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Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO

(@maggiesavovska)
Posts: 1
New Member
Topic starter
 

I am moving to St Thomas, VI August 1st. I'm wondering if I can keep my insurance which is Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO (briefcase symbol on my card). I've called 4 doctors on the island including redhook family practice ( http://www.redhookfamilypractice.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/site.content/type/contact.cfm) and they all say they accept BCBS PPO. Although I've heard rumors that BCBS members have to switch to a new insurance when they move to St. Thomas. Can anyone give me input on this? I pretty much trust what the Dr. offices said, but i'm just worried i'm overlooking something. Thanks!

 
Posted : May 31, 2017 4:48 pm
(@gators_mom)
Posts: 1300
Noble Member
 

Not knowing your circumstances .....

If you are leaving an employer you can use COBRA to continue your insurance for 18 months. Sometimes this insurance will work in the VI - check your insurance policy.

If you are retiring early, check with your employer on how insurance works for its retirees.

If you use ACA insurance and change your residency to the VI, you won't be able to retain that insurance.

There are many BCBS companies and plans. Some cover only within the state where you reside, others have more global coverage. You can go to your BCBS company's website to determine this. Many health providers in the VI accept certain BCBS insurance - but it depends on the plan.

I suggest reading your insurance policy/researching your insurance company's website first and then determining your strategy.

At this point you cannot get individual health insurance in the VI.

 
Posted : May 31, 2017 5:38 pm
 lc98
(@lc98)
Posts: 1250
Noble Member
 

What Gator's Mom said. Whether you will be covered at local doctors under your current plan is one thing. Whether you will be able to keep your insurance as a USVI resident is entirely a separate matter.

 
Posted : June 1, 2017 11:43 am
(@speee1dy)
Posts: 8867
Illustrious Member
 

please keep in mind we have no individual insurance options here

 
Posted : June 1, 2017 12:30 pm
(@LBMcG)
Posts: 2
New Member
 

How do you live there without health insurance? Would love to relocate but can't wrap my head around this:S

 
Posted : June 3, 2017 12:09 pm
(@Scubadoo)
Posts: 2434
Noble Member
 

Employer health care, Medicare, or go without.

 
Posted : June 3, 2017 4:11 pm
(@vicanuck)
Posts: 2935
Famed Member
 

How do you live there without health insurance? Would love to relocate but can't wrap my head around this:S

We didn't have health insurance for the first 10 years we lived here and didn't worry a bit.

If you or your spouse has citizenship in another country, you can probably get affordable coverage from one of the international expat insurers. I have Cigna Global now but I'm not sure if they are writing new policies in the VI at the moment. There are others.

 
Posted : June 5, 2017 1:41 pm
 lc98
(@lc98)
Posts: 1250
Noble Member
 

How do you live there without health insurance? Would love to relocate but can't wrap my head around this:S

I have Cigna Global now but I'm not sure if they are writing new policies in the VI at the moment. There are others.

They are not.

There is HealthCare International, but it's not traditional insurance (you pay up front and they reimburse you, if your expenses qualify). If you have any sort of pre-existing condition, they won't cover it.

 
Posted : June 6, 2017 9:16 am
(@vicanuck)
Posts: 2935
Famed Member
 

There is HealthCare International, but it's not traditional insurance (you pay up front and they reimburse you, if your expenses qualify). If you have any sort of pre-existing condition, they won't cover it.

There are several others.

 
Posted : June 6, 2017 11:28 am
(@STTsailor)
Posts: 699
Prominent Member
 

Stay healthy my friends.
Best policy ever.

 
Posted : June 6, 2017 4:52 pm
(@Scubadoo)
Posts: 2434
Noble Member
 

Stay healthy my friends.
Best policy ever.

If that works, go to Vegas.

 
Posted : June 7, 2017 12:31 am
 lc98
(@lc98)
Posts: 1250
Noble Member
 

Vicanuck, please name some names! I would love to hear about more options, for any citizenship.

 
Posted : June 7, 2017 12:38 am
(@vicanuck)
Posts: 2935
Famed Member
 

Vicanuck, please name some names! I would love to hear about more options, for any citizenship.

Just Google "expat healthcare policies" and you'll find several.

 
Posted : June 7, 2017 12:21 pm
(@Wilycat)
Posts: 3
New Member
 

Some time back I had reason to call]BCBS. I reached a real person -- she was very knowledgeable & helpful. Just a thought.

 
Posted : June 10, 2017 11:13 pm
(@Fishbait)
Posts: 231
Estimable Member
 

It blows my mind that there is no individual health insurance for US citizens living in the USVI. I am not moving until I am 65 & eligible for Medicare. I found Medicare supplemental through AARP.
Any advice about not needing insurance falls on deaf ears when you are talking about senior citizens. (pun intended)

 
Posted : June 15, 2017 4:42 pm
(@vicanuck)
Posts: 2935
Famed Member
 

If you or your spouse happen to have citizenship in another country or dual citizenship, here is another expat health insurance provider that writes policies in the USVI (I recently got a quote to compare with my existing Cigna Global coverage):

http://americas.msh-intl.com/en/

 
Posted : June 15, 2017 9:15 pm
(@LBMcG)
Posts: 2
New Member
 

I hear ya Fishbait!!!!

 
Posted : June 15, 2017 9:25 pm
(@AandA2VI)
Posts: 2294
Noble Member
 

We have BCBS PPo through OfficeMax. While it's of Illinois they do take it. Honestly I find it's easier just to pay cash for visits and when I need RX as we have. A high deductible and I rarely go to the dr.

I know nothing about Medicare but there's another thread that was posted about it not being offered here either. You're not in Kansas anymore. The price of paradise...

 
Posted : June 18, 2017 2:00 am
(@speee1dy)
Posts: 8867
Illustrious Member
 

medicare is offered here.

 
Posted : June 18, 2017 10:47 am
(@Daval)
Posts: 54
Trusted Member
 

Our Employer sponsored health insurance is BCBS PPO. We had an issue while on the Island in 2016 and it was covered like a regular visit at Alternative Medical on St. Croix. According to my provider finder online, our insurance will still work there at several places. If you have an ACA plan, they will not pay there.

 
Posted : June 28, 2017 5:39 pm
(@watruw8ing4)
Posts: 850
Prominent Member
 

Our Employer sponsored health insurance is BCBS PPO. We had an issue while on the Island in 2016 and it was covered like a regular visit at Alternative Medical on St. Croix. According to my provider finder online, our insurance will still work there at several places. If you have an ACA plan, they will not pay there.

Actually, my ACA plan paid here when I had it. That's up to the insurance company offering the coverage. However, you can't keep your stateside ACA coverage once you become a VI resident.

 
Posted : June 28, 2017 10:56 pm
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