Florida Domicile Illinois Residency - Health Insurance

[dougmcc1]

I'm a current resident of Illinois with an Illinois drivers license and BCBS of Illinois healthcare coverage . But I'm spending the cold winter months in Florida.

I want to buy a motorcycle, which requires getting a Florida drivers license because Illinois wont accept the motorcycle course certification from Florida, and because Illinois has stopped doing motorcycle certifications for the winter (so I cant just fly back to IL to get motorcycle certified).

In order to get a Florida drivers license, I have to establish a domicile which I'm doing through Escapees. 

But what about my health insurance? If I establish a domicile in Florida, with a Florida drivers license, and Florida vehicle registration, do I have to move my health insurance from Illinois to Florida as well? Or can I keep my Illinois residence as my primary residence and the Florida domicile as a secondary residence/vacation home?

I want to make sure that if I get hurt in Florida, that my Illinois residence will still cover it, and not deny any claims due to me "moving" to Florida.

Do I have to move my insurance to Florida in order to be covered here over the winter months?

In the spring I plan to travel to other states rather than going back to Illinois. So would I then have to establish domiciles/residences in those states in order to be covered there? 

Or can I just keep my Illinois residence as my main residence no matter where I travel, and be covered in all states under the Illinois healthcare plan?

Edited December 29, 2022 by dougmcc1

[Kirk W]

1 hour ago, dougmcc1 said:

But what about my health insurance? If I establish a domicile in Florida, with a Florida drivers license, and Florida vehicle registration, do I have to move my health insurance from Illinois to Florida as well? Or can I keep my Illinois residence as my primary residence and the Florida domicile as a secondary residence/vacation home?

You can only have one domicile and that would mean that you need to move all of your key business activity to FL or where ever you claim to be your domicile. You do not move things each time that you travel but maintain them in the location that you intend to return to when you stop traveling. I suggest that you start by reading this article.

Domicile for RVers: Does It Matter?

[ms60ocb]

6 hours ago, dougmcc1 said:

I want to buy a motorcycle, which requires getting a Florida drivers license because Illinois wont accept the motorcycle course certification from Florida, and because Illinois has stopped doing motorcycle certifications for the winter

I can't believe Illinois has stopped doing motorcycle certifications for the winter. Lots of people are able to ride motorcycles year round (expect a few weeks in winter) in extreme southern  Illinois. Does Illinois recognize any independent organizations for certification. Does Illinois honor any other states

What do Illinois dealers do, should you buy the bike in Illinois, say NO, you can't purchase. I suggest to talk to a dealer in Marion, IL or Paducah KY .  What does your insurance say about the situation..

Clay, I left IL 8 years ago

Edited December 30, 2022 by ms60ocb
Word added

[Ray,IN]

Insurance coverage depends entirely upon which type you contracted, an HMO usually only covers localized medical care(it's the zip code thing you hear on TV), generally a PPO will cover you wherever you happen to require medical care.

IMO what you are consdering might get you in trouble with ILL if you retain any property you own there.

Then there's always the option of not purchasing a motorcycle in Florida to eliminate this dilemma. 

[sandsys]

On 12/29/2022 at 2:57 PM, dougmcc1 said:

n order to get a Florida drivers license, I have to establish a domicile which I'm doing through Escapees.

A domicile or an address? If Florida just needs an address you could give them your SKP address but leave your domicile in Illinois.

Linda

[2gypsies]

24 minutes ago, sandsys said:

A domicile or an address? If Florida just needs an address you could give them your SKP address but leave your domicile in Illinois.

Linda

https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/what-to-bring/u-s-citizen/

[Blues]

On 1/1/2023 at 8:43 PM, Ray,IN said:

Insurance coverage depends entirely upon which type you contracted, an HMO usually only covers localized medical care(it's the zip code thing you hear on TV), generally a PPO will cover you wherever you happen to require medical care.

Many PPOs (maybe even most, these days) have only a local network, and won't cover routine care when you're outside that area.  The only difference between them and an HMO is that you don't need referrals for specialists; you still have to stay within the network for routine care.

To the OP:  What type of Blue Cross plan do you have?  Is it an HMO or a PPO?  If it's a PPO, does it provide access to the Blue Card Program?  If so, you will have access to network providers while you are in Florida, or elsewhere in the United States.

https://www.bcbsil.com/member/why-choose-us/blue-card

[sandsys]

2 hours ago, Blues said:

Many PPOs (maybe even most, these days) have only a local network, and won't cover routine care when you're outside that area.  The only difference between them and an HMO is that you don't need referrals for specialists; you still have to stay within the network for routine care.

To the OP:  What type of Blue Cross plan do you have?  Is it an HMO or a PPO?  If it's a PPO, does it provide access to the Blue Card Program?  If so, you will have access to network providers while you are in Florida, or elsewhere in the United States.

https://www.bcbsil.com/member/why-choose-us/blue-card

You need to be carful about comparing even within Blue Cross. Blue Cross of South Dakota is famous for not playing well with others.

Linda

[Blues]

23 hours ago, sandsys said:

You need to be carful about comparing even within Blue Cross. Blue Cross of South Dakota is famous for not playing well with others.

That's why I asked for the specifics on the OP's plan.  The key is determining whether the plan includes the Blue Card Program. 

To the OP:  Look at your Blue Cross ID card.  Is there a symbol (probably in the lower right corner) that looks like a suitcase with "PPO" in it?  If so, that means your plan is part of the Blue Card program.

It could be that you have a suitcase that is empty, and doesn't have "PPO" in it.  I don't really understand what that represents, so if you have that, you need to contact BCBS to find out what it means.  But I do know that the "PPO in a suitcase" logo means the policy is part of the Blue Card Program, and the Blue Card Program provides access to a nationwide network of providers, which can be used when you're away from home.  You just show your Illinois BCBS card that has the PPO in a suitcase logo to the Florida doctor you find using Blue Card's provider search, and as far as you'll be aware, your claim is processed just the same as if you were seeing an Illinois doctor back home.