool to alert people of possible coronavirus exposure as cases soar higher, new restrictions are imposed and many people still say they won’t heed the pleas to stay home.

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Gov. Newsom Appoints New Directors In Public Health And Economics

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday announced several new appointments to key posts in his administration.

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Newsom Threatens ‘Drastic’ New Lockdown Order

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday said a “drastic” new lockdown order might be necessary if coronavirus cases in the state continue to surge to their highest levels since the start of the pandemic.

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Free COVID-19 Testing — Easier Said Than Done For California Health Plans

The California Senate Health Committee held an informational hearing on Nov. 23 that suggested private insurers have not fully complied with free testing regulations and that adhering to these mandates is not always straightforward for health plans.

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One Seat, Competing Pressures as Newsom Considers Senate Pick

Alex Padilla, California’s secretary of state, has emerged as the front-runner to succeed Kamala Harris. But Gov. Gavin Newsom appears to be in no rush to make his choice.

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