Virtual care options

Physical and mental health online care providers

 

Overview

What is virtual care?

Virtual care is a flexible and convenient way to see a provider. Get virtual care in urgent situations or schedule an appointment for later from wherever you are.

Virtual care providers offer assistance for most* Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and Blue Plus (Blue Cross) members. All you need is a phone, tablet or computer to connect with a qualified in-network provider. Some offer medical and mental health support for a variety of common conditions while others specialize.

The providers listed below are virtual-first providers. Your usual in-person providers may also offer virtual options.

Get more information about virtual care to better understand your options.

 

*Medicare members may only use Doctor On Demand, Grow and potentially Homeward. 

Frequently asked questions

There are many scenarios where connecting with a medical professional virtually can be a good option.

When to use telehealth
Ongoing or new care with your provider, who may be a specialist

  • Mental health visits
  • Follow-up care
  • Family planning
  • Prescription refills
  • Common illnesses or injuries
    • Rash, cold, flu, UTI, etc.

List incomplete. Varies by provider.

When to use e-visits
Non-urgent care with any provider

  • Prescription refills
  • Common illnesses or injuries
    • Cold & flu
    • Pink eye
    • Skin rash
    • Allergies
    • Acne, etc.

List incomplete. Varies by provider.

While telehealth and e-visits are both virtual options for common, non-urgent issues, there are some differences that impact what kind of help you can receive and how it will be covered by your health plan.

Telehealth
Ongoing or new care with your provider, who may be a specialist

E-visits
Shorter, non-urgent care with any provider 

Most providers offer some sort of virtual care option, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic began. The fastest way to know if a provider offers e-visits and/or telehealth is to check their website or call.

Online care options

Physical and mental health online care

Doctor On Demand

Telemedicine

Meet face-to-face online with a board-certified doctor, psychiatrist or psychologist.

Call 1-800-997-6196

Allina Health TeleHealth

Real-time remote interactions

Services include Telepsychiatry and mental health assessments and referrals, in addition to other medical support. 

Physical health online care

Virtuwell

24/7 online clinic

Get a diagnosis, treatment plan, and prescription if needed from board-certified nurse practitioners. All in about an hour. eVisits only. 

Allina Health Everyday Online

On-demand virtual care

You'll receive quality care for a variety of common everyday conditions from a trusted provider through Allina's app. 

Mental health online care

Only available for members in Minnesota.

growtherapy

Makes finding a great therapist easy

Book online and see a qualified therapist who fits your needs. Online or in-person, it's therapy on your terms.

Call 786-244-3504

Headway

The care you want with insurance coverage

Headway simplifies finding an in-network mental health provider with upfront costs, insurance checks, and instant booking across 20+ specialties.

Call 646-941-7645

Rula

Mental health specialized to you

Schedule an appointment with a licensed provider from various backgrounds and specialties. Serving ages 5+.

Call 323-642-3806

Linq Care Inc.

Psychiatry and behavioral health telehealth

A licensed therapy team offers compassionate, integrative care for mental and emotional health for ages 12 and above. Appointments available 7 days a week.

Mantra Health

Mental health care for students

A digital mental health clinic that partners with colleges and universities. Fully virtual, same-week appointments available, including nighttime and weekends.

Learn to Live

Learn to Live is a free online mental health program for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and Blue Plus (Blue Plus) members living with stress, depression, substance use, insomnia, and/or social anxiety.

Charlie Health

Virtual intensive therapy

Comprehensive mental healthcare programs, including group sessions, individual therapy, and family therapy, plus wraparound services like 24/7 crisis care, psychiatric services, and more.

Not available for Medicare and Medicaid.

Little Otter

Virtual mental healthcare for your whole family

Little Otter is the one-stop shop for families to get all their mental health needs from small concerns around sleep or tantrums all the way through really big stuff, even suicide ideation, OCD, anxiety, and depression with individual, couples, and/or family therapy for children (0-18) and parents. Get connected with a licensed clinician within 24 hours.

Call 415-449-2813

Not available for Medicare and Medicaid.

Pelago

Virtual Substance Use Treatment for Alcohol and Opioids

Pelago offers 24/7 virtual care for those seeking help with alcohol use disorder and/or opioid use disorder. Pelago provides you with a personalized action plan for eligible members looking to change their relationship with alcohol or overcome opioid dependence.

Call 877-349-7755

Not available for Medicare or Medicaid.

Resources and Support

Need immediate help?

If this is an emergency, call or text 988, the National Suicide Prevention and Crisis Lifeline. Help is available and you can speak to someone 24/7. 

Ready to learn?

Discover various kinds of behavioral and mental health conditions, symptoms and treatments, and find out what health plans cover.

Adult sitting on a medical chair while the doctor is examining them.

Find a provider

Search for additional in-network providers that offer in-person and possible virtual care.

Your plan may also cover in-home care options.

Each healthcare provider is an independent contractor and not our agent.

Doctor On Demand by Included Health is an independent company providing telehealth services.

Learn to Live, Inc. is an independent company providing online cognitive behavioral therapy programs and services.

Allina Health is an independent company that provides network access to health care services. Allina Health Network is a subsidiary of Allina Health.

Little Otter is an independent company that provides family and child mental healthcare services.

Charlie Health is an independent company that provides mental healthcare services.

Grow is an independent company that provides mental healthcare services.

Headway is an independent company that provides mental healthcare services.

Rula is an independent company that provides mental healthcare services.

Linq is an independent company that provides mental healthcare services.

Mantra is an independent company that provides mental healthcare services.