Question: An adult needs to buy insurance in Georgia, but plans to be back in California in a few months. Can we get a policy that covers both states?

Answer: Most national health insurance carriers have multi-state networks, so as long as you select a PPO plan you’ll be OK. You have to have a residence in a given state to purchase health insurance, so you will probably be buying your coverage in Georgia. If you maintain a residence in California, I recommend that you purchase coverage in CA. It’s cheaper and you won’t have to change when you move back.

Network coverage in another state works like this: You are insured by BCBS GA but need medical services in CA. As long as you choose a network provider of either Blue Cross or Blue Shield (separate companies in CA), you will get the in-network benefit your policy provides just as if you were in your home state of GA. This multi-state network benefit is exclusive to PPO plans offered by national carriers.