Enjoy a monthly  allowance  with the Blue Shield Healthy Grocery benefit.

The Healthy Grocery Special Supplemental Benefit for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI) is available to Blue Shield Balance (HMO) and Blue Shield Inspire (HMO D-SNP) members with select conditions.

Members may qualify for the Healthy Grocery SSBCI benefit if they have one or more of the following plan-specific chronic conditions:

Blue Shield Balance (HMO)

  • Cardiovascular disorders limited to:

    • Cardiac arrhythmias (also known as abnormal heart rhythm)
    • Coronary artery disease (also known as history of chest pains, heart attacks, or hardening of the arteries of the heart)
    • Peripheral vascular disease (also known as hardening of the arteries of the legs)
    • Chronic venous thromboembolic disorder (also known as blood clots in the legs)
       

  • Diabetes mellitus (also known as Diabetes Type I or Type II)

  • Autoimmune disorders limited to:

    • Polyarteritis nodosa
    • Polymyalgia rheumatica
    • Polymyositis
    • Rheumatoid arthritis
    • Systemic lupus erythematosus 
       

Blue Shield Inspire (HMO D-SNP)

  • End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) requiring dialysis (Also known as End Stage Kidney Disease requiring dialysis)

  • Diabetes mellitus (Also known as Diabetes Type I or Type II)

  • Chronic Heart Failure (also known as congestive heart failure)


Qualifying members will receive a benefit card that’s automatically loaded with an  allowance each month.   Eligible Blue Shield Balance (HMO) members will receive a monthly allowance of $25.  Eligible Blue Shield Inspire (HMO D-SNP) members will receive a monthly allowance of $50. Members can use the card to buy specific healthy grocery items in person or online from participating retailers.  Please note this balance does not roll over from month to month.

What can I buy with the allowance?

Foods you can buy include:

  • Fruit and vegetables (canned, frozen, and fresh)
  • Frozen meals
  • Fresh salad kits
  • Dairy products
  • Meat and seafood
  • Beans and legumes
  • Pantry staples (flour, sugar, spices, etc.)
  • Healthy grains (bread, cereals, pastas, etc.)
  • Soups
  • Nutritional shakes and bars  
  • Water (including flavored water)
     

Where can I use the allowance?

Several major retailers are taking part in this program. They vary by plan and area.

County Retailers
Los Angeles County – Blue Shield Balance (HMO) Walmart
Ralphs
Ralphs Fresh Fare
Albertsons
Food 4 Less
Pavilions
Vons
CVS (excluding those in Target stores)
Walgreens
Fresno County – Blue Shield Inspire (HMO D-SNP) Walmart
Albertsons
FoodsCo
CVS (excluding those in Target stores)
Walgreens
Merced County – Blue Shield Inspire (HMO D-SNP) Walmart
CVS (excluding those in Target stores)
Walgreens
San Joaquin County Blue Shield Inspire (HMO D-SNP) Walmart
Albertsons companies
CVS (excluding those in Target stores)
Walgreens
Stanislaus County – Blue Shield Inspire (HMO D-SNP) Walmart
Albertsons companies
CVS (excluding those in Target stores)
Walgreens

 

How to get started

To be eligible for the benefit, you must have one or more select chronic conditions. Please refer to the SSBCI attestation form for your specific plan below for more details.

Complete and submit the form to us, and – as long as you qualify – you’ll receive a letter with more details on how to get started.    

Need more help?

For questions on eligibility requirements, please contact Blue Shield Customer Care at one of the numbers below.

Blue Shield Balance (HMO):  (888) 802-4423 (TTY: 711), 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week.

Blue Shield Inspire (HMO D-SNP): (800) 452-4413 (TTY: 711), 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week.