Take advantage of these valuable programs and resources to manage your health and financial well-being.
Teladoc (for Blue Shield members)
Teladoc is here for you when you need care and can’t get to your doctor. You can connect you with a board certified doctor via video chat or phone, without leaving your home or office. The cost of a phone or online visit is the same or less than with your primary care provider. You can get the care you need, including prescriptions when appropriate, for a wide range of minor conditions.
Kaiser Permanente HMO
Schedule an appointment with your doctor, meet with a specialist, or have an on-demand video visit with an on-call physician. Ask your doctor about availability.
Using in-network providers saves you money. Here’s how to find doctors in your medical plan network.
Blue Shield Medical Plans
- Visit the Blue Shield website.
- Click “Provider Directory” and follow the prompts.
Kaiser Permanente HMO
- Visit the Kaiser Permanente website.
- Click “Doctors & Locations” and follow the prompts.
Don’t have a personal doctor? You should. Here’s why.
- Better health. Getting the right health screenings each year can reduce your risk for many serious conditions. Preventive care is free, so there’s no excuse to skip it.
- A healthier wallet. Having a doctor you can call helps you avoid costly trips to the emergency room and decide when you really need to see a specialist.
- Peace of mind. Advice from someone you trust ... it means a lot when you’re healthy, but it’s even more important when you’re sick. Your personal doctor gets to know you and your health history and can help coordinate any care you need.
When you think about the financial impact of your health care choices, you can help lower costs for yourself and the entire company. Get the most from your medical benefits by following these tips to be well and buy smart:
Use in-network providers
They’ve agreed to charge negotiated rates and bill your insurance company directly, saving you money and time. If you’re enrolled in the Blue Shield $aver/HSA plan or Blue Shield Super $aver/HSA plan, check out the network provider infographic. Note: If you enroll in an HMO plan (if available in your area), the plan only pays benefits for care received in network.
Keep up with preventive care
It’s covered in full by all of our medical plans and can help detect and prevent potentially costly health issues early. You pay nothing for annual physicals, recommended immunizations, routine cancer screenings, and more when you see in-network providers.
Pay for eligible expenses tax-free
Contributing to a Health Savings Account (HSA) and/or a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is easy and saves you money. You can set aside pre-tax dollars from your paycheck to use for your out-of-pocket costs. Keep in mind that with an FSA, the money in your FSA does not carry over to the next plan year; you must “use it or lose it.”
Shop smart for prescriptions
Using generic alternatives will almost always save you money — and they’re just as effective as brand-name prescriptions. Also, try calling a few local pharmacies to compare prices before deciding where to fill a prescription. For your ongoing prescriptions, use the home-delivery service to save money and time.
Register for My Health
It offers valuable resources to help you improve your health, which could prevent the need for costly care. Plus, you’ll earn rewards when you participate in well-being activities!
Choose the right place to get care
Facilities charge different amounts for the same services, so think about your options when you or a family member needs medical attention.
Check out the video below to help choose the most appropriate care for your situation and save money.
| Telemedicine | Doctor’s office | Urgent care clinic | Emergency room |
|---|---|---|---|
| Use it for | |||
| A common, non-emergency medical issue that can be diagnosed by phone or online | A condition that doesn’t need immediate attention and can wait until the next day | A condition that needs immediate care but is not life- or limb-threatening | A life-threatening or potentially crippling condition that needs immediate attention |
| Examples | |||
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| Cost | |||
| You pay: $ | You pay: $ | You pay: $$ | You pay: $$$ |
| Find it | |||
| Your options depend on the plan in which you are enrolled | Call your regular doctor or search for an in-network provider on your medical plan carrier’s website | Search for urgent care clinics near you at urgentcarelocations.com | Call 911 or search online for the nearest hospital |
Visit your medical plan website
You can find a doctor, compare costs, manage claims, and more.