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Blue Shield of California Health Insurance Through Covered California

California's Trusted Health Plan Since 1939

85+ Years

Serving California

4.5M Members

Trust Blue Shield

Nonprofit

Mission-driven

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Why Choose Blue Shield of California?

As a nonprofit health plan founded in California, Blue Shield has been dedicated to ensuring Californians have access to high-quality, affordable healthcare for over 85 years.

California Heritage

Founded in California in 1939, Blue Shield understands the unique healthcare needs of Californians. As a nonprofit organization, they're focused on their mission rather than profits.

Provider Choice & Flexibility

Choose from PPO, HMO, and Trio HMO plans. PPO plans offer maximum flexibility to see specialists without referrals, while HMO plans provide affordable, coordinated care.

Nationwide Blue Card Access

Through the BlueCard program, access care at Blue Cross Blue Shield providers nationwide—essential for travelers, students, or anyone with family in other states.

Wellvolution Wellness Programs

Access comprehensive wellness programs including weight management, stress reduction, tobacco cessation, and chronic condition management—all at no extra cost.

Digital Health Tools

Manage your health with the Blue Shield app—find doctors, compare costs, view claims, access your digital ID card, and use Telehealth for 24/7 virtual care.

Quality Recognition

Consistently receives high ratings from NCQA for clinical quality and member satisfaction. Recognized nationally for innovative healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.

Blue Shield Plans Available Through Covered California

Blue Shield offers a comprehensive range of plans including PPO, HMO, and Trio HMO options across all metal tiers. Each plan type provides different levels of flexibility and cost-sharing to match your healthcare preferences.

Trio HMO: Blue Shield's Trio HMO combines the affordability of traditional HMO with enhanced access to top-rated medical groups and hospitals.

Metal Tier	Coverage Level	Best For	Available Plan Types
Bronze	60% coverage	Low monthly premiums, emergency protection	HMO, PPO, Trio
Silver	70% coverage	Best value, CSR eligible, balanced costs	HMO, PPO, Trio
Gold	80% coverage	Frequent healthcare needs, lower copays	HMO, PPO, Trio
Platinum	90% coverage	Maximum coverage, predictable costs	HMO, PPO

All Blue Shield plans include:

Comprehensive essential health benefits
Preventive care services at no cost
Prescription drug coverage (generics and brand-name)
Mental health and substance use disorder services
Maternity and newborn care
Pediatric services including dental and vision
No lifetime or annual dollar limits
Coverage for pre-existing conditions

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Blue Shield's Provider Network

Blue Shield contracts with an extensive network of high-quality providers, medical groups, and hospitals throughout California.

70,000+

Doctors & Specialists

350+

Hospitals

CA Counties

Featured Provider Systems:

Bay Area: Sutter Health, Stanford Health Care, UCSF Medical Center, John Muir Health, Kaiser Permanente
Los Angeles: Cedars-Sinai, UCLA Health, USC Medical Center, Providence Health, Dignity Health
San Diego: Scripps Health, UC San Diego Health, Sharp HealthCare
Central Valley: UC Davis Medical Center, Community Medical Centers, Adventist Health
Inland Empire: Loma Linda University Health, Kaiser Permanente, Riverside Health System

BlueCard Program: Access care at over 90% of doctors and 96% of hospitals nationwide through the Blue Cross Blue Shield network.

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Member Benefits & Wellness Programs

Blue Shield provides comprehensive tools, programs, and services to help you live healthier and get the most value from your coverage.

Blue Shield Mobile App

Access digital member ID card
Find doctors and compare quality scores
Estimate treatment costs before you go
View claims and explanation of benefits
Track deductibles and out-of-pocket maximum
Refill prescriptions and find pharmacies

Telehealth Services

24/7 access to doctors via phone or video
Treatment for common illnesses and injuries
Mental health counseling sessions
Dermatology consultations
Prescriptions sent to your pharmacy
Lower copays than in-person visits

Wellvolution Programs

Personalized wellness coaching
Weight management programs
Tobacco cessation support
Stress reduction and mindfulness
Fitness program discounts
Chronic condition management

Prescription Coverage

Extensive retail pharmacy network
Mail-order pharmacy for 90-day supplies
Generic drug savings programs
Specialty pharmacy for complex medications
Prescription price comparison tool
Step therapy programs for cost savings

How to Enroll in Blue Shield of California

Get a Free Quote

Use our calculator to see Blue Shield plan options, compare costs across metal tiers and plan types, and check if you qualify for financial assistance.

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Compare Plan Options

Review Blue Shield's PPO, HMO, and Trio HMO plans. Consider provider networks, prescription coverage, monthly premiums, and out-of-pocket costs.

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Enroll During Open Enrollment

Apply during the annual Open Enrollment Period (November 1 - January 31) or during a Special Enrollment Period if you have a qualifying life event.

Select Your Providers

For HMO plans, choose a primary care doctor. PPO plans allow you to see any in-network provider without referrals, giving you maximum flexibility.

Lowest Premiums, Zero Broker Fees

When you enroll through CoverHealthCA.com, you get the same Blue Shield rates as buying directly—often lower—with zero broker fees. Our licensed agents provide free expert guidance at no cost to you.

Need Help Choosing?

Our certified enrollment counselors can help you understand Blue Shield's plan options, answer questions, and assist with your application at no charge.

Get Free Enrollment Help

Frequently Asked Questions

PPO plans offer the most flexibility—see any doctor without referrals and have out-of-network coverage at higher costs. HMO plans have lower premiums and require choosing a primary care doctor who coordinates care and provides specialist referrals. Trio HMO is Blue Shield's premium HMO option with access to top-rated medical groups and hospitals, combining affordability with high-quality provider networks.

Yes! Blue Shield participates in the BlueCard program, giving you access to Blue Cross Blue Shield providers nationwide. Emergency and urgent care is covered anywhere in the US. For routine care when traveling, you can use any Blue Cross Blue Shield provider. This is especially valuable if you travel frequently or have family in other states.

Yes, Blue Shield of California is a nonprofit health plan. Unlike for-profit insurance companies, Blue Shield's mission is to ensure all Californians have access to high-quality, affordable healthcare. This means they reinvest surplus revenue into improving member benefits, expanding networks, and enhancing healthcare access rather than distributing profits to shareholders.

Costs vary by age, location, household size and income, plan tier (Bronze through Platinum), and plan type (PPO vs HMO). Most Californians qualify for premium tax credits that significantly reduce monthly premiums. PPO plans typically cost more than HMO plans due to added flexibility. Use our subsidy calculator to see your actual out-of-pocket costs after financial assistance.

Wellvolution is Blue Shield's comprehensive wellness platform offering personalized health coaching, weight management programs, tobacco cessation support, stress reduction techniques, and chronic condition management—all at no additional cost to members. The program focuses on preventive care and helping members achieve their health goals through lifestyle changes and ongoing support.

Yes, all Blue Shield Covered California plans include telehealth services. You can access doctors 24/7 via phone or video for urgent care, common illnesses, mental health counseling, and dermatology consultations. Telehealth visits typically have lower copays than in-person visits, and prescriptions can be sent directly to your pharmacy.

Ready to Enroll in Blue Shield of California?

Get started with a free quote, compare plans, or speak with a certified enrollment counselor today.

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