As great as New England is, we all must leave it occasionally. When we do, it’s reassuring to take great healthcare coverage along for the ride, which is why Health Options offers great plans with a national network option.

Kid in college in Santa Cruz? Cool. Regular business trips to Baltimore? No problem. Family cabin on Lake Champlain? Go you! Congratulations on making a wise choice on your healthcare options. Having a plan that travels with you across the country means you’re free to roam - and take your accident-prone teenager with you – no worries.

Community Health Options provides national in-network coverage through First Health®, a nationwide preferred provider organization (PPO) of hospitals, doctors, and other health care providers. This network includes approximately 6,100 hospitals, 130,000 ancillary facilities and 845,000 doctors and other health care providers. By choosing from this list of in-network providers when you travel, you can lower your total cost of care.

Having a national network is one thing, but it’s another to know how to access it. Instead of waiting until you break your ankle on a sidewalk 600 miles from home, learn a few basics now. Use the Health First online provider search tool. It’s simple and available 24/7 and includes detailed information. 

Using your desktop or mobile device, go to https://providerlocator.firsthealth.com/mcho. Next, select a provider type from the options of Physician, Hospital, Urgent Care Center, Lab and Radiology, or All Providers and enter the ZIP code or State where you’re traveling. If you’re a nervous traveler, you may want to test this search function before you reach your destination. For example, a quick search of Urgent Care Centers within 10 miles of Beverly Hills results in 75 options.

Keep your Member card with you when you travel, remember these steps, or call First Health at 1-800-226-5116, and you’re good to go.