In-Network 101: A simple guide to finding the best price and skipping surprise bills | hioscar Blog | Oscar
In-Network 101: A simple guide to finding the best price and skipping surprise bills
Learn how staying in-network helps you get the best prices, skip surprise bills, and make the most of your benefits.
Oscar 101Oscar Member Resources
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Learn how staying in-network helps you get the best prices on healthcare, skip surprise bills, and make the most of your Oscar benefits.
Picking a doctor is a big deal. You want someone who listens, makes you feel better, and maybe even laughs at your jokes. But did you know your choice also changes how much you pay? In the world of insurance, there is a special group of doctors called a "network."
What is "In-Network" anyway?
"In-network" is just another way to say that a doctor, specialist, or hospital has a special deal with Oscar. They’ve signed a contract to give our members a lower, "wholesale" price.
Translation: When you see an in-network provider, you’re getting a major discount before you even walk through the door.
Why it’s smart to stay in-network
Staying in-network is the easiest way to keep things simple and cheap. Here is why it matters:
Smaller bills: Because the price is already set low, the total bill is much smaller.
Oscar pays more: When you stay in-network, Oscar covers a bigger chunk of the cost. That means more money stays in your pocket.
No surprises: In-network doctors promise not to ask you for extra money after Oscar pays our share.
How to find In-Network care
Finding a doctor, lab, or pharmacy in the network is very easy. You can find everything you need with just a click or two. Here is how you do it:
Log In: Visit hioscar.com/member or use the Oscar app to sign in to your account. If you don't have an account yet, you can make one at hioscar.com/register.
Search: Use the search bar at the top of your homepage to look for what you need. You can search for providers by name, or look for specialists, hospitals, facilities, meds, or even a symptom like "ear infections".
Filter: You can narrow your search by things like distance, language, or gender.
Check the Profile: Click on a provider profile to see if they are taking new patients, see their address, and even get a cost estimate for common services.
What if my favorite doctor is out-of-network?
We get it: change is hard! If you’ve been seeing the same doctor for years, switching can feel like a lot. But here is the truth: seeing an out-of-network doctor is like shopping at a store where everything is double the price.
If you choose to see a doctor outside the network, your care may not be covered at all. This means:
You pay the whole bill: You will likely be responsible for the entire cost of the visit out of your own pocket.
No credit for your limit: Your payments usually won't count toward your deductible or your out-of-pocket maximum.
Higher rates: You lose out on the lower, negotiated prices that Oscar members get.
We can help. If your favorite doctor isn't in our network, we can help you find a new one who is just as great but costs a lot less. Our search tool is full of high-quality doctors who are ready to help you save.
Always check network status first!
Even if you’ve seen a doctor for years, their network status can change. While our search tool shows the most up-to-date info, you can also call the doctor's office to double-check. Although it's rare, providers can join or leave a network in the middle of a plan year. Checking first is the best way to make sure you aren't surprised by a big bill later. It only takes a second and feels so good to be sure.
