Small Business Medical plans

Medical coverage

Small business (1 to 100)

Broker resources

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Learn more about Blue Shield's Small Business medical coverage with the Plan Comparison Tool.

This interactive tool features our product portfolio (medical, dental, and vision) with a variety of resources at your fingertips. You can view a single plan, compare multiple plans side by side, or review a plan year-over-year.

Note: Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), all health plans offered in the small business market for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2014 – both on and off-exchange – are required to provide four standardized levels of coverage. These are also referred to as the metal levels: platinum, gold, silver, and bronze.

Blue Shield of California Off-Exchange Package for Small Business

Our flagship package features a range of healthcare options including PPO, HSA compatible HDHP*, and HMO plans. Not available for purchase on the Covered California for Small Business (CCSB) online marketplace, these plans can be purchased from Blue Shield through a broker. Customers can choose among any plans in the package, or select our PPO plans to offer alongside HMOs from another carrier. Plans from this package can be sold individually, but cannot be offered alongside plans from any other Blue Shield package.

Blue Shield of California Mirror Package for Small Business

The Mirror Package for Small Business offers your clients the opportunity to purchase the same plans that Blue Shield is offering through Covered California for Small Business (CCSB).

This package includes several HMO and PPO options and may be sold individually. These plans are also available for purchase on the Covered California for Small Business (CCSB) online marketplace. Plans from this package can be sold individually, but cannot be offered alongside plans from any other Blue Shield package.

Virtual BlueSM PPO Plans

Virtual BlueSM plans are designed for comprehensive, connected coverage that puts employees' needs first. Virtual BlueSM delivers with anytime virtual care, $0 virtual visits, and in-person care when preferred - driving value for businesses of all sizes. This plan is designed for people who prefer the convenience of 24/7 virtual care for most primary, specialty, and behavioral health visits, with access to in-person care. Virtual Blue plans are available within the Off-Exchange Package. Learn why Virtual Blue is the right solution for today's workforce.

Tandem PPO Plans

Tandem plans offers flexibility and choice, with the freedom of a comprehensive PPO, still giving access to high-performance providers. Discover why Tandem may be a great choice for your clients with our Tandem PPO interactive video. Tandem plans are available within the Off-Exchange Package.

Trio HMO Plans

With Trio, we've designed our programs to meet the needs of today's busy individuals and families while offering a highly personal service. With this Trio HMO interactive video, find reasons why Trio could be the right choice for your clients. Trio plans are available within both the Off-Exchange Package and Mirror Package. 

Understanding Our Networks

PPO Networks
  • Our Full PPO Network is among the largest in California and includes more than 80,000 physicians and over 380 hospitals (in-network).
  • Our Tandem PPO Network is a subset of our Full PPO Network, available statewide with 55,000 providers included and 350 hospitals. Tandem PPO plans provide the same plan benefits as the Full PPO plans at a lower price. Visit blueshieldca.com/Tandem to see what makes Tandem such a great choice. 
  • All Off-Exchange PPO plans offer the flexibility to visit a doctor or specialist with a referral. PPO members can also see non-network providers but may incur higher costs. 

Virtual BlueSM PPO Network
  • $0 virtual primary care, urgent care, and mental health therapy provided by virtual medical group PlushCare. 
  • $0 virtual specialty care for up to 20 types of specialty providers including psychiatry, psychology, dermatology and orthopedics provided by virtual medical group Telemed2U.
  • In-person network through the Blue Shield of California Tandem PPO network with access to 55,000 physicians in California and 350 of hospitals from the Full PPO network. 

HMO Networks
  • Access+ HMO plans give the members access to more than 44,000 doctors and 370 hospitals. 
  • Local Access+ HMO plans give the members access to more than 32,000 doctors and 330 hospitals. 
  • Trio HMO plans are available in 26 counties and gives members access to 17,000 doctors from the Access+ provider network. Trio HMO plans come with valuable bonus features not included with other HMO plans. Visit blueshield.com/aco to learn more about the Trio HMO features and coverage areas. 

Blue Shield of California Medicare and Medicaid Creditable Plans

All Blue Shield Small Business off-exchange plans contain creditable prescription drug coverage, except:

2022 plans 2023 plans 

Bronze Full PPO 5500/65 OffEx
​Bronze Tandem PPO 5500/65 OffEx
Bronze Full PPO 7500/65 OffEx
Bronze Tandem PPO 7500/65 OffEx
Bronze Trio HMO 7000/70

Bronze Trio HMO 7000/70 OffEx
Bronze Access+ HMO® 7000/70 OffEx
Bronze Local Access+ HMO 7000/70 OffEx
Bronze Full PPO 7500/65 OffEx
Bronze Tandem PPO 7500/65 OffEx

Find more information about creditable vs. non-creditable coverage»

* Although most consumers who enroll in an HDHP are eligible to open an HSA, members should consult with a financial adviser to determine if an HSA/HDHP is a good financial fit for them. Blue Shield does not offer tax advice or HSAs. HSAs are offered through financial institutions. For more information about HSAs, eligibility and the law’s current provisions, consumers should ask their financial or tax adviser. HSA plan features may vary by institution and may be subject to change by those institutions.

Contact Us

  • Producer Services (800) 559-5905

    Employer Services (800) 325-5166

  • Blue Shield of California

    PO Box 272540

    Chico, CA 95927-2540

© California Physicians’ Service DBA Blue Shield of California 1999-. All rights reserved. California Physicians’ Service DBA Blue Shield of California is an independent member of the Blue Shield Association.

Health insurance products are offered by Blue Shield of California Life & Health Insurance Company. Health plans are offered by Blue Shield of California.