Medical coverage question when traveling

You need a PPO policy, that lets you go to any provider.
A HMO policy limits the providers to those in their network and they are usually geographically restrictive.
Simple - PPO

Blue cross is a ppo with nationwide covrrage. I have had claims quickly paid from Texas, washington state and Alaska. Am now using their plan c Medicare supplement and could not be happier

Take a look at something like SkyMed

We have never had to use it - knock on wood - but it is good for peace of mind.

Don't know the specifics of your situation, but I have been full-timing for almost 8 years and have health insurance through my employer based on SD as my domicile (where I don't live). I have never received any health care services while in SD and I have never been denied any healthcare services in any other state.

Not to get too personal, but I have two regular doctors, dentists and dermatologists - one of each located in FL and CA. I go to whichever is most convenient based on where I am in the country. If I have ever been in some other area and needed a specialist or emergency care, I got what I needed without issue.

Yes, often I get on an airplane to go see my regular healthcare professionals. Fortunately it is not an overly frequent thing. The way I look at it is I don't have to travel for vacation, as full-timing lets me go wherever I please whenever I please, so that is my trade-off.

Also was surprised to learn that I can claim a large part of my medical travel expenses against my flexible spending account, so pre-tax dollars and lessening the impact a bit.

Sounds like an HMO. When retired medicare is great insurance anywhere but our dr said never never consign it to an HMO. If you do you will regret it at some point later. JMHO. Not sure but sounds like what you have and the regret is starting to happen. My medicare and Blue Cross secondary is good any where any time. Short story. We had an HMO several years ago. DW diagnosed with problems origin unknown. Once out of HMO the origin was all of a sudden discovered. MS. The HMO didn't want that diagnosis because meds are very expensive. DRs think DW had it for years while under HMO care. Amazing! If you have an HMO get out of it and get good treatment anywhere. JMHO