Through the BlueCard program, members of a Blue Cross Blue Shield plan from any state can be seen in network by providers contracted with Anthem in Virginia. That includes this practice.
Blue Cross Blue Shield is not a single national insurer. It is an association of independent companies, each covering its own region. Anthem is the Blue plan for Virginia. CareFirst covers Maryland and DC. There are others in every state.
BlueCard is the program that ties them together. When you see a provider who is contracted with the local Blue plan, your visit is processed at that plan’s in-network rates, then routed back to your home plan for payment. You do not need to switch insurers, and you do not need to find a provider licensed in your old state.
This matters in Northern Virginia more than almost anywhere. People move here for a job, keep the coverage they had, and then assume they have to start over to find care. Often they do not.
This is the part worth understanding before you book, because it is where people get surprised.
A BlueCard claim takes a slightly different path than a local one, which changes a couple of practical details.
Bring the whole card
We need the three-character prefix at the start of your member ID. That prefix tells us which home plan to route the claim to, and a claim without it will not process.
Explanation of benefits comes from home
Your EOB arrives from your original state’s plan, not from Anthem, even though the visit happened in Virginia. This confuses people, so expect it.
Claims can take a little longer
A BlueCard claim travels between two plans, so it may settle more slowly than a straight Anthem claim. Nothing is wrong if it takes an extra couple of weeks.
Licensure still applies
We can see you when you are physically located in Virginia. That is a licensing rule, separate from insurance. If you travel out of state regularly, we should talk about how to schedule around it.
Most likely yes, if your plan is a PPO. CareFirst is the Blue plan for Maryland and DC, and through BlueCard your PPO benefits travel with you into Virginia. Call the number on your card and ask about out-of-state outpatient behavioral health.
Not necessarily. If your coverage comes through an employer, you generally keep the plan your employer offers regardless of which state you live in. BlueCard exists precisely so that plan still works locally.
Under BlueCard PPO you are charged the local in-network rate, and your home plan applies your normal in-network cost sharing. You should not pay out-of-network prices.
It is the first three characters of your member ID, before the numbers. It identifies your home Blue plan. Without it a claim cannot be routed, so we ask for a photo of both sides of your card.
Yes, as long as you are physically in Virginia at the time of the visit. Psychiatric visits here are conducted by secure video rather than by telephone.
Call your home plan first. EPO plans frequently limit out-of-area care to emergencies, which would mean routine visits here are not covered. It is better to find that out before your first appointment than after.
You moved. Your care does not have to start over.
We accept National PPO BlueCard, so a Blue Cross plan from another state can often be used in network right here in Virginia.
If you are in crisis right now, please do not wait for an appointment.
Call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Free, confidential, available 24/7.
For emergencies, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
Alice Tran Psychiatric Care does not operate 24/7 and does not provide crisis services. Emails, voicemails, text or portal messages are typically responded to within 24 to 72 business hours.