Supporting Small Businesses Through 2026 Changes

Running a small business has never been easy. We understand these changes are difficult. Our commitment is to help small businesses make the most of their benefits and to continue supporting your employees in meaningful ways.

Even in a challenging year, we’ve worked to deliver value, improve access, and help manage costs. Here are the updates and programs available to support you and your team.

The value of being fully insured with integrated benefits

When your business is fully insured, you receive more than coverage. You also gain the advantage of integrated medical and pharmacy care. This approach helps reduce disruptions, makes care easier to use, and creates opportunities for savings.

What is new in 2026

Teledermatology. Employees can now connect with skin care specialists through MDLIVE®, included with renewals for groups that already have MDLIVE®. This allows for screening, diagnosis and treatment of more than 3,000 skin, hair, and nail conditions, often within 24 hours.

Programs that support employees

Pharmacy support
Drug costs continue to rise, and we know affordability is a top concern. These pharmacy programs are designed to ease the burden:

• Automatic Rx Discount Program. Members can use embedded discounts on thousands of brand-name and generic drugs at more than 60,000 pharmacies, lowering out-of-pocket costs even for medications not covered under pharmacy benefits.
• Pharmacy concierge. A dedicated clinical team of medical professionals, pharmacists and pharmacy trend analysts review prescriptions for savings opportunities, such as generics, dosage optimization, and specialty drug management.
• Core pharmacy suite. Back-end strategies such as formulary management, waste reduction, GLP-1 trend management, cancer care, and specialty drug optimization.

Digital wellbeing tools

These tools are designed to help employees set and achieve their wellbeing goals. They offer convenient ways to track progress, stay motivated and enjoy rewards along the way.

• ThriveWell^SM. This digital program is embedded in all Small Group plans and supported by Personify Health. Employees can connect fitness trackers, complete health checks, set personal goals, join coworker challenges, and access digital coaching. Members can also earn up to $200 each per year for subscribers and spouses or domestic partners, for a total of $400 per plan.

Condition management programs
Employees also have access to comprehensive care for chronic and complex conditions. This includes support for diabetes, chronic kidney disease, cancer, behavioral health, cardiac, and musculoskeletal disorders.

• Enhanced Diabetes Education Program. Guided by certified diabetes care specialists, this program helps members build self-management skills. Engaged participants experience a 70% reduction in emergency department visits and readmissions, and a 51% increase in primary care visits.
• Vori Health. This digital musculoskeletal program supports back, neck, and joint health. With convenient video visits, medical evaluations, and personalized treatment plans, employees can access physical therapy, non-opioid pain management, and imaging as needed.
• Welvie. This surgery decision support tool helps employees explore treatment options and supports making informed choices before surgery.

Away From Home Care

Life takes employees and their families in many directions. College, long work assignments, or seasonal moves can mean living away from home for months at a time. Away From Home Care ensures coverage continues.

Employees and dependents can access care through guest membership in participating HMOs nationwide. Benefits include coverage without added paperwork or upfront costs other than normal copays or deductibles. Members also receive a new ID card and primary care physician in the host location.

Making coverage affordable and sustainable

Our focus is on helping you get the most from your benefits. These programs bring value, support and chances to keep your employees healthier and more engaged. When your team stays healthy, you can avoid extra medical costs and keep health care expenses more manageable for your small business. Together, we will continue to find ways to manage costs while protecting both your business and your employees

Ready to explore 2026 plans?

Our 2026 small group plans and rates are now available, along with enrollment materials such as the Product Guide and Q1 At-a-Glance Brochures.

Connect with your representative today to learn more at excellusforbusiness.com

Disclaimer

Personify Health is an independent company and offers a digital wellbeing service on behalf of Excellus BlueCrossBlueShield, a nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

Vori Health is an independent company that offers virtual musculoskeletal (back, neck and joint) health care and physical therapy services to Excellus BlueCross BlueShield members.

Welvie is an independent company that provides a surgery decision program to Excellus BlueCross BlueShield members.