2027 OPEN ENROLLMENT: CHOOSE WITH CONFIDENCE

Open enrollment is your time to review your current coverage and make changes for the year ahead. We’ve updated our Individual and Family Plan (IFP) offerings to better fit your care needs – virtually, in person, or on the go.

Timing tip

Open enrollment runs from November 1, 2026, to January 31, 2027. Your new policy goes into effect on January 1, 2027.

What’s the benefit of virtual care?

All Blue Shield of California IFP medical plans include access to in-person and virtual care. Virtual care, also called telehealth, gives you another way to get help when you need it – often faster, from home, and at $0 copay depending on the benefit.

New for 2027: The Virtual BlueSM program benefit at $0 copay with select PPO plans

Starting January 2027, select PPO plans will include the Virtual BlueSM benefit which offers virtual primary care, mental health, and specialist care with $0 copay and you do not have to meet your deductible before your benefits start. They also give you nationwide access to in-person and virtual care with no referrals needed. 

These plans include the Virtual BlueSM benefit with a $0 copay:

  • Silver 1850 PPO
  • Silver 2800 HDHP PPO
  • New: Bronze 7250 PPO
Is this plan right for you?

With these plans, you can see both in-person and virtual providers. You'll have:

  • Access to ongoing virtual care with the same provider*
  • 24/7 access to virtual care at no extra cost
  • A virtual care team that coordinates with the doctors you see in person
  • Convenient, coordinated virtual care that complements your in-person care
What’s also included in these PPO plans?

In addition to prescription drug benefits, covered preventive care, and more,† these plans include:

  • Access to 24/7 virtual care – same day appointments often available
  • Out-of-state medical coverage for routine and specialist care as well as urgent and emergency care when traveling or living outside of California through the BlueCard® Program‡
What virtual options are available for Trio HMO plans?

Trio HMO plans offer care coordinated by a primary care physician (PCP). If you choose a virtual PCP, your care will go through a virtual medical group that can shift to in-person care as needed. If you don’t choose an in-person PCP when you enroll, a virtual PCP will be assigned to you.


Why choose a virtual PCP

A visit to your virtual PCP has the same copay as an in-person visit, and it may be easier to get care on your schedule. Your virtual PCP:

  • Coordinates your care with a dedicated virtual care team
  • Requests labs and prescribes medications, as needed
  • Refers you to specialists – virtual or in person – when needed


Trio HMO members who have an assigned virtual PCP: Virtual care is provided by Accolade Care and is only available for members ages 18 and older. Your virtual provider may refer you to in-person or virtual specialist, depending on your needs and preferences. For Trio HMO plan members, a referral from your virtual PCP is required to see virtual and in-person specialists.

Are other telehealth options available for IFP plans?

All plans offer Teladoc Health, which works well for non-emergency virtual care at $0 copay. It provides:

  • 24/7 access to physicians, including pediatricians and family doctors
  • Help for conditions like cold and flu symptoms, allergies, or sinus problems
  • Mental health support
  • Advice on what type of care to get next
  • On-demand visits (1 hour or less response time) or appointments made in advance
Review your care options before open enrollment ends

 

Log in to compare plans and choose the coverage that best fits your care needs for 2027.

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Virtual BlueSM is a service mark of Blue Shield of California.

Virtual services from Virtual BlueSM providers have no copays prior to meeting the medical 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.

*Subject to availability

†View the Evidence of Coverage, for additional details.

‡The BlueCard Program enables plan members to access providers for care outside of California in another BlueCard service area and either receive covered benefits (medical) or limited coverage, depending on the plan. Limited coverage means coverage only for urgent care, emergency care, and follow-up urgent and emergency care. Refer to the Evidence of Coverage for more information.

Note that through the BlueCard Program, members of the PPO plans listed above receive covered benefits (medical), while all other IFP Blue Shield PPO and Trio HMO plans only receive limited coverage out of state.