Does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover all states?

Asked by: Hallie Price  |  Last update: January 25, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (17 votes)

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield System 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.

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover all 50 states?

With access to the largest provider network in the world, your Excellus BlueCross BlueShield plan offers a world of options. Our members have access to medical assistance services, doctors, and hospitals in all 50 states and more than 200 countries and territories around the world.

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield 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.

Can I use BCBS of Texas out of state?

HealthSelectSM Out-of-State is a network-based preferred provider plan managed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX). HealthSelect Out-of-State is available to non-Medicare eligible retirees who live or work outside of Texas.

Can I use my Florida Blue insurance out of state?

Out-of-state insurance benefits

If you're traveling out-of-state, an emergency room or urgent care visit, along with any pre-approved services are covered by your Florida Blue health plan. Depending on your plan, you may have additional out-of-state health insurance benefits.

BCBS Basic vs. Standard: What You Need To Know!

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Does my insurance cover me in another state?

Your car insurance policy generally will cover you when you drive your car out of state. If you are on vacation, for example, or are passing through another state on a road trip, you won't need to get a separate car insurance policy.

Is Florida Blue nationwide?

When you're a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida BlueOptions or BlueChoice member, you take your health care benefits with you across the country and around the world.

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 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.

Can my health insurance be used out-of-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 insurance covers all states?

Although Medicaid is available in every state, it's quite different from Medicare. 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.

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.

Is a blue card the same as a blue shield?

The BlueCard® Program links participating healthcare providers and the independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans across the country and abroad with a single electronic network for claims processing and reimbursement.

What states does Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas cover?

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas Subsidiaries

In addition to Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans in Texas, Illinois, New Mexico, and Oklahoma operating as divisions of HCSC, HCSC includes the following subsidiaries: Apply for Texas health insurance coverage at eHealthInsurance.

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.

What is the difference between a PPO and epo?

For example, members can only use hospitals, doctors, imaging facilities, and pharmacies contracted by the EPO. In comparison, a PPO offers coverage for both in-network and out-of-network providers and facilities. However, Members will pay a higher out-of-pocket cost for using providers outside the network.

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.

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.

Is Blue Shield Promise PPO or HMO?

As a mixed-model health maintenance organization (HMO), Blue Shield Promise contracts directly with individual physicians and other healthcare provider types under flexible reimbursement arrangements and with independent physician associations (IPAs) and medical groups on a capitated basis.

Can my insurance be used in another state?

No matter where you live, your standard car insurance policy will typically cover you in all 50 states and Canada.

What is PPO insurance?

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.

Can I use my Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas in another state?

Traveling within the U.S.

If you are traveling out-of-state but within the United States, you have access to the same level of benefits you receive in-network as long as you visit in-network providers.

Does blue cross blue shield cross state lines?

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield System

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.

What is the difference between a PPO and a HMO?

HMOs (health maintenance organizations) are typically cheaper than PPOs, but they tend to have smaller networks. You need to see your primary care physician before getting a referral to a specialist. PPOs (preferred provider organizations) are usually more expensive.

Can I use BCBS of Florida in another state?

When traveling out-of-state, you're covered under the BlueCard® Program. You'll receive in-network benefits and will be protected from balance billing when receiving covered services from a BlueCard® participating provider.