6 ways to get more from Virtual Blue

If you’re like most people, you have many things on your to-do list. Adding a trip to the doctor’s office can feel overwhelming. Lucky for you, there’s Virtual Blue^SM. Virtual Blue^SM is Blue Shield of California’s innovative health plan designed for people who are juggling it all – work, family, and time for themselves – while trying to stay healthy.

Virtual Blue^SM makes it easier to get virtual care when and where you need it. You can access urgent care, primary care, behavioral health therapy, and doctors from 20 specialties from your couch, kitchen table, or even while sitting in a car.

Here are six ways to take advantage of all this plan has to offer:

1. Book virtual visits at low or no cost  

Virtual Blue^SM can help you stay on top of your health and may be easier on your wallet. Virtual Blue^SM plans may have no or low copay for virtual visits with primary care providers, therapists, and specialists, after any applicable deductible.

Maybe you have regular doctor’s visits to manage a chronic condition, like diabetes. Or you’ve been meaning to find a therapist. Or you have kids who always seem to catch the germs going around their classroom and just need a quick checkup. For common health needs, low or no cost virtual visits can mean cost savings when it comes to seeing a doctor.

2. Choose the right doctors for you

Whether you need urgent care, routine care, or ongoing care, you can choose the doctor or therapist that you would like to see. In minutes, you can select your virtual physicians on the criteria that matter most to you: gender, race, experience, language, or expertise with LGBTQIA+ patients.

In addition to primary and urgent care, you also have a wide range of virtual behavioral health care options, including Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT), psychiatrists, and psychologists – with therapy options for ages 4 and up.

For some health needs, you may need to see a specialist who focuses on a specific kind of care. Virtual Blue^SM members have access to virtual specialists from 20 different specialties, including dermatology, cardiology, and urology. And since Virtual Blue^SM is a PPO (preferred provider organization) plan, no referral is needed to schedule a virtual visit with a specialist.

3. Easily make a virtual care appointment

Virtual appointments can be a way to access the care you need sooner – without having to travel to an office. Book an appointment online by logging in to your online member account or the Blue shield app and follow the prompts to schedule virtual care. You'll be directed to the virtual care experience to book your appointment. Primary care providers are often available for appointments the same or next day, even after hours. Therapists and specialist appointments are usually available within one to three days.

4. Connect all your virtual care in one convenient place

As a Virtual Blue^SM member, you have a health coach or care coordinator that can help you access the right care. These health coaches can:

• Schedule appointments for you: Both virtual and in-person (including labs) with doctors in your plan’s network.
• Help with pre-appointment readiness: With your permission, your coach can send your electronic medical records to your in-person doctors.
• Connecting with your health coach: After a healthcare appointment, your health coach will follow-up with you to see if you need additional support. You can also send a message to chat with your coach about health needs.

5. Get health tools at home

Your doctor can see your physical health information even when you are miles apart. After scheduling their first appointment with a virtual provider., Virtual Blue^SM members receive a Vitals Kit in the mail. The Vitals Kit has a blood pressure monitor and a thermometer to use during a virtual visit.

6. Get in-person care, too

Remember, Virtual Blue^SM is not just for virtual care. You can still see a doctor in-person. Just use our Find a doctor tool to see a list of doctors in your network. Keep in mind, for an in-person visit there may be a copay.

_{^{Virtual BlueSM plans may have no or low copay for virtual visits with Virtual BlueSM primary care providers, therapists, and specialists, after any applicable deductible. You may receive covered services from other network providers on an in-person basis or via telehealth, if available. Contact your primary care provider, treating specialist, facility, or other health professional to learn whether telehealth is an option. Network telehealth and in-person services are subject to the same timeliness and geographic access standards. If your plan has out-of-network benefits they are subject to your plan’s cost-sharing obligations and balance billing protections.}}

_{^{Virtual BlueSM is a service mark of Blue Shield of California.}}

_{^{Medline Industries, LP is independent of Blue Shield of California and is contracted by Blue Shield to deliver a Vitals Kit package of over-the-counter items.}}

_{^{Blue Shield of California does not provide medical or dental advice. This information is for informational purposes only.}}