Blue Shield of California to Double Virtual Blue Program Enrollment in 2027
Blue Shield of California has announced plans to significantly expand its Virtual Blue program, aiming to double its enrollment in 2027. Starting in January 2027, this virtual-first health benefit will be included in fully insured preferred provider organization (PPO) plans for employers with 101 to 3,000 employees, as well as for certain individual and family plans. This expansion is projected to add an additional 200,000 mid-size employer PPO members and 60,000 individual and family plan members, bringing the total enrollment to over 410,000 participants. The Virtual Blue program, launched in 2023 in collaboration with Accolade and TeleMed2U, currently serves more than 150,000 members. It provides access to a range of virtual health services at no additional cost, alongside care from providers within Blue Shield’s PPO network. The decision to expand is driven by positive member feedback and data indicating a 7% to 10% lower overall cost of care and a more than 10% reduction in emergency room visits among...
