## 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.](/find-care/how-telehealth-and-e-visit-virtual-care-can-help "How telehealth and e-visit virtual care can help") *\*Medicare members may only use Doctor On Demand, Grow and potentially Homeward.* ## Frequently asked questions ### When should I use virtual care? 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.* ### How are telehealth and e-visits different? 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 ### Which providers offer virtual care? 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 **Virtual care – now includes primary care** Easy access to 24/7 urgent care as well as high-quality doctors for primary and mental health care online. Register your account, download the app for free and book your visit. Copays may vary by plan. [Learn more about Doctor On Demand](https://doctorondemand.com/microsite/bcbsmn/) ### Allina Health TeleHealth **Real-time remote interactions** Services include Telepsychiatry and mental health assessments and referrals, in addition to other medical support. [Contact Telehealth](https://account.allinahealth.org/services/372) ## 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. [Contact Virtuwell](https://www.virtuwell.com/) ### 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. [Contact Everyday Online](https://onlinevisit.allinahealth.org/?l=en) ## Mental health online care ### 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** [Contact Headway](https://care.headway.co/coverage/bcbsminnesota) ### 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** [Contact growtherapy](https://growtherapy.com/members/bcbsmn/filters?setting=Virtual&utm_medium=search-results&utm_source=bcbsmn-db&utm_campaign=90-bcbsmn-members&state=Minnesota&par=1) ### 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** *Ages 5+* [Contact Rula](https://www.rula.com/bcbsmndir/) ### 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. Call **986-206-0414** *Ages 8-64* *Currently not available for Medicare.* [Contact Charlie Health](https://www.charliehealth.com/bcbsmn?What_is_your_organization=BCBS_Minnesota_(Commercial)&RS_Account_ID=0015e00000NV576AAD) ### 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** *Ages 0-18, plus parents and couples* *Currently not available for Medicare and Medicaid.* [Contact Little Otter](https://www.littleotterhealth.com/partners/bcbsmn) ### Mightier **Game-based mental health program for kids ages 4-17** Mightier uses biofeedback games and hands-on activities to help kids explore emotions and build coping skills. Games respond to a child's heart rate, encouraging calming strategies like deep breathing. The at-home program includes a tablet, heart sensor, and caregiver app with guidance and progress tracking. [Contact Mightier](https://www.mightier.com/bcbs-mn/) ### 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. *Ages 13+* *Currently not available for Medicare* [Visit Learn to Live](https://www.learntolive.com/welcome/blueplus) ### 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** *Ages 15+* *Currently not available for Medicare and Medicaid.* [Contact Pelago](https://my.pelagohealth.com/bcbsmn?utm_source=internal-client&utm_medium=hr) ### Lin Health **Digital chronic pain recovery and management** Lin Health is a virtual care platform for adults with chronic pain such as back pain, fibromyalgia, migraines, and IBS. Users are paired with a care team including a pain recovery coach, behavioral health support, and telehealth consultations. The app includes custom “care kits” for flares, sleep, and movement, plus weekly modules and real-time messaging. *Ages 18+* *Currently not available for Medicare and Medicaid.* [Contact Lin Health](https://www.lin.health/partner/blue-cross-blue-shield-of-minnesota) ## 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. [Visit 988lifeline.org](https://988lifeline.org/) ### Ready to learn? Discover various kinds of behavioral and mental health conditions, symptoms and treatments, and find out what health plans cover. [Learn more](/node/1216) ![Adult sitting on a medical chair while the doctor is examining them.](/sites/default/files/styles/3x2_third/public/ddcc3107-3874-46c9-91a6-c40ce65f20bf.png.webp?itok=6aK2xDZc) ### 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.](/find-care/home-care-options "In-home care options") [Search](/find-care) 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. Charlie Health is an independent company that provides virtual behavioral health services. Grow Therapy is an independent company that provides virtual and in-person behavioral health services. Headway is an independent company that provides virtual and in-person behavioral health services. Lin Health is an independent company that provides virtual behavioral health services. Little Otter is an independent company that provides virtual behavioral health services. Mantra is an independent company that provides mental healthcare services. Mightier is an independent company that provides virtual behavioral health services. Pelago is an independent company that provides virtual behavioral health services. Rula is an independent company that provides virtual and in-person behavioral health services.