Blue Shield of California is expanding its virtual care program, Virtual Blue, in January 2027, with total enrollment in plans containing the benefit to increase from 150,000 to more than 410,000 members.
This boost includes 200,000 mid-size employer PPO members — enrolled through fully insured organizations with 101 to 3,000 employees — and 60,000 individual and family plan members.
In partnership with TeleMed2U and Accolade, which has since been acquired by Transcarent, Virtual Blue kicked off in 2023. The program offers virtual visits — including primary, urgent, behavioral health and specialist care — with no out-of-pocket costs. The benefit also provides support from a health coach to manage care.
A Sept. 17 news release said the availability of same- or next-day primary care appointments through Virtual Blue is substantially faster than the state’s average 10-day wait for in-person care. The program also saved employers an average of $468 per member annually and reduced emergency room visits by more than 10%.
“Many people delay care due to cost, long wait times, transportation challenges or difficulty finding the right provider,” Blue Shield of California Senior Medical Director Carol Koeble, MD, said. “Virtual Blue removes those barriers, making care more convenient, comfortable and affordable. Earlier, more consistent access leads to better long-term outcomes.”
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