--- title: In-Network vs Out-of-Network Providers description: There are all types of health care providers and you probably have some that you prefer over others. Here are some examples of when you may need to check to be sure a provider is within network and why it's important to know who is within your Provider Network (also called in-network). image: https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hubfs/2019%20Nonstop/Blog%20Images/In-Network-vs-Out-of-Network-Providers.jpg --- [![Nonstop](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2022-nonstop/images/Nonstop_Logo-22-Horizontal%20(2).png?width=1501&name=Nonstop_Logo-22-Horizontal%20(2).png "Nonstop")](https://www.nonstophealth.com/) ** - [ Outcomes ](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/in-network-vs-out-of-network-providers#) - [![icon-1](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hubfs/2022-nonstop/images/icon-1.svg) Benefits Nonstop Health can improve benefits and lower costs for employees and employers. ](https://www.nonstophealth.com/benefits) - [![icon-2](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hubfs/2022-nonstop/images/icon-2.svg) Services & Technology Get the most out of your plan with easy administration and usage tracking. ](https://www.nonstophealth.com/services) - [ Resources ](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/in-network-vs-out-of-network-providers#) - [![icon-1](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hubfs/2022-nonstop/images/icon-1.svg) Support Our support team is ready to help, whether you’re an employer, member, or broker. ](https://www.nonstophealth.com/support) - [![icon-3](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hubfs/2022-nonstop/images/icon-3.svg) Case Studies Seeing our solution in action. ](https://offers.nonstophealth.com/case-studies) - [![icon-4](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hubfs/2022-nonstop/images/icon-4.svg) Blog Insights and updates to help navigate the health insurance landscape. ](https://blog.nonstophealth.com) - [![icon-5](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hubfs/2022-nonstop/images/icon-5.svg) Podcasts A collection of conversations built to inspire. ](https://www.nonstophealth.com/podcast) - [![icon-6](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hubfs/2022-nonstop/images/icon-6.svg) Webinar & Guides Insights and resources to help your organization thrive. ](https://offers.nonstophealth.com/resources) - [ About Us ](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/in-network-vs-out-of-network-providers#) - [![icon-7](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hubfs/2022-nonstop/images/icon-7.svg) Our Team Learn about who we are and what drives us. ](https://www.nonstophealth.com/about-us) - [![icon-8](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hubfs/2022-nonstop/images/icon-8.svg) Careers Discover rewarding employment opportunities with Nonstop. ](https://www.nonstophealth.com/careers) - [ Account login ](https://www.nonstophealth.com/alert) - [ For employees ](https://members.prod.nonstophealth.com/) - [ For employers ](https://clients.nonstophealth.com/) - [ For brokers ](https://channel.nonstophealth.com/) - [ Contact Us ](https://www.nonstophealth.com/contact-us) # In-Network vs Out-of-Network Providers ![In-Network vs Out-of-Network Providers](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hubfs/2019%20Nonstop/Blog%20Images/In-Network-vs-Out-of-Network-Providers.jpg) ![In-Network vs Out-of-Network Providers](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2019%20Nonstop/Blog%20Images/In-Network-vs-Out-of-Network-Providers.jpg?width=1000&name=In-Network-vs-Out-of-Network-Providers.jpg) There are all types of health care providers and you probably have some that you prefer over others.  It’s important to know who is within your **Provider Network** (also called **in-network**).  Those are practicing clinicians, pharmacies, and labs associated with your insurance plan. When you receive services in-network they are provided at a discounted rate. While some types of insurance plans will allow you to go **out-of-network**, you could end up paying a significant amount more - or even full price.   Here are some examples of when you may need to check to be sure a provider is within network: 1. You just started a new job and now you’re on a new health insurance plan. Your calendar notifies you that you have your [**annual well-visit or check-up**](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/make-the-most-of-your-routine-health-visits) this week. Your primary care provider proactively scheduled it at your last annual visit. Without thinking about it, you go. You’ve been going to the same primary care provider, specialists, and dentist for years. If these providers are not considered in-network with your new health insurance plan, you could get stuck with a larger bill than you planned for. Hopefully, your health care providers ask if you have any insurance changes and alert you if they are now out-of-network. Unfortunately, that may not happen. 2. You have a hospital stay and see an anesthesiologist, a surgeon, and several other providers. Some of them were in-network and some were not. 3. Your health care provider completes blood work and sends it to a lab, but the lab is out-of-network. 4. You have an x-ray completed with an in-network provider, but the radiologist who reads and interprets the results is out-of-network. In some of these examples, choosing an in-network provider may seem out of your control. Hospital stays and lab work can get dicey. Your best bet is to advocate for yourself as much as possible. If you have a planned visit, check with your health insurance company or the provider to see if they are in-network. Check to make sure that your health care provider is using network providers for any extra services. In the event of a hospital stay or if you are incapacitated, identify a family member to advocate on your behalf.  Any time you have a health insurance change or are referred to a new provider you should check to make sure they are in your provider network. Most health insurance companies and plans allow you to find this information through your customer portal on their website. You can also go the more traditional route and call your health insurance company OR the health care provider directly. **Ready to explore a better way to offer health insurance for your nonprofit? ** **[Join our webinar!](https://offers.nonstopwellness.com/webinar/nonprofits/partial-self-insurance)** [![REGISTER NOW](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/569324/dc5580e8-0bde-41ae-be65-7cb150aa32c9.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/569324/dc5580e8-0bde-41ae-be65-7cb150aa32c9) Resource: - [healthychildren.org](http://www.healthychildren.org) The information and materials herein are provided for general information purposes only and are not intended to constitute legal or other advice or opinions on any specific matters and are not intended to replace the advice of a qualified attorney, plan provider or other professional advisor. This information has been taken from sources believed to be reliable, but there is no guarantee as to its accuracy. 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