Is Blue Cross Blue Shield the same in every state?
Asked by: Bert Kilback IV | Last update: August 30, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (19 votes)
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 Blue Cross Blue Shield in all 50 states?
Blue Cross Blue Shield is available in all 50 states of the USA for individual and family plans, and 47 states for Medicaid plans, while Anthem is only available in the following 14 states: California.
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.
Are all Blue Cross Blue Shield the same?
Blue Cross Blue Shield is NOT a Single Health Insurance Company. Rather, There are 36 Different Blue Cross Blue Shield Companies that are Part of as Association. Anthem is the Largest of all the Blue Cross Companies.
Health Insurance 101: How Insurance Works In 90 Seconds | BCBSND
Is Blue Cross nationwide?
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. Nationwide, more than 1.7 million doctors and hospitals contract with BCBS companies — more than any other insurer.
Is the Blue Shield of California the same as the Blue Shield?
Blue Shield of California, an independent member of the Blue Shield Association, is a nonprofit health plan dedicated to providing Californians with access to high-quality health care at an affordable price.
Can I use my health insurance in every state?
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 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.
What insurance covers all states?
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 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.
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.
Who is buying out Blue Cross Blue Shield?
Elevance Health's $2.5 billion acquisition of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana (BCBSLA) is on pause yet again amid concerns about the impact on competition.
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 happens to my health insurance if I move out of state?
It's very important to report moves out of state immediately so you can enroll in a new plan without a break in coverage — and avoid paying for coverage that doesn't apply in your new state. When you move out of state, you'll need to start a new Marketplace application and enroll in a plan in your new state.
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 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas only in Texas?
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas is proud to be the state's only statewide, customer-owned health insurer. We are also the largest provider of health benefits in Texas, serving more than 10.4 million members in all 254 counties across the state.
Does Texas accept out of state insurance?
You can have out-of-state car insurance in Texas as long as your car's registration is properly filed and the car meets the state's minimum liability requirements.
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover in Mexico?
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan has you covered worldwide. If you need medical care outside the U.S, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands you can rest assured that the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan offers worldwide coverage.
What health 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 PPO 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 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.
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.
Is Blue Shield PPO or HMO better?
HMO plans are generally less expensive than PPO plans, with lower monthly payments, making them ideal if your favorite doctors are already in the network, or if you receive most of your care close to home.
Can I use my Blue Shield of California out of state?
As a Blue Shield member, you have access to coverage through the BlueCard® Program, no matter where you live or travel.