Blue Shield of California Expands Service Area, Adds Benefits for CalPERS Members in 2024

For more than 20 years, Blue Shield of California has been serving California’s public employees with high-quality affordable healthcare offerings. In 2024, the nonprofit health plan continues to expand its offerings and offer high-quality options to more California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) members in more counties across the state.

Blue Shield is expanding its Access+ plan into two new rural counties: Del Norte in Northern California and San Benito in Central California. The nonprofit health plan is also adding an Away From Home Care® program to its health maintenance organization (HMO) offering. This program provides seamless care for family members temporarily living outside of California in a participating state, such as college students or family members who may temporarily move for work.

“Our longstanding partnership with CalPERS has always been centered around how we can provide more high-value options for members in more areas of the state,” said Dan Prettyman, vice president of Blue Shield’s Select Markets team that supports CalPERS and its members. “In recent years, we’ve significantly expanded our service areas, along with the number of health benefit plan options for CalPERS members across California. We are thrilled to serve those who serve Californians.”

While higher premium increases are being seen across the industry – Blue Shield’s increases are lower than the overall statewide increase of 10.77%. In 2024, premiums will see a more moderate increase of 5.9% for Access+ and 6.5% for Trio HMO. The Medicare PPO premium will increase by 8.5%.

Trio HMO continues to be among the most affordable plans offered to CalPERS members while providing additional quality services such as:

• 24/7 virtual consults
• Virtual medical and behavioral health appointments at no additional cost
• Pharmacy delivery at no additional cost
• Meal-delivery programs and non-emergency transport services for qualified members recovering from serious illness

CalPERS members will be able to view all of their options, including Blue Shield of California’s offerings, and make their coverage choices during 2024 open enrollment, which will take place between September 18 and October 13, 2023. CalPERS members will be able to view all of their options, including Blue Shield of California’s offerings, and make their coverage choices during 2024 open enrollment, which is taking place between September 18 and October 13, 2023. To learn more, read the news release from CalPERS.

CalPERS is the largest public-employer purchaser of health benefits in California and the second largest employer purchaser in the nation after the federal government. CalPERS’ membership represents Blue Shield’s largest commercial HMO client.