BLUE SHIELD OF CALIFORNIA EXPANDS VIRTUAL BLUE PROGRAM, BRINGING $0 OUT-OF-POCKET VIRTUAL CARE BENEFIT TO 260,000 MORE MEMBERS

Expansion will more than double program enrollment; members get unlimited virtual primary, behavioral health, and specialist visits with $0 out-of-pocket costs and often same-day access.

OAKLAND, Calif., Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Shield of California today announced a significant expansion of its flagship virtual care benefit, Virtual Blue, advancing the nonprofit health plan's commitment to accessible, affordable, high-quality healthcare. 

Beginning January 2027, the Virtual Blue benefit will be included in fully insured preferred provider organization (PPO) plans for employers with 101-3,000 employees and certain individual and family plans.* The expansion will make Virtual Blue available to an additional 200,000 mid-size employer PPO members and 60,000 Individual and Family Plan members, increasing total enrollment in plans with the Virtual Blue program benefit from 150,000 to more than 410,000.

"Virtual Blue is a reflection of our commitment to listening to the people we serve," said Jigar Shah, chief marketing and strategy officer at Blue Shield of California. "Our members told us they wanted care that was easier to access, more personalized, and more affordable. That's exactly what we've built, and we're excited to continue expanding it."

Launched in 2023 with Accolade (now Transcarent) and TeleMed2U, Virtual Blue provides access to integrated care, available day and night, including evenings and weekends. Services include virtual primary care, behavioral health, specialist care, and support from a dedicated health coach, who helps members manage follow-ups, referrals, labs, and in-person care when needed or preferred. 

Virtual visits through Virtual Blue come with $0 out-of-pocket costs. Members can typically access same-day or next-day appointments for primary healthcare — significantly faster than California's average 10-day wait for in-person care — enabling earlier intervention and better health outcomes.

Integrated, quicker care, at no cost — regardless of zip code

Virtual Blue includes a full suite of virtual services with $0 out-of-pocket costs for virtual visits:

• Primary care, including diagnosis and treatment for preventive care, general health, and internal medicine
• Behavioral and mental healthcare, including access to licensed clinical social workers (LCSW), and marriage and family therapists (MFT) in all 50 states. No referrals required, with unlimited virtual talk therapy for members ages 3 and up
• Specialist care, with 20 specialties including dermatology, cardiology, psychology, psychiatry, and access to specialists nationwide
• Day and night urgent care

Virtual Blue connects members with experienced, highly trained doctors — educated at top U.S. medical schools and trained in virtual care. Members can choose providers based on preferences such as gender, race, language, and experience. 

In post-visit surveys by Blue Shield members, Virtual Blue's virtual physicians earned a Post-Visit Provider Satisfaction score of 91 out of 100 in 2025 — indicating extremely high member satisfaction.

A smarter, more affordable solution for employers and members

Compared to equivalent membership without Virtual Blue, Virtual Blue utilization has delivered a 7–10% lower overall cost of care, averaging $468 in employer savings per member annually.

A recent assessment of Virtual Blue also found emergency room visits were reduced by more than 10%, compared to equivalent membership without Virtual Blue

Additionally, 60% of members surveyed report they would have used higher-cost care, such as urgent care or the emergency room, or delayed care altogether without Virtual Blue.

With convenient access to virtual care, Virtual Blue can also be especially valuable for employers in provider shortage areas, organizations with geographically dispersed teams, and those seeking more flexible, modern care models. The model can also help members stay connected to care during environmental-related disruptions, such as wildfires or hurricanes, while reducing environmental impacts.

Improving health outcomes through better access

Through lowering the financial barrier to care and improving access, the model is also improving outcomes:

• More than half of members who use Virtual Blue report at least one chronic condition — which can mean more frequent visits with doctors to meet their higher-touch needs — underscoring the need for consistent, coordinated care to manage health and prevent complications. Members with chronic conditions account for 74% of total virtual care utilization.
• 85% of virtual primary care visits through Virtual Blue include behavioral health screenings, reflecting a whole-person approach to care. Chronic and behavioral health conditions can compound one another, making early identification and support important to improving overall health outcomes.

"Many people delay care due to cost, long wait times, transportation challenges, or difficulty finding the right provider," said Dr. Carol Koeble, senior medical director at Blue Shield of California, who provides clinical leadership for the Virtual Blue program. "Virtual Blue removes those barriers, making care more convenient, comfortable, and affordable. Earlier, more consistent access leads to better long-term outcomes."

For more information and our latest virtual care news, visit Virtual Blue.

About Blue Shield of California

Blue Shield of California strives to create a healthcare system worthy of its family and friends that is sustainably affordable. The health plan is a taxpaying, nonprofit, independent member of the Blue Shield Association with nearly 6 million members, 6,800 employees, and more than $28 billion in annual revenue. Founded in 1939 in San Francisco and now headquartered in Oakland, Blue Shield of California and its affiliates provide health, dental, vision, Medicaid, and Medicare healthcare service plans in California. The company has contributed more than $60 million to Blue Shield of California Foundation in the last three years to have an impact on California communities. For more news about Blue Shield of California, please visit news.blueshieldca.com. Or follow us on LinkedIn or Facebook. 

* Mid-size employer PPO members are defined as members enrolled through Blue Shield's Middle Markets segment, which serves fully insured employers with 101-3,000 employees. Individual and Family Plans with Virtual Blue starting in January 2027 are the Silver 1850 PPO, Silver 2800 HDHP PPO, and Bronze 7250 PPO, which can be purchased only through Blue Shield.

Data is based on the most recent available information, including member usage and satisfaction data from 2023 and 2024 analyzed by Blue Shield of California's Data Insights team and reviewed by Blue Shield's Actuarial team, as well as Accolade virtual care appointment data.

Contact: Mark Seelig
Blue Shield of California
415-607-2359
[email protected]

SOURCE Blue Shield of California