Having a BCBS plan from a different state?

I live in MA and work for a very company headquarter in NJ and MA with employees all over the country. For some reason, even though I live in MA, we all have BCBS of New Jersey.

I needed a prior authorization for an iron infusion (given at a clinic) and it has been a nightmare. My doctor called the # on the back of the card and they are told they need to access a provider portal that they don’t have access to because my doc is in MA and usually works with BCBS MA.

I have been on the phone and messaging with bcbs of New Jersey and my doctor every other day for 3.5 weeks and there is STILL no clear answers.

On the back of my card, it does say providers should make claims through their local bcbs. Maybe the mistake was having them ever call the # on my card?

My questions: 1) how normal is it for an employer to have an out of state plan?!? My doctor is part of a huge medical organization, it seems like I’m the first person they have seen with an out of state card 2) from now on, should I just tell my docs to file all prior authorizations to bcbs ma?

submitted by /u/floating5
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