Welcome to your plan
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Virtual Blue puts you at the center of your coverage, both virtually and in person, making it easier to get the care that’s right for you. Now that you’ve enrolled, we’re here to guide you through your care options, key plan benefits, and features such as prescriptions, well-being resources, and more.
Get to know Virtual Blue
Benefits that put you front and center
- Choose how to access care, virtually or in-person. No referrals are needed, and booking a virtual appointment is easy.
- Your virtual care team includes a doctor, nurse, care coordinator, and certified health coach who will work together to provide personalized care.
- $0 copays and a $0 deductible for all virtual visits with a virtual provider located by using the Accolade Care* mobile app or website.
The access you need online
With your Blue Shield of California online account, you can access your member ID card, choose your doctors, see your pharmacy benefits, discover health and wellness programs, manage your health plan, and much more.
Register now or log in to get started.
- Get access to in-person care from in-network and out-of-network providers at the applicable cost share for your plan.
- 24/7 virtual care for medical health via phone or video.
- Find doctors in-network for your plan using our Find a doctor tool.
Additional benefits and services that help you live better:
Wellvolution® – Offers in-person and online programs that focus on general well-being and disease reversal. You’ll have access to tools designed to help you develop healthy habits, lose weight, quit smoking, treat diabetes, manage diseases, and support behavioral health. All at no extra cost to you.
Pharmacy – The Blue Shield network of pharmacies includes 5,800 pharmacies in California and 65,000 pharmacies nationally. Fill your prescriptions at any of those retail locations or get covered maintenance drugs** delivered to you through CVS Caremark Mail Service Pharmacy.
Highlights of your plan
Connection
Virtual Blue keeps you and your doctors connected
A virtual care team will collaborate behind the scenes to provide personalized care that addresses your health concerns and helps keep you healthy. You’ll be able to choose from primary care, specialty, and mental health professionals who will have access to your medical history, plus an established in-person PPO network of doctors.
Savings
Virtual Blue keeps your healthcare costs down
There’s a $0 copay and a $0 deductible for all virtual visits with a virtual provider accessed through the Accolade Care* mobile app or website. You still have access to the Blue Shield Tandem PPO network for in-person and virtual visits, though applicable copays and deductibles apply.
Convenience
Virtual Blue makes it easy to book virtual appointments
Choose the first available appointment from your virtual doctor or select another virtual doctor who is available when you are. Your Virtual Blue health coach can also assist with booking an in-person appointment for you, based on your preferences for gender, language, location, and patient age range to ensure they select a provider who suits your needs.
FAQ
What is Accolade Care?
Accolade Care provides Virtual Blue members access to PlushCare and TeleMed2U virtual providers through the Accolade Care mobile app or by logging in to blueshieldca.com, which will redirect them to the Accolade Care website.
How is Virtual Blue different from Teladoc or other basic telehealth options?
Virtual Blue differs from basic telehealth in several ways. First, Virtual Blue members select their virtual physicians on the criteria that matter to them and can continue to see those physicians on an ongoing basis for virtual preventive and chronic care.
Second, Virtual Blue members have same-day access to a virtual PCP, who may or may not be their selected physician. In addition, members have access to a virtual health coach and behavioral healthcare navigator who support members with health improvement, chronic condition management, and coordination of specialty care.
All Virtual Blue subscribers are sent a Vitals Kit that allows them to perform basic health checks at home. By now, you should have received yours. The Vitals Kit includes a blood pressure cuff, scale, and thermometer.
What if I have questions about my Vitals Kit?
Learn more about your Vitals Kit with these frequently asked questions (PDF, 397KB)
What types of doctors will I be able to see through Accolade Care?
As a Virtual Blue plan member, you will be connected to a virtual team of integrated primary, mental health, and specialty care professionals, plus an established in-person PPO network. You can see a list of all the specialties covered in your Evidence of Coverage, Benefit Booklet, or on the Accolade Care website.
Can I continue to see my existing doctor(s) after becoming a Virtual Blue member?
Yes, you can continue to see your existing in-person doctors and pay the applicable in-network or out-of-network cost share, based on your plan’s benefits. The exact cost share will depend on whether your doctor is in or out of the Virtual Blue plan’s Tandem PPO network.
*Accolade and the Accolade Care solution are independent of Blue Shield of California. Accolade is contracted by Blue Shield to provide an integrated member experience by enabling access to virtual primary care and mental health services as well as support virtual specialty care service.
**Maintenance drugs are those prescribed to treat a chronic or long-term medical condition such as asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, and are taken on an ongoing, regular basis to maintain health.
Virtual services from Virtual Blue providers are $0 and not subject to the 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.
