Re: Relocation package/benefits
 

For the PPO plans that I had, it seemed that just about all hospitals and doctors were in network. If a PPO pay reimbursements that are similar as other PPOs, almost all doctors and hospitals sign up. I suspect the few doctors that don't are possibly well know specialists that demand more for their services than most specialists in that field. As an example, I had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and I found a specialist on the internet in the area that was considered one of the top 5 specialists in the US in that field and when I called to make an appointment, they said they didn't accept insurance. I decided to make an appointment and bill my PPO but the doctor was less helpful than the other doctors that I had seen (including my FP and Stanford Hospital doctors who were in network).

Re: Relocation package/benefits
 

It gets more complicated than that. Quite often, a lot of the services within the hospital are essentially sub contracting companies that are separate so for example:

See your PCP/GP and you get a blood test, that vial of blood might be stored in a blood company at the hospital till they are ready to do the test, the test could be processed by another company and then another doctor will read the results who will tell your doctor who may call you to give you the results or have you come in again for them at another co-pay, or not. Any one in that chain may or may not be in your network and would cost extra.

There's just no way for you to know that ahead of time though.

Speaking from experience.

You've just got to roll with it.

Re: Relocation package/benefits
 

Sigh. Thank you - I think you're right. I can either obsess about it and try to pre-empt every scenario or, you're right, and I can just roll with it. I choose the latter. Am sure I'll find something else to obsess about instead! Thanks everyone! Really grateful for all your help.

BTW, got our visas approved today so at least that's one thing I can check off my check list!