Plan updates

New for 2026

Beginning January 1, 2026

You will have a new Blue Shield of California Group Medicare Advantage Plan that includes prescription drug coverage. The Blue Shield Medicare (PPO) plan will replace your current retiree plan. This plan offers coverage for hospital and medical services, and Part D prescription drug coverage – all included in one plan.

Dedicated Customer Service

Blue Shield provides one easy-to-use Customer Service phone number for both your medical and pharmacy benefits. You can contact them at (800) 370-8852 (TTY:711), 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. PT, seven days a week.

New ID card

A new single Blue Shield ID card to be used whenever you get services covered by your plan, prescription drugs at network pharmacies, or supplemental benefits such as vision.

Vision benefits

The Blue Shield Medicare (PPO) plan covers an annual routine eye exam. The copayment is $15 per exam. To use this benefit, you will need to show your Blue Shield Member ID card to your vision care provider. Learn more about these benefits in the plan’s Summary of Benefits.

You also have coverage through the SFHSS vision plan.

New benefits for 2026

Acupuncture Services

accordion-card-list

Acupuncture for chronic low back pain
$15 copay/visit for all Medicare-covered services

Routine (non-Medicare covered)

$15 copay/visit
Limited to 24 in and out-of-network visits combined per year

Chiropractic Services

accordion-card-list

Chiropractic services (Medicare-covered)

$15 copay/visit for Medicare-covered services

Routine (non-Medicare covered)

$15 copay/visit
Limited to 24 in and out-of-network visits combined annually

Transportation services (non-Medicare covered)

accordion-card-list

$0 copay each one-way trip to plan-approved health-related locations
Limited to 24 in and out-of-network trips combined annually
Each trip may not exceed 70 miles

Nutritional therapy services- Routine

accordion-card-list

$15 copay/visit
Limited to 4 visits in and out-of-network visits combined annually

Partial hospitalization services and intensive outpatient services (mental health)

accordion-card-list

$55 copay/visit

Radiation therapy

accordion-card-list

$25 copay for therapeutic radiology services
Not limited to radiation therapy, radium and isotope therapy

_{Blue Shield of California is a PPO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Blue Shield of California depends on contract renewal.}

_{Out-of-network/non-contracted providers are under no obligation to treat Plan members, except in emergency situations. Please call our Customer Service number or see your Evidence of Coverage for more information, including the cost-sharing that applies to out-of-network services.}

_{H4937_25_500A2_M 10242025}
_{Page last updated: 11/04/2025}