Interesting. In the few states I looked, there were no PPO plans (including by BCBS). As for hospitals, I guess it's important to know which hospitals are in network near home and anywhere you might be traveling?

Usually in an emergency I don't have the presence of mind to direct the ambulance to the right hospital (in case the emergency turns into an overnight stay), and it's all the more important if the plan doesn't have good (or any) out of network benefits.