What health care options are part of my plan?
Choose from a quality network of healthcare providers with coverage from Blue Shield of California.
Here’s how to find care when you need it, where you need it.1
Your primary care physician (PCP) is the best place to start when you need care. Your PCP can treat common medical conditions. They can provide preventive care, annual physical or wellness visits. They can also provide referrals to a specialist if needed. For HMO members, a referral from your PCP is required for most specialist services.
From cardiology to gynecology, you have access to a wide range of medical specialists. Use our Find a doctor tool to find a specialist to help you with your specific healthcare needs.
HMO members
You need a referral from your primary doctor before seeing most specialists. Check your Evidence of Coverage/Member Handbook or Certificate of Insurance for details.
PPO members
You do not need a referral to see a specialist.
From therapy to self-guided help, you have access to a range of behavioral health providers. If you're struggling, we're here to support you.
If you’re in crisis or have suicidal thoughts, seek help right away. Please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. You can call, text, or chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
Standards for Timely Access to Care
You are entitled to timely access to care. We ask providers to meet these wait time standards.
Telehealth1,5
Telehealth and virtual options let you speak to range of providers, from specialists to some primary care doctors via phone or video. Virtual care usually works best for non-emergency concerns. For example: respiratory infections, cold and flu, allergies, and joint pain. Check with your doctor to see if they offer virtual visits.
NurseHelp 24/7SM or Nurse Advice Line
Speak with a registered nurse, anytime at no extra cost. They can give you advice on how to treat minor illnesses and injuries at home. They can also help you decide if you should see a doctor for treatment.2
Teladoc Health3
Speak to board-certified, licensed doctors 24/7 in all 50 U.S. states. Connect to doctors over the phone or video. They treat non-emergency medical issues and may prescribe medications.
Urgent care centers
Access walk-in, non-emergency care when your PCP is not available. Available to all members.
Ambulatory surgery centers
ASCs, also known as outpatient surgery centers, are facilities that perform procedures normally done in a hospital setting. They focus on same day surgeries that don’t need an overnight stay. ASCs can be used for a range of procedures. This includes general surgery, urology, neurology, and more. Check with your primary doctor for a referral.
CVS MinuteClinic for PPO members1
CVS MinuteClinics® provide walk-in health care at CVS retail locations. These are for non-emergency conditions and immunizations. This service is available to PPO members only. It has the same cost as an office visit after your deductible has been met.
Emergency room
For serious, life-threatening conditions or disabling conditions or injuries, such as trauma, stroke, or heart attack, always go straight to the emergency room or call 911. This is available to all members.
Get covered services or urgent and emergency care while traveling outside of California in the United States or abroad.
HMO, EPO, and Individual and Family Plan PPO members:
Coverage for emergency and urgent care services only.
If in the United States:
Call (800) 810-BLUE or visit provider.bcbs.com
If overseas:
Call (804) 673-1177 or visit bcbsglobalcore.com
Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Solutions offers international health plans specially designed for worldwide travel.
Get a quote from Blue Cross Blue Shield Global SolutionsSM
1 Some of the services listed above may not be covered by your medical plan. For more information and complete details on benefits, covered services, or exclusions, please refer to your Evidence of Coverage (EOC) or Certificate of Insurance (COI) or call the customer service number on your Blue Shield member ID card.
2 NurseHelp 24/7 is a service mark of Blue Shield of California. NurseHelp 24/7 and Nurse Advice Line are healthcare advice lines. Nurses do not provide medical services for treatment or diagnosis.
3 Teladoc Health does not replace the primary care provider. Teladoc Health does not guarantee that a prescription will be written. Teladoc Health operates subject to state regulation and may not be available in certain states. Teladoc Health does not prescribe DEA-controlled substances, non-therapeutic drugs, and certain other drugs which may be harmful because of their potential for abuse. Teladoc Health physicians reserve the right to deny care for potential misuse of services.
4 If you need to visit an urgent care center and you are in your Medical Group Service Area, go to the urgent care center designated by your Medical Group or call your PCP. Call your doctor's office or dedicated Blue Shield Member Services representative, to help you find the closest affiliated urgent care center you can visit. The Blue Shield Member Services phone number can be found on the back of your Blue Shield member ID card. If you seek care at an urgent care center that is not affiliated with your doctor’s medical group or Independent Practice Association (IPA), your HMO plan may not cover the services you receive, so be sure to get an authorization from your doctor's office before seeking care. Please refer to your Evidence of Coverage for more information on obtaining urgent care and associated cost shares.
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5 You may receive services from 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.
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The company complies with applicable state laws and federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate, exclude people, or treat them differently on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic group identification, medical condition, genetic information, ancestry, religion, sex, marital status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, mental disability, or physical disability. La compañía cumple con las leyes de derechos civiles federales y estatales aplicables, y no discrimina, ni excluye ni trata de manera diferente a las personas por su raza, color, país de origen, identificación con determinado grupo étnico, condición médica, información genética, ascendencia, religión, sexo, estado civil, género, identidad de género, orientación sexual, edad, ni discapacidad física ni mental. 本公司遵守適用的州法律和聯邦民權法律，並且不會以種族、膚色、原國籍、族群認同、醫療狀況、遺傳資訊、血統、宗教、性別、婚姻狀況、性別認同、性取向、年齡、精神殘疾或身體殘疾而進行歧視、排斥或區別對待他人。
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Page last updated: 9/4/2026