Virtual Blue benefits are available with PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plans, EPO (Exclusive Provider Organization) plans, and High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs). Members enrolled in these plans do not need referrals to access virtual or in-person care. Members have access to unlimited $0 virtual visits for preventive, primary, specialty, and mental health care from Virtual Blue virtual-only providers.

For in-person care, PPO and HDHP members may visit any provider – both in and out of the plan’s PPO network – though services are subject to any applicable deductible and cost sharing. EPO members can receive in-person care only from providers within the PPO network, except for urgent or emergency care.

PPO, EPO, and HDHP members can access both virtual-only and in-person care nationwide. PPO and HDHP members can access care for covered services when traveling outside the U.S. EPO members can only access urgent and emergency care when traveling outside the U.S.

No. PPO plan and HDHP members can receive in-person care from both in-network and out-of-network providers, but any applicable deductible and cost sharing applies. EPO plan members are limited to in-person care from providers within the PPO network, except for urgent or emergency care. Additionally, many in-person doctors offer virtual visits, which are also subject to any applicable deductible and cost sharing.

No. You are not required to select a virtual PCP when you enroll in the plan. You will have the option to choose a Virtual Blue PCP or an in-person PCP. The choice is entirely up to you. You can change your virtual or in-person PCP if you wish.

Yes. You can continue to see your current in-person doctor(s) whether they are in or out of the plan’s network. You will be responsible for paying any applicable deductible and in-network or out-of-network cost-sharing amounts, based on your plan’s benefits. Note: EPO plan members are limited to in-person care from providers within the PPO network, except for urgent or emergency care.

Virtual Blue benefits offer several advantages over basic telehealth options such as Teladoc Health and NurseHelp 24/7^SM. First, you can select your virtual-only doctors based on language, education, and demographics—and continue seeing the same providers for ongoing preventive, primary, specialty, and mental health care. This is different than traditional telehealth services where you typically see a different doctor each time.

Second, Virtual Blue benefits give you access to a dedicated virtual care team, including doctors, nurses, health coaches, and behavioral health providers. Third, once you’ve booked your first appointment with a Virtual Blue provider, you’ll receive a Virtual Blue Vitals Kit to help with diagnostics during virtual visits − at no extra cost. The Vitals Kit includes a blood pressure cuff, thermometer, and welcome communications.

As a member with Virtual Blue benefits, you will be connected to a virtual team of integrated preventive, primary, specialty, and mental health care professionals, plus an established in-person PPO network.

Virtual care services include:

• Preventive care and primary care, including pediatrics, family medicine, internal medicine, and more.
• Specialty care in 19 fields, including cardiology, dermatology, and neurology.
• Mental and behavioral health care, with access to psychiatrists, psychologists, marriage & family therapists, licensed clinical social workers, and mental health coaches. Virtual talk therapy with the same provider is also available for ages 3 and up.

Yes. The virtual-only care team reflects gender and racial diversity. Virtual-only doctors collectively speak 25+ languages, and include Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. They are also experienced in supporting LGBTQIA+ patients.

No, Virtual Blue virtual-only providers do not have physical locations, so in-person visits are not available. However, if you are a PPO, EPO, or HDHP member, you can see in-network providers for in-person care. PPO and HDHP members also have the option to visit out-of-network providers for in-person appointments. EPO members are limited to in-person care from providers within the PPO network − except for urgent or emergency care.

Yes. You will have access to patient reviews and physician biographies through the Blue Shield of California mobile app or website. You can select doctors based on the criteria that are most important to you, including gender, race, years of experience, language spoken, and experience with diverse patient populations.

Members ages 3 and up can access unlimited $0 virtual mental health visits from virtual-only providers. Available services include psychotherapy, psychiatry and medication management, and therapy sessions with mental health professionals. These professionals include licensed clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, psychiatrists, and psychologists (including PhDs).

If you have an EPO or PPO plan, or HDHP, you can receive in-person or virtual mental health services from providers within the plan’s PPO network. EPO plan members are limited to care from providers within the PPO network − except for urgent or emergency care. PPO and HDHP members may also use out-of-network providers. Services from in-network and out-of-network providers are subject to any applicable deductible and cost sharing.

With Virtual Blue benefits, you can choose in-person care at your own discretion, or at the advice of a care professional. Your virtual care team can determine if any medical services cannot be provided virtually and will suggest when you should see an in-person provider. These services are subject to any applicable deductible and cost sharing. You do not need a referral from your virtual-only provider to access in-person care.

Examples of medical services that cannot be provided virtually include some preventive screenings such as mammograms, lab work, skin procedures such as biopsies or abscess treatments, etc.

With Virtual Blue benefits, you can find, select, and schedule your virtual-only provider appointment through the Blue Shield of California mobile app or by logging in to blueshieldca.com. To find in-person providers, you can use our Find a Doctor tool to search our PPO networks.

You can book virtual visits with virtual-only providers in minutes by downloading the Blue Shield of California mobile app or by logging in to blueshieldca.com. You can also schedule virtual visits by calling the phone number on the back of the member ID card.

Same‑day appointments are often available for primary and preventive care. Specialist appointments are typically confirmed within three days. Behavioral health appointments are also usually confirmed within three days. Support from medical doctors and nurses is available 24/7, 365 days a year.

Your virtual health coach can assist you in booking an appointment for in-person care, or you can book the appointment directly with the provider. With the EPO and PPO plans and HDHP, you do not need a referral for care.

Yes. With your consent, in-person providers may share notes with Virtual Blue’s virtual-only providers. With your consent, Virtual Blue’s virtual-only providers may also share notes with in-person providers.

Yes. Once you’ve booked your first virtual appointment, you’ll receive a Virtual Blue Vitals Kit to help with diagnostics during your virtual visit – at no extra cost. The Vitals Kit includes a blood pressure cuff, thermometer, and welcome communications. We will send one Vitals Kit to each enrolled household.

Ideally, you or any of your family members will take their vitals (blood pressure and temperature) before the scheduled visit.

We will send one Vitals Kit to each enrolled household. Family members can share the devices in the Vitals Kit. Please consult your physician on how to use these devices.