Accolade - Navigator PPO

The County is pleased to announce an important improvement to our employee healthcare member experience. The County will be transitioning from the Anthem Blue Cross network of providers to a Blue Shield of California provider network and is introducing Blue Shield's Navigator PPO, powered by Accolade. This change addresses our employee's top priorities by helping you navigate your benefits and the healthcare system, and by providing you with tools to help you manage your care and costs, which ultimately impacts the premiums paid by the County and employees.

With Accolade concierge medical navigation, members will have the same medical plan designs that you have today, and with a one-stop concierge accessible by phone, member portal, or mobile app, you will have quick access to a high level of support including:

  • Access to a healthcare assistant/advocate to help understand your coverage and costs
  • Help find and book high quality, cost effective, in-network provider appointments
  • Free access to virtual primary and mental health care solutions for all plans*
  • Free expert medical second opinions for all plans*
  • Free assistance with medical claims and billing issue resolution

Accolade's top priority is to enhance member support, specifically focusing on crucial moments when you need care and support including experiencing new symptoms, finding a care provider, a new serious diagnosis that requires additional care, and managing chronic health conditions. They will get you and your family access to quality health care when and how you need it, help you improve your health, and positively impact your healthcare experience.

*Free for High Deductible Health Plan members in 2024 as permitted under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, which will expire December 31, 2024, and at such time there will be a copay for services.

Visit member.accolade.com or call (866) 406-1275 to get started!

Graphic showing how members can interact with Accolade.

Introducing Accolade

Watch this quick video to help understand what Accolade is and what services Accolade can provide to you.

Learn About Accolade

Health and Benefits Support

Health assistants and nurses are available by phone or Accolade's member portal/app to help with:

  • Finding high-quality care
  • Booking virtual primary care or mental healthcare appointments
  • Preparing for a doctor's visit
  • Understanding coverage and costs
  • Getting a second opinion

Virtual Care - See Accolade Care for More Information

See and speak with board certified doctors or licensed therapists from phone or computer, day or night! Treatments include:

  • Mental Health
  • Ongoing and chronic conditions
  • Preventative care
  • Prescriptions and refills

Expert Medical Opinion - See 2nd. MD

Members can get a free second opinion from lead specialist regarding:

  • New diagnosis
  • Surgery
  • Treatment plan
  • Medication
  • Other major medical decision

Available January 1, 2024!

Accolade offers a telemedicine platform through Accolade Care. With Accolade Care, you can see a doctor from your phone, tablet, or computer, day or night. Call the Accolade phone line or use your Accolade Member Portal to book a virtual care appointment. 

  • See doctors who have trained at the top 50 U.S. medical schools
  • Get same and next-day virtual primary care visits
  • Accolade Care can support various treatments, like urgent care, ongoing conditions, mental health, prescriptions, and more. See below for details on what Accolade Care doctors can treat.
Accolade Doctor Treatments
Urgent Care Preventative Care
  • Allergies
  • Bacterial Infections
  • Cold and Flu
  • Pink Eye
  • Sinus Infections
  • Sore Throat
  • STDs
  • Urinary Tract Infections
  • Wellness Visit
  • Recommend and Order Blood Tests
  • Cancer Screenings
  • Immunizations
  • Alcohol, Depression, and Tobacco Counseling
Ongoing and Chronic Conditions Mental Health
  • Asthma
  • Diabetes
  • Hair Loss
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Joint and Back Pain
  • Thyroid Disorders
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Sleep Disorders
  • Stress
Prescriptions
  • Antibiotics
  • Birth Control
  • HIV Prevention (PrEP)
  • Refills for most existing prescriptions

Your Accolade Health Assistant or nurse can help connect you with 2nd.MD to receive a second opinion from a medical expert. You can get a second opinion if you have questions about:

  • A possible surgery or procedure
  • A chronic condition (cancer, high cholesterol, diabetes, etc.)
  • Diagnostic testing (MRI, CT, lab work, ultrasound)
  • Your medications or overall treatment plan.

