Interesting. In the few states I looked, there were no PPO plans (including by BCBS). As for hospitals, I guess it's important to know which hospitals are in network near home and anywhere you might be traveling?
Usually in an emergency I don't have the presence of mind to direct the ambulance to the right hospital (in case the emergency turns into an overnight stay), and it's all the more important if the plan doesn't have good (or any) out of network benefits.
In an emergency, all hospitals/doctors/facilities are treated as if in network, so you would not have to direct the ambulance to the in network hospital.
I don’t think so, if you get discharged from the hospital under your own recognizance, you are no longer in an emergency. If you are not discharged, then how could they argue it is not an emergency?
Usually in an emergency I don't have the presence of mind to direct the ambulance to the right hospital (in case the emergency turns into an overnight stay), and it's all the more important if the plan doesn't have good (or any) out of network benefits.