Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
It appears that Blue Cross has given its Durham members two choices:
1) accept a network (Blue Value) which covers lots of doctors and hospitals NATIONWIDE (yup, I tested it out on their provider website), but leaves you with no Durham hospital and few Durham doctors; or
2) accept a network which allows you to use Duke and WakeMed facilities and doctors, but leaves you with no coverage if, say, you decide to take a trip to Greensboro and get in an accident enroute. Lots of Durham and Raleigh doctors and hospitals, but absolutely nothing beyond those two towns!
If you're a person who actually likes to, gosh, maybe drive 20 miles from your house from time to time, which would you pick and why?
I find, at best, the search engine for BCBS is horrible. I would call your provider directly and ask if they participate in which ever specific networks you are considering. If I do a search under my BCBS network, NONE of my doctors show up, however they are ALL in network. Don't ask if they take BCBS, ask if they are in the BCBS Blue Value or whatever network.
BCBSNC is independent from other Blue's plans. I found their provider search friendly to use but do agree it should not be relied on for providers you already use. This is the case for any insurer. Both plans are Point-Of-Service (POS) so you will have some limited out of network benefits. All ACA compliant plans cover emergency services at in-network payment rates but you can still be balanced billed the difference by out of network providers in NC.
Aetna/Coventry has an on-exchange POS plan for Durham and there is an off-exchange Cigna PPO available using their OAP national network. I suggest contacting a local independent health insurance agent to get personalized assistance.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