With 2nd.MD you can get a second expert medical opinion from world-renowned specialists. Speak directly with a leading specialist via phone or video for as long as you need to get your questions answered. You will be connected with a board-certified, leading specialist for an expert second opinion via video or phone within days. 

Get started with the second opinion process by speaking with a 2nd.MD nurse to discuss your specific needs and concerns. 2nd.MD will collect the necessary medical records, test results, and images on your behalf and find a top specialist that is right for you. Then, you will speak directly with the specialist via phone or video at a time that is convenient for you, including evenings and weekends. 

2nd.MD has a panel of over 900 expert doctors that are industry leaders across hundreds of sub-specialties and thousands of conditions including:

  • Cancer
  • Heart disease and stroke
  • Digestive problems
  • Immunological disorders (such as Rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Type 1 Diabetes)
  • Women's health
  • Mental health concerns
  • Musculoskeletal issues (including Back, Hip, Knee)

How to Use 2nd.MD

  1. Activate your account and request support at 2nd.md/sanluisobispocounty
  2. Speak with a nurse about your condition and concerns. They will take care of:
    • Collecting your medical records
    • Identifying the right specialist for your needs
    • Setting up the virtual appointment
  3. Consult with the specialist by phone or video to get a second opinion about your diagnosis and treatment plan. They will provide a written summary to share with your physician.

Take advantage of Blue Shield's Teladoc Health:

  • Talk to a doctor or mental health professional anywhere you are by phone or video.
  • Set up an appointment with a licensed doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist, or counselor by phone or video.
  • Appointments are available daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., from the convenience and privacy of your home.
  • Applicable copays do apply. Check your benefit summaries and plan documents for cost.

Visit Teladoc.com/bsc and set up an account.

Get started with Accolade by accessing your portal via the online account or mobile app.

Step One:

Visit member.accolade.com or download the Accolade mobile app on the App store or Google Play.

Step Two: 

Enter required information such as your name, birth date, and zip code. Verify your account, then create your username and password.

Step Three:

Log in or open the app to see your employee benefits in one place, including your health plan information! Start messaging your health and benefits questions to your Health Assistant or nurse.

Helpful Tips!

  1. Share this information with your family members so they can create their own account.
  2. Set up a PIN or Face ID for faster login.
  3. Take a picture of your member ID cards and store them in the app.
  4. Turn on notifications so you don't miss a message.

Please note that your benefits information or personal data will not be available in the Accolade portal/app, until the official launch after January 1, 2024. 

FAQS

  • Starting December 1, 2023, you and your family can connect with your Accolade Health Assistant or nurse to help answer your health and benefits questions, big or small.
  • Starting January 1, 2024, you and your family will also have access to virtual care, where you can speak with a top doctor or therapist at your convenience, and you can get in touch with a specialist for a second opinion about your diagnosis, treatment plan, or medication within a matter of days.

Yes, you can assign your Accolade doctor as your PCP for ongoing care.

Yes, anytime you have a qualifying life event, Accolade can help you understand your options and choose a health plan that is right for you and your family.

  • Which benefits are right for my family's healthcare needs?
  • Can you help me choose a health plan?
  • Can you help me understand this confusing medical bill?
  • Can you help me find a high-quality doctor or therapist who meets my needs?
  • Can you help me schedule an appointment?
  • Can you help me understand my symptoms?
  • Can you help me understand my condition and explore treatment options?
  • Where is the nearest in-network urgent care facility?
  • Can you help me manage my medications?
  • Can I get a no-cost second opinion on my diagnosis and treatment plan?
  • Convenient: Book an appointment through the website or mobile app, speak to your doctor or therapist via video, and if necessary, pick up your prescription from your local pharmacy. You'll also have access to your 24/7 Care Team for follow-up questions.
  • Affordable: Talking to an online doctor has never been easier or more affordable. You'll see the price of a visit prior to confirming your booking.
  • High Quality: See and speak with highly-skilled online doctors who have trained at the top 50 U.S. medical schools and have an average of 15 years of experience.