Blue Shield - Find a Provider

This page provides instructions on finding a provider within the Blue Shield network. 

If you are already enrolled in a Blue Shield medical plan, you can login to your online Blue Shield portal and perform a provider search. While logged into your portal, your plan/network will automatically be used when searching for a provider. If you are not enrolled in a Blue Shield plan or you're looking at a different plan network, you can still perform a provider search as a guest. See below instructions.

Search Instructions

  1. Go to the Blue Shield provider search tool: https://www.blueshieldca.com/fad/home
  2. Select your plan:
    • For those on Blue Shield Choice, Care, EPO, HDHP, and Medicare PPO/EPO 
      • Select Plan Year
      • Select Plan - Blue Shield of California PPO Network
    • For those on Blue Shield Tandem PPO
      • Select Plan Year
      • Select Plan Type: 2024 Employer Group (101+ Employees)
        • Or 2025 Employer Group (101+ Employees), if searching for the 2025 plan year.
      • Select Subplan: Tandem PPO
  3. Select your doctor, speciality, etc. 
  4. A results list will be populated based on your given criteria
    • You can increase the search radius to capture a large group of providers

Using the Provider Search Tiles

  1. Go to the Blue Shield provider search tool: https://www.blueshieldca.com/fad/home
  2. Click on the "tile" for the category you want to search (doctors & specialists, primary care physician, facilities, etc.).
  3. Select "Continue as a guest" from the popup.
  1. Enter your location
    • If you are searching out of state (CA), you will redirected to a different webpage. Select your location and use EMF as the plan prefix code. 
  2. Choose your Plan:
    • Go to "show popular plans"
    • Either choose "Blue Shield of California PPO Network" or "Tandem PPO"
      • For those on Blue Shield Choice, Care, EPO, HDHP, and Medicare PPO/EPO - use Blue Shield of Calfiornia PPO Network
      • For those on Blue Shield Tandem PPO - use Tandem PPO network
  3. Choose your search criteria:
    • You can refine your search by adjusting the first option, which asks for doctor/facility name or type, etc. 
    • Use the List of Specialties dropdown to help narrow down your search.
      • Keep in mind that you may want to select more options to broaden your search - your doctor or facility may be tagged under a different category.
  4. A results list will be populated based on your given criteria
    • You can increase the search radius to capture a large group of providers

You can filter your searches when searching for providers by clicking the "Filter & Sort" tab.

  • Expand your search mile radius. Blue Shield's site is defaulted to search within a 15-mile radius for providers based on the location you input. It's recommended to increase the radius to capture more providers!
  • If you know it, you can search by National Provider Identifier or License Identifier.
  • Make sure to double check if the provider is accepting new patients. Some providers may show up on your search, but may not be taking new patients and vice versa. You can filter this search by clicking or unclicking the "accepting new patients" check box.
If you select the Doctors & Specialists tile, you will be prompted to further refine your search:
  • You can search by Doctor Type, Doctor Name, or Medical Group.
  • Use the drop down to refine your search.
  • NOTE: regarding Family Practice v. General Practice
    • Family Practice serves all ages and genders, so it can include pediatrics and geriatrics.
    • General Practice only takes adults and may not include as wide a range of services. You may be referred out to a specialist.
 
If you select the Mental Health tile:
  • Yyou will be prompted to "Continue as a Guest", enter your location, and then select a plan. 
    • Plan Coverage Year: 2025
    • Plan Type: 2025 Employer Group Plans (101+ Employees)
    • Subplan: 
      • For those currently on Blue Shield Tandem PPO, use the Tandem PPO
      • All other plans, use Blue Shield of California PPO Network

FAQs

If you need help using the Blue Shield Provider Search Tool, take a moment to review the Blue Shield Provider Search Tutorial Videos. There are videos on:

  • Searching for a doctor
  • Searching for a medical group
  • Checking if your primary care physician is in-network
  • Using the out-of-state provider search
All County Blue Shield medical plans are supported by Accolade for customer support. Please review our Accolade webpage and reach out to Accolade if you need assistance with performing a provider search. 

When searching for an out of state provider, you will use the Blue Card PPO network. If prompted for a plan code, use EMF.

To find the specific out of state provider search, scroll to the bottom of the Blue Shield Search page. You will go to the section titled "Accessing Care Outside CA" and choose "Providers outside of CA." 

  • This will prompt you to leave the Blue Shield website. Click to confirm and leave the website.
  • Start with choosing a location and plan:
    • Location: Enter an address, city, or zip code
    • Find your plan by prefix: Enter EMF
  • You may now search for specific doctors, specialties, facilities, etc. 

Due to SB197, providers must attest every 90 days to confirm name, address, and phone number to be included in the Blue Shield directory. It is possible the provider you are searching has not completed the attestation. 

Blue Shield recognizes the importance of maintaining a strong doctor-patient relationship when you change healthcare plans. 

Any member who has any qualifying medical condition with a non-contracted provider will be able to complete a Continuity of Care form and submit it to Blue Shield.