Understanding our networks

Small Business (1-100)

Off-Exchange plans

Our flagship package, featuring a range of healthcare options including PPO, HSA compatible HDHP, and HMO plans. Not available for purchase on 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 HMO’s from another carrier. Plans from this package can be sold individually, but cannot be offered alongside plans from any other Blue Shield package.

Mirror plans

This package includes several HMO and PPO options that can be purchased from Blue Shield through a broker. Plans from this package may be sold individually. These plans are also available for purchase on 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.

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.

HSA-compatible high-deductible health plans (HDHP)

• Many small businesses opt for high-deductible PPO plan coverage for their employees. Deductibles are higher, but monthly rates are lower, and the plans come with an option of opening a health savings account (HSA) to help pay for qualified medical expenses.
• Our HSA-compatible plans are offered on both the Full PPO network and Tandem PPO network.

HMO networks

Our eight off-exchange HMO plans for small business are each available with one of three HMO provider network options: Access+ HMO, Local Access+ HMO, or Trio HMO. Plan designs are identical, and all specialties and levels of care are included.

• Access+ HMO plans give members access to more than 44,000 doctors and 370 hospitals.^*
• Local Access+ HMO plans give members access to more than 32,000 doctors and 330 hospitals.^t
• 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 blueshieldca.com/aco to learn more about Trio HMO features and coverage areas. 

You may offer Trio HMO plans alongside Access+ or Local Access+ plans, but Access+ cannot be offered alongside Local Access+. A business must be located in the plan’s service area to offer an Access+ HMO, Local Access+ HMO, or Trio HMO plan, and eligible employees must live or work in the service area.

Learn more about Blue Shield's Small Group 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.

Looking for a specific doctor? 

Use our Find a Doctor tool to search for doctors in your network.

^* The Access+ HMO network is subject to change without notice. For a complete up-to-date list of hospitals available in the Access+ HMO network, please use Blue Shield's Find a Doctor tool at blueshieldca.com/networkHMO.
^† The Local Access+ HMO network is subject to change without notice. For a complete up-to-date list of hospitals available in the Local Access+ HMO network, please use Blue Shield's Find a Doctor tool at blueshieldca.com/networklocalaccess.
^‡ The Trio network is subject to change without notice. For a complete up-to-date list of hospitals available in the Trio network, please use Blue Shield's Find a Doctor tool at blueshieldca.com/networktrioHMO.