Question: I live in Amador County and my only 2 options thru Covered CA were Anthem PPO or Blue Shield EPO. The doctors/imaging specialists I saw all last year were in network with my Blue Shield PPO. Despite telling me they would take the EPO, turns out they don't and they don't accept Anthem. Can I get a PO Box in Sacramento and use that as my (mailing) address so I can have the option of getting the Blue Shield PPO next time around? Or do you know of any other way around such a dilema?
Answer: Putting aside the fact that you would be breaking the rules, using a Sacramento mailing address to enroll on a Blue Shield PPO will not accomplish what you want. The "old" Blue Shield PPO network that was available in Amador County is not the same as the "new" PPO network available in Sacramento county.
I have no doubt that this will touch a nerve with some of my readers and I invite you to comment to this post with your opinions, but I wonder if keeping the same doctor and imaging facility you used last year is of such great value. Obviously, using a different imaging facility is no problem at all but what about the doctor? How much does he know about you that could not be passed on to another equally competent doctor? Seriously, what's the big deal?