I have two insurance plans. One is a retiree benefit from municipal employment, which has excellent coverage, but is very regional in nature, mostly accepted around the metro area in which I used to live and work, and a handful in my current location.

The second is a United health plan which my current employer will be switching over to Anthem on May 1. That plan has worse benefits and a higher deductible, but a higher availability of doctors where I currently reside and work. Because of the availability of providers, this has been my primary insurance as of late.

I have a procedure which requires pre authorization scheduled for the first week of May. I’d prefer not to delay it due to insurance delays, and the facility accepts my retiree insurance. Can I make my retiree insurance my primary for this procedure, and then switch to my new Anthem policy as primary when I return home?