Does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover all 50 states?
Asked by: Arvid Medhurst | Last update: March 15, 2025Score: 4.8/5 (5 votes)
Does BlueCross BlueShield cover across state lines?
You and your enrolled dependents may access PPO benefits when you're traveling or temporarily living outside your home state with the BlueCard program. The BlueCard also covers enrolled dependents, including students and family members, who temporarily reside outside your home state.
Is BCBS there in all the 50 states of the US?
BCBS understands and answers the needs of local communities, while providing nationwide health care coverage for 115 million members in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
Can I use BCBS of SC in another state?
Traveling in the U.S.
Most BlueCross members with an employer-sponsored plan have coverage for care in all 50 states. There are a few exceptions. BlueCross members traveling outside of the state can find a doctor through the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association website or through My Health Toolkit.
Can I use BCBS of Texas out of state?
If you are traveling outside of Texas, there are even more BCBS Network providers from which to choose. In fact, more than 85 percent of all doctors and hospitals throughout the United States contract with BCBS.
Health Insurance 101: How Insurance Works In 90 Seconds | BCBSND
Is there a BCBS plan in every state?
Blue Cross Blue Shield insurers offer some form of health insurance coverage in every U.S. state.
Can I transfer my BCBS insurance to another state?
Coverage That Moves and Grows With You
BCBS can help when you need to change your coverage, whether you are moving to a new state, changing jobs, getting ready to retire or your employment circumstances have changed.
Is Blue Cross Blue Shield good in all states?
Every Blue Cross Blue Shield plan participates in the BlueCard program that allows you to use your plan benefits to access care anywhere inside the United States.
Will my insurance cover me out of state?
Do I need multi-state car insurance? No. No matter where you live, your standard car insurance policy will typically cover you in all 50 states and Canada.
Can I use my health insurance in any state?
Some plan types, like PPO or OAP plans, allow for full access to any and all participating providers in that carrier's network, regardless of which state you reside in. Other plan types, like HMO or POS plans, will cover emergency services anywhere in the country but may not cover routine care in another state.
What is better, Blue Shield or Anthem Blue Cross?
What we're seeing is that when comparing apples and apples, the Blue Shield of California formulary is broader than Anthem Blue Cross for Individual/Family and maybe even Small Business. Anthem made the move to a more limited drug list for their group business which was unprecedented.
What happened to Blue Cross Blue Shield?
Court issues preliminary approval of $2.8 billion Blue Cross Blue Shield provider settlement. A $2.8 billion settlement from Blue Cross Blue Shield to health care providers resolving a 12-year antitrust lawsuit received preliminary approval yesterday from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama.
Is Blue Cross Blue Shield private or state?
Blue Cross Blue Shield is a private insurer that offers Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans. The plans they offer have various pros and cons, including cost and coverage.
Does it matter what state I live in for health insurance?
You should buy coverage in the state where you officially reside. Most states consider you a resident if you intend to make that state your permanent home.
How to bill out of state BCBS plans?
- Verify eligibility and benefits via a phone call.
- Verify the local claims filing address.
- File claims to your local plan.
Do I need to change my insurance if I move out of state?
Moving to another state? If you're moving between states, keep in mind that insurance coverage varies across states. For example, in California, due to the high risk of earthquakes, you may want to take special precautions to make sure your home is safe and secure in case an earthquake occurs.
What insurance is accepted in all 50 states?
Medicare is run by the federal government, which is why Original Medicare coverage is the same in every state and includes nationwide access to providers.
What is the difference between a PPO and a HMO?
HMO plans typically have lower monthly premiums. You can also expect to pay less out of pocket. PPOs tend to have higher monthly premiums in exchange for the flexibility to use providers both in and out of network without a referral. Out-of-pocket medical costs can also run higher with a PPO plan.
Can I use my health insurance anywhere in the US?
The Long Answer: Your out-of-state coverage is going to really only cover emergencies, and not much else--there's also loopholes to what's considered an Emergency. In most cases, insurance companies are required to pay for reasonable emergency medical expenses regardless of the hospital you go to.
Why is Blue Shield so expensive?
That said, the brief statement released by Blue Shield of California explains the reasons for the increases: higher provider prices, increased utilization, and a decline in enrollment in a bad economy resulting in spiraling premiums due to adverse selection.
What is a PPO plan?
Preferred provider organization (PPO) A type of medical plan in which coverage is provided to participants through a network of selected health care providers, such as hospitals and physicians. Enrollees may seek care outside the network but pay a greater percentage of the cost of coverage than within the network.
Is BCBS accepted in all states?
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) operates in all 50 states, though the exact coverage may vary by region. BCBS is a federation of 36 independent health insurance companies, each serving specific states or regions.
Can I use my insurance out of state?
Generally, many plans will cover emergency and urgent care services even if you're out of state. So, if you're traveling and need an emergency medical treatment, you'll typically be covered, even if you're out of your plan's home network.
How long do you have to live in California to get medical?
There is no time period associated with being a California resident. However, a person does have to be physically present in California with the intent to remain in California permanently or indefinitely. Where can I get more information on Medi-Cal Eligibility?