Virtual care options
Physical and mental health online care providers
Overview
What is virtual care?
Virtual care is a flexible way to reach providers at your convenience. You can connect promptly in urgent situations or schedule appointments for the future. It allows you to connect from anywhere and reach providers across different states.
These providers offer virtual 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.
These are virtual-first providers. Your usual in-person providers may offer virtual options as well.
*Medicare members may only use Doctor On Demand, Grow and potentially Homeward.
Frequently asked questions
There are many ways to get help from medical professionals without seeing them in-person.
There are many scenarios where connecting with a medical professional virtually can be convenient.
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.
Folx Health
LGBTQ+ specialized virtual care
Range of services*, including gender-affirming care, primary care, mental health care, sexual and reproductive health services, fertility consultations, and more.
*In-network for MN residents only
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.
Homeward
For Medicare Advantage members in Kandiyohi, Renville, Chippewa, Stearns, Douglas, Grant, Pope, Morrison, Todd and Benton counties
Expert Care Navigators just a call away, find local doctors and support services to reach your best health.
Mental health online care
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
Only available for members in MN.
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
Not available for Medicare and Medicaid. Only available for members in MN.
Rula
Mental health specialized to you
Schedule an appointment with a licensed provider from diverse backgrounds and specialties. Serving ages 5+.
Call 323-205-7088
Not available for Medicare and Medicaid. Only available for members in MN.
Linq Care Inc.
Psychiatry and behavioral health telehealth
A licensed therapy team offers compassionate, integrative care for mental and emotional health for ages 12+. 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.
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.
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.