Question: I purchased a 2016 Anthem Silver 70 PPO plan offered by Covered California in large part because the brochures describing the plan said: "Our preferred provider organization (PPO and Tiered PPO) plans also include extra coverage for non-emergency care when they visit participating BlueCard providers in the U.S. or travel abroad. They can see any provider they wish, but they'll pay less out of pocket when they use BlueCard providers and hospitals." When I called Anthem about getting non-emergency services outside CA from a BlueCard provider, they told me I have no coverage outside CA (whether in-network or out-of-network) unless it is an emergency or for urgent care. I thought that changed with the 2016 policies? Am I missing something?

Answer: You got the wrong answer from Anthem Blue Cross. It happens. Here's how to use your BluCard. Let's say you are in New York City for a meeting. You have medical symptoms - not an emergency, but you want to see a doctor. Do a Google search for "Blue Cross Blue Shield New York City". Google will provide a link to the Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield website. You can use their online "Find a Doctor" feature or call them for names of in-network doctors nearby. As long as you use an in-network Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield provider, you'll be covered as if you were in California.