[iaudit]

Usually, if a provider participates in the local area Blue Cross/Blue Shield plan, they will accept the negotiated payment from the local BC/BS plan. The local plan will then bill your local BC/BS plan through something that they call the "Blue Card network". Pennsylvania is unique in that there are a variety of BC/BS plans throughout the state, Highmark (formerly BC/Bs of Western PA), Capital, Northeast and Independence. At one time they each covered a geographic region but now there is some overlapping of areas. I also heard that Highmark and Independence were merging.

I have gone to some health providers in Florida and my Pennsylvania Plan (Capital) has covered the fee just as they did with Pennsylvania providers. In fact, four years ago I was treated for prostate cancer at the Dattoli Clinic in Sarasota for three months and all of the doctor, hospital and miscellaneous expenses were billed through the local plan and paid by my Pennsylvania plan, subject to normal deductibles and co-pays.

Since there are a large number of providers in the area, your best bet is to look up and call some the specialists that you may need and inquire whether they accept the BC/BS Allowance.