Accessing virtual care with a Trio HMO health plan

A virtual visit can be a convenient way to access care. With a Trio HMO health plan, you’ll select one primary care physician, or PCP. When you do this, you have the option to choose a virtual PCP as your doctor through Accolade Care.* Having a virtual PCP who offers convenient virtual visits is helpful if you have a busy lifestyle or live in a rural area and want to skip the trip to a doctor’s office. When needed, a virtual PCP can also provide a referral for in-person care.

Trio HMO plans are available directly through Blue Shield of California or on the Covered California health plan marketplace. Here is a closer look at virtual care as a Trio HMO plan member:

Choosing a virtual PCP

When a Trio HMO member chooses a virtual PCP, they can take advantage of convenient virtual visits for personalized care. Please note that depending on your plan, a virtual PCP may be assigned to you if you do not select a PCP. For members under 18, an in-person PCP is automatically assigned when no PCP is selected.

You can request a change to a different PCP at any time. Log in to your online member account and click the “Change PCP” button in the right panel and follow the prompts. Or look for a new PCP by using our Find a doctor tool. Don’t forget to check if the provider is “accepting new patients.” After the PCP change is approved, it becomes effective on the first day of the following month.

If you’d like to request an immediate switch from a virtual PCP to an in-person PCP, call Shield Concierge at the number on your Blue Shield member ID card.

Schedule a convenient virtual visit, often same day

Across the country, people wait an average of 20 days to see a family medicine physician, according to a survey from Merritt Hawkins and AMN Healthcare. As a Trio HMO plan member with an Accolade Care virtual PCP, you can book a convenient same-day virtual visit, when available. And it’s easy to schedule a virtual visit by logging in to your online member account or using the Blue Shield app.

See specialists

As a Trio HMO plan member with an Accolade Care virtual PCP, you have access to a wide range of board-certified virtual specialists, including mental health providers, in addition to the in-person specialists in the Trio HMO network. Your virtual PCP will provide the necessary referral to see other providers as needed.  

With your PCP in the lead, the Accolade Care team will work with you and the other providers to coordinate your care, including sharing lab test results, identifying health and wellness needs, and treatment planning.

You always have a helping hand

Trio HMO plans include access to Shield Concierge. This is your team of customer service representatives and certified health experts, like registered nurses, health coaches, pharmacists, and social workers. Call the Shield Concierge number on your Blue Shield member ID card for support with:

• Understanding your benefits and claims
• Finding a new doctor or specialist
• Managing chronic conditions, like diabetes and high blood pressure
• Accessing mental health referrals
• Transferring medical records and prescriptions

Take charge of your health by accessing convenient virtual care options. If you are a new Trio HMO plan member, get started with your plan today. Thinking of switching to a Trio HMO plan? Read more about plan benefits.

^{* Accolade Care is the d/b/a of PlushCare of California P.C., a subsidiary of Accolade Inc. Neither Accolade nor the associated medical practices are emergency medical services. Dial 911 if you are experiencing a medical emergency. ©2025 Accolade Inc. All rights reserved. All product names, logos, and brands are the property of their respective owners.}

^{Accolade, Inc. is independent of Blue Shield of California and is contracted by Blue Shield to provide an integrated member experience, offering access to virtual primary care, mental health services, and support for virtual specialist care services through the Accolade CareTM solution.}

^{Blue Shield of California does not provide medical advice. This information is for informational purposes only.}

^{For Blue Shield members: 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.}