Your pediatric dental and vision coverage

The pediatric dental and vision benefits included in your medical plan are available to dependents up to age 19. Once a dependent turns 19, they are no longer eligible for pediatric coverage.

Here are steps you can take to make the most of your pediatric benefits:

1. Get your ID card

Have a medical PPO plan?

Then you can use your medical ID card for your pediatric dental coverage. There are no separate ID cards for pediatric dental PPO or vision benefits.

If you’re a new Blue Shield member, we will send you your medical member ID card(s) in the mail within 10 days after your initial payment has been applied and your enrollment is activated. It will list the subscriber’s name, member ID, group number and plan type, and can be used by all members covered under your plan.

If you haven’t received your ID card yet:

• And you signed up for your medical PPO plan through Covered California, call (855) 836-9705.
• And you signed up directly through Blue Shield, call (888) 256-3650.

Have a medical Trio HMO plan?

Members with a medical Trio HMO plan will receive a separate ID card for their pediatric dental HMO benefits. There will be one ID card for each eligible member. You should receive your separate pediatric dental HMO ID card(s) shortly after receiving your medical plan ID card.

If you have not received your separate dental ID card:

• And you signed up for your medical plan through Covered California, call (800) 286-7401.
• And you signed up directly through Blue Shield, call (888) 271-4880.

Make sure to keep your card(s) handy, so your information is easily accessible when you visit a provider.
 

2. Register for online accounts

Once you receive your ID card, use your member medical ID number to register for a blueshieldca.com account. Then log in, and you will see your account, where you can find a provider in your plan’s network and view your medical benefits, deductibles and copayment information.

To view your pediatric dental claims, register for online access with our dental benefits partner at yourdentalplan.com/bsca.

To view your pediatric vision claims, register for online access with our vision benefits partner at blueshieldcavision.com.
 

3. Find a dental or vision care provider

Dental PPO

If you have a PPO medical plan, you have the flexibility to see any dentist or specialist you choose. Just remember you will save money when you select providers in your plan’s network.

Dental HMO

With a dental HMO plan, you are only covered for services provided by a dentist or specialist in network. Receiving care from a non-network provider is not covered, and you will be responsible for paying for all billed charges. If you have a HMO medical plan, please schedule your appointment with a doctor in the appropriate dental network associated with your plan to make sure your services are covered:

• If you have a Platinum, Gold or Bronze medical Trio HMO plan, use the Dental HMO network. 
• If you have a Silver medical Trio HMO plan, use the Dental PPO network (network coverage only).

For a simpler search, log in at blueshieldca.com and select Dentists. Otherwise, follow these steps to find dentists in your plan’s network*:
 

How to find a network dental provider

1. Go to our Find a Doctor tool.
2. Click Dentists under “What are you looking for?”
3. Enter your zip code and click Continue.
4. Under “Do you already have a plan in mind?”, click yes.
5. In the Find your plan window, click on the drop-down arrow to choose your plan type.
6. Choose the plan type (HMO or PPO) that matches your medical plan:
   • If you have a medical PPO plan, select Dental PPO (Individual Plans)
   • If you have any Silver-level medical Trio HMO plan, select Dental PPO (Individual Plans), as this is network coverage only.
   • If you have a medical Trio HMO plan at any metal tier level other than Silver (e.g., Platinum or Gold HMO), select Dental HMO Plans (Individual/Family or Group plans).
7. Once you have selected your plan, click Continue with this plan.
8. Selecting your dental plan is required in order to find a network dentist. The selected dental network plan will display under “Search Dentists,” and you can begin your search. You can search by dentist type or dentist name. You can also filter your results.

How to find a network vision provider

For vision care, you have access to a PPO vision network, so you can see any provider you choose. In the case of vision care providers, you may pay less if you visit a wholesale or warehouse provider. You also have access to popular retail locations.

1. Go to our Find a Doctor tool
2. Click Vision care under “What are you looking for?”
3. Enter your zip code and click Continue.
4. Under "Do you already have a plan in mine?", click yes
5. In the Find your plan window, click on the drop-down arrow to choose your plan type.
6. From the drop-down “Choose Plan Type," choose Vision Plans (Individual/Family or Group plans), then click Continue with this plan.
7. Selecting your vision care plan is required in order to find a network provider. The selected vision network plan will display under “Search Vision Care,” and you can begin your search. You can search by specialty. You can also filter your results.

*The search results will list providers that are participating in the plan you selected. We make every effort to ensure that our list of providers is current and accurate. However, because providers leave networks from time to time, these lists are subject to change, and you are encouraged to check with the provider before using their services.