[kschwi]

What do you do for healthcare if your network is out of state? It helps that I can meet virtually with my physicians but sometimes they might want to see blood work or get a urine sample.

Are there any clinics that do lab work without having to see a doctor? I'd have to pay out of pocket but it wouldn't be too bad if I didn't have to see someone. Has anyone done this and if so where?

[asianthree]

Blood work can be ordered virtually, you just tell them where you need to go. Results are sent just like any local doctor

[kschwi]

Good to know. What about urine samples?

[CoachKandSportsguy]

The other option is a PPO plan which doesn’t limit in network drs, though drs might not take that pop plan, many should

[Pugchief]

Originally Posted by kschwi

What do you do for healthcare if your network is out of state?

I assume you are a snowbird, and the network is limited to another state? If so, why would you choose a health plan that doesn't have nationwide coverage?

[Caymus]

Originally Posted by kschwi

What do you do for healthcare if your network is out of state? It helps that I can meet virtually with my physicians but sometimes they might want to see blood work or get a urine sample.

Are there any clinics that do lab work without having to see a doctor? I'd have to pay out of pocket but it wouldn't be too bad if I didn't have to see someone. Has anyone done this and if so where?

Is this a Medicare Advantage Plan? Do you know their policy for Urgent Care Centers?

[kschwi]

Originally Posted by Pugchief

I assume you are a snowbird, and the network is limited to another state? If so, why would you choose a health plan that doesn't have nationwide coverage?

Because those plans are at least twice as expensive. The deductibles, premium and co-pays are significantly more. If I had to fly out numerous times to see a doctor, I would still come out way ahead.

My insurance would cover a trip to the emergency room and for non-emergencies I could make a virtual appointment with my many of the physicians in my network. It is the tests they might want to run that wouldn't be covered and a challenge to obtain.

[kschwi]

Originally Posted by Caymus

Is this a Medicare Advantage Plan? Do you know their policy for Urgent Care Centers?

I am 62. I was able to purchase my health care through my former employer.

[villagetinker]

IMHO, you are asking the wrong people, call your health care provider, and ask if QUEST can be used, I believe they provide both blood and urine tests. My urologist does in house urine tests, but all of my other doctors tend to use QUEST and they have sevweral offices in the area. Your doctor should be able to send the request directly to Quest.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

IMHO, you are asking the wrong people, call your health care provider, and ask if QUEST can be used, I believe they provide both blood and urine tests. My urologist does in house urine tests, but all of my other doctors tend to use QUEST and they have sevweral offices in the area. Your doctor should be able to send the request directly to Quest.

LabCorp does the same thing. My doctor sends the request to LabCopr and I can go to any of their facilities to have my blood drawn or to leave specimens...

[Pugchief]

Originally Posted by Pugchief

I assume you are a snowbird, and the network is limited to another state? If so, why would you choose a health plan that doesn't have nationwide coverage?

Originally Posted by kschwi

Because those plans are at least twice as expensive. The deductibles, premium and co-pays are significantly more. If I had to fly out numerous times to see a doctor, I would still come out way ahead.

My insurance would cover a trip to the emergency room and for non-emergencies I could make a virtual appointment with my many of the physicians in my network. It is the tests they might want to run that wouldn't be covered and a challenge to obtain.

Have you considered what would happen if you were in FL and had a heart attack or stroke? You would end up in the ICU and no coverage. I'm healthy, but you never know, and it's not worth the stress of knowing I might have a huge financial issue. Your choice, of course, but in my opinion, a limited policy like yours is far from optimal if you snowbird.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Originally Posted by Pugchief

Have you considered what would happen if you were in FL and had a heart attack or stroke? You would end up in the ICU and no coverage. I'm healthy, but you never know, and it's not worth the stress of knowing I might have a huge financial issue. Your choice, of course, but in my opinion, a limited policy like yours is far from optimal if you snowbird.

totally agree. . healthcare is one of the categories where being cheap works, until it doesn't work. It generally doesn't work in the worst of times: when you need it the most. The fact that you are asking these questions, is where the coverage may not work.

good luck
66 y/o, on coachk's high deductible health plan for the HSA contribution
going on Medicare when coachk retires
filing IRMMA relief request for lost income

[Haggar]

Originally Posted by kschwi

What do you do for healthcare if your network is out of state? It helps that I can meet virtually with my physicians but sometimes they might want to see blood work or get a urine sample.

Are there any clinics that do lab work without having to see a doctor? I'd have to pay out of pocket but it wouldn't be too bad if I didn't have to see someone. Has anyone done this and if so where?

I'm with a Florida Blue Value PPO. Coverage is good in 46 states. Do not know why and which 4 are excluded - but full coverage in the 46.

[rsmurano]

I’m guessing you aren’t on Medicare because if you were, there is no ppo option unless you had advantage and you would be more restrictive.

PPO means in network and if you use their in-network drs, they pay more. If you go out of network, your insurance pays less but it still pays. I always had PPO plans and I was covered anywhere in the states. Do you think your insurance plans think you aren’t going to do any traveling? Read your policy and it will tell you what your insurance pays in-network and out of network

[elevatorman]

Originally Posted by Haggar

I'm with a Florida Blue Value PPO. Coverage is good in 46 states. Do not know why and which 4 are excluded - but full coverage in the 46.

The 4 states where the Florida Blue Value PPO plan is not generally accepted are:

Alaska
Hawaii
Nevada
Oregon