New for 2026: Alternative Health Plans

It’s on every headline in the newspaper and on the news – healthcare costs in the U.S. continue to rise sharply. It is affecting the entire country, and there seems to be no end in sight to the continued rise in costs. In 2023, national healthcare spending surged 7.5% to $4.9 trillion, accounting for 17.6% of U.S. GDP[1] [2]. That’s nearly one-fifth of the economy, and it’s projected to rise even higher in the years ahead.[3]

Prescription drug costs alone rose 11.4% in 2023, resulting in drugs now making up 9.2% of total health spending [4]. According to PWC, “Drug spending in the US grew by $50 billion (11.4%) from $437 billion to $487 billion in 2024 at net manufacturer prices, up from $20 billion of growth (4.9%) in 2023. The trend is expected to extend into the coming years, driven by growth in oncology, immunology, cardiovascular, obesity, and diabetes drugs.”

New for 2026: Copay-Only Alternative Health Plans (AHPs)

To help employers manage rising costs and expand plan options, CalCPA Health is introducing a suite of Alternative Health Plans (AHPs) through Anthem Blue Cross, powered by Coupe Health™. These tiered, copay-only PPO designs emphasize clarity, quality, and cost control, with no gatekeeper required. Members can view provider tiers and their out-of-pocket costs before scheduling care, which enables smarter, value-driven decisions that can lead to savings for both employers and employees.

While AHPs are not new, CalCPA Health’s offerings stand out by including Small Group and HSA-compatible options—a rare find in the market. Learn more about these plan offerings and search for in-network healthcare providers.

Benefits for Employees

• No deductibles* or coinsurance on most plans.
• Access to California’s largest provider network – Anthem Blue Cross.
• Cost transparency tools to view provider rankings and exact costs upfront.
• Tiered provider rankings highlight quality and value.
• Comprehensive coverage of ACA essential health benefits: including preventive care, hospital/urgent/emergency services, specialty care, pharmacy, maternity, behavioral health, and more.

Benefits for Employers

• Premium savings potential, thanks to more efficient plan design and guiding members to high-performing providers.
• Smarter employee healthcare choices—when costs are visible before care, usage aligns with value.
• Plans that align with expectations—transparency, convenience, and choice.
• Improved employee retention by offering flexible, cost-effective options.

With healthcare spending and pharmacy costs continuing to rise, firms seek innovative, value-driven approaches rather than traditional plans with higher price tags. CalCPA Health’s AHPs offer CalCPA member firms a compelling alternative: Anthem’s provider network, combined with Coupe Health’s™ cost-transparency capabilities. These plans deliver what today’s market is looking for: affordability, clarity, quality, and flexibility.

*Two AHPs are HSA-compatible HDHPs, which do include a deductible.

[1] https://www.pgpf.org/article/healthcare-spending-will-be-one-fifth-of-the-economy-within-a-decade

[2] https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-healthcare-spending-rises-48-trillion-2023-outpacing-gdp-2024-06-12/

[3] https://www.pgpf.org/article/healthcare-spending-will-be-one-fifth-of-the-economy-within-a-decade

[4] https://www.chcf.org/resource/national-health-spending-almanac