Question: We buy health coverage from Covered California but our son will attend college in Arizona. We want to cover him on our policy. Can we do that?

Answer: Yes, you can. One key consideration, though, will be whether he can access in-network services while he is away at school. In California, only Anthem Blue Cross or Blue Shield of California PPO Plans will give in-network access out-of-state. Both of these carriers offer “Blue Card” benefits outside of California in any state with a Blue Cross Blue Shield Association carrier (36 states including Arizona). To access care, your son would select any BCBS of Arizona provide and his health plan benefits would be the same as if he were in California. All PPO plans also have out-of-network benefits available when in-network providers are not accessible, but the members’ out-of-pocket expenses will be much higher out-of-network.