Does Blue Shield work in other states?
Asked by: Aracely Bogan II | Last update: January 2, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (66 votes)
Does Blue Shield PPO cover out-of-state?
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 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.
What states accept Blue Cross Blue Shield?
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.
Is Blue Cross Blue Shield all over the United States?
Blue Cross Blue Shield insurers offer some form of health insurance coverage in every U.S. state. They also act as administrators of Medicare in many states or regions of the U.S.
What is the Difference Between Blue Cross Standard and Basic
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover you outside the US?
As a Blue Cross and Blue Shield member, you take your healthcare benefits with you when you are abroad. Through the Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core program, you have access to doctors and hospitals around the world.
Is my health insurance accepted in other states?
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.
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.
What is the best healthcare insurance?
Investopedia's analysis ranks Kaiser Permanente as the best health insurance company for 2025 because of its blend of affordability and low customer complaints. UnitedHealthcare and Aetna also earned top marks. We evaluated nine insurers using dozens of criteria, such as customer satisfaction, plan types, and costs.
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 health insurance works in all states?
If you live in two different states or frequently travel within the country, you may want to sign up for a preferred provider organization (PPO) plan. A PPO plan gives you more nationwide options for providers and health care services. That means you're able to use your health insurance no matter where you are.
Can I use Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina out of state?
Your ID card gives you access to participating providers in and outside the state of North Carolina through the Blue Card® Program, and benefits for these in-network providers are covered at the in-network benefit level.
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.
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 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.
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida work in other states?
While BCBS boasts a national network, Florida Blue's plan network typically extends only within Florida. Exceptions: Certain Florida Blue plans, particularly Federal Employee Program (FEP) plans offered to federal employees nationwide, may offer broader network coverage encompassing other states.
How to check if insurance is active?
- Log in to your insurance provider's website or mobile app.
- Navigate to the "My Policies" or "Coverage Summary" section.
- Look for "Active" status next to your policy.
Is my health insurance good in any state?
If you move across state lines, your health insurance coverage may or may not move with you. There are things you can do to make sure you keep your coverage or pick up new coverage to avoid gaps. Learn more about your health care options when you move to a new state or split your time between two or more states.
Can you have surgery in another state?
You can go to another state to have a tooth pulled, cosmetic surgery and an abortion, as long as it's legal in that state. Your are to obey the laws of the state you are in. If you live in Texas but you went to Oklahoma for whatever, you have to obey Oklahoma's laws.
Can I be on my parents' insurance if I live in a different state?
Yes, you are eligible to be covered on your parent's plan up to age 26 regardless of where you live. However, your parent's health plan probably has a network of participating providers and it may be difficult for you to find in-network care when you are living in another state.
Where does Blue Cross Blue Shield rank?
Overall, Blue Cross Blue Shield was the top health insurance company in 16 states, followed by Elevance Health in nine states. While UnitedHealth Group is America's largest insurer on a national level, it is comparatively less concentrated state-wide, being the top provider in states such as New York and Arizona.
Which health insurance denies the most claims?
According to the analysis, AvMed and UnitedHealthcare tied for the highest denial rate, with both companies denying about a third of in-network claims for plans sold on the Marketplace in 2023, respectively.