Is Blue Cross Blue Shield good in all states?

Asked by: Damon Christiansen  |  Last update: July 12, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (64 votes)

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.

Is my health insurance good in other states?

You have to reside in the state where you buy health insurance. Thats how insurance carriers want it. You can use it in another state if it has non-network coverage you pay for.

What are the cons of Blue Cross Blue Shield?

BCBS Cons
  • Beneficiaries will often need to pay a Part B premium as well as a Medicare Advantage premium.
  • BCBS does not offer as many Special Needs Plans (SNPs) as other types of Medicare Advantage plans.
  • Premiums and benefits might change every year on January 1.

What Are The Best Health Insurance In Texas? | Blue Cross Blue Shield Review |

19 related questions found

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 Cross Blue Shield being sued?

The lawsuit alleged a range of antitrust violations by BCBS, including price fixing and allocating markets using exclusive service areas.

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.

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.

What state has the best healthcare benefits?

  • Hawaii. #1 in Health Care. #34 in Best States Overall. ...
  • Massachusetts. #2 in Health Care. #10 in Best States Overall. ...
  • Connecticut. #3 in Health Care. #20 in Best States Overall. ...
  • New Jersey. #4 in Health Care. ...
  • Rhode Island. #5 in Health Care. ...
  • California. #6 in Health Care. ...
  • Maryland. #7 in Health Care. ...
  • New York. #8 in Health Care.

Can I use my Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance in another country?

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 Blue Shield of California good?

The vast majority of Blue California's customers say they would recommend it to friends and family and just about all those polled said they'd renew their policies. It's No. 12 on Insure.com's 2024 Best Health Insurance Companies list – earning 3.7 stars out of 5.

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover life flight?

The Blue Cross ® and Blue Shield ® Benefit Plan provides benefits for medically necessary ground, air and sea professional ambulance transport services in both the U.S. and overseas.

Is Blue Cross accepted everywhere?

With the PPO, you can use any of the BCBS providers in all 50 states. They may not be directly contracted with the BS of CA, but as long as they participate with the BCBS in the state you see a provider in, they will file claims with that plan.

Is Blue Cross cheaper than Blue Shield?

Depending on your region, the cheapest California health plan might be offered by Anthem Blue Cross or by Blue Shield of California. However, the rates tend to be about the same. The big difference is network. Which plan offers the most doctors, hospitals and medical provider networks?

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.

Can I see a doctor in another state with my insurance?

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.

Do I need health insurance Travelling to USA?

Healthcare for visitors to the USA

For this reason, if you don't have travel insurance for America, it can be very expensive for you to receive treatment, so even a minor fall or illness could end up costing you a significant sum of money if you're not covered.

Does my health insurance work in any state?

not every plan is available in every state, so check with your insurance company if its coverage extends to the place you're visiting. You may still be covered even if it doesn't contract with providers in that state, but your costs may be different.

Does Canadian insurance work in the States?

Obtaining adequate healthcare coverage in the U.S.

The solution to health insurance in the U.S. for snowbirds is to purchase a robust travel insurance policy that will cover them throughout their stay. This is necessary since Canadian provincial healthcare provides very little coverage outside Canada.

Will my insurance cover me in other states?

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

Does Blue Cross cover anesthesia?

The spokesperson added, "To be clear, it never was and never will be the policy of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield to not pay for medically necessary anesthesia services. The proposed update to the policy was only designed to clarify the appropriateness of anesthesia consistent with well-established clinical guidelines.”

How to check BCBS claim status?

Use our interactive tool to find your local Blue Cross and Blue Shield company's website and access your account. On their website, you'll be able to look up your health plan, review a claim and more. Enter the first three letters of the Identification Number from your member ID card.

What settlements are out right now?

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