It’s all about FEP Blue Insurance, let’s go then.
For 60 years, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service(BCBS) Benefit Plan, also known as the Federal Employee Program—or simply FEP—has provided health insurance to the federal employee workforce.
BCBS are proud to have been part of the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program since its inception in 1960.
Today, FEP covers over 5.5 million federal employees, retirees and their families across the U.S. and overseas.
All members choose FEP as a No.1 choice of health insurance because FEP offers the benefits and coverage they need most, like access to our Preferred provider network that includes more doctors, hospitals and specialists than any other network.
It’s also because in everything they do, their members’ health and well-being always come first. From their rewarding incentive programs to innovative tools and resources that put care at their fingertips.
This has helped make FEP the number one health insurance choice for federal employees, and why 99% of their members choose to stay with them year after year.
Table of Contents
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) is the trade association for the independent, locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield member companies.
BCBSA negotiates annually with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to determine the benefits and premiums for the Service Benefit Plan.
The 34 local member companies of the BCBSA are the primary points of contact for Service Benefit Plan members.
They are responsible for processing claims and providing customer service to our members.
BCBSA corporate headquarters are located at 225 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60601.
FEP Blue Health Insurance Plans
Now, let see Fep Health Insurance Plans. They have Three Health Plans which meet your healthcare needs, Fep Standard Option, Fep Basic Options and Fep Blue Focus.
They have been committed to providing quality healthcare coverage to federal employees, retirees and their families since 1960.
It’s also because they offer the coverage you need most, including:
- Free preventive care like your annual physical, flu shots, nutritional counseling and cancer screenings
- Two free virtual visits with Teladoc® so you can get treatment for minor injuries and illnesses, mental health support, dermatology care and more by phone or video
- Overseas coverage that keeps you protected when working or traveling outside the U.S.
- Wellness incentives that reward you for taking charge of your health
You also get access to their Preferred provider network that includes more doctors, hospitals and specialists than any other network. And you never need a referral to see a specialist.
With three benefit plans to choose from, you can get the coverage that fits your needs and budget.
As a Preferred Provider Organization, or PPO, Fep has a network of doctors, hospitals and facilities that have contracted with them to provide medical services at a discounted rate.
You’ll pay less if you see someone in the Fep network.
Fep also has a network of over 57,000 Preferred pharmacies nationwide to fill your prescriptions.
Standard Option members can also get access to their Mail Service Pharmacy Program that delivers prescription drugs right to your home.
Basic Option members with Medicare Part B primary can also get access to their Mail Service Pharmacy Program.
FEP Standard Option Plan
Benefits at a glance:
- In and Out-of-Network Care
- Preferred Drug Coverage
- Non-Preferred Drug Coverage
- Access to Mail Service Pharmacy
- Standard Option Generic Incentive Program
Switch to a generic medication and FEP waive your coinsurance for your first four prescription fills or refills.
You must visit a Preferred retail pharmacy or fill through the Mail Service Pharmacy Program.
2022 Standard Option Rates
| Enrollment Code | Bi-weekly | Monthly |
| Self Only (104) | $127.47 | $276.19 |
| Self + 1 (106) | $289.61 | $627.49 |
| Self & Family (105) | $314.11 | $680.57 |
These rates do not apply to all enrolls. If you are in a special enrollment category, contact the agency or Tribal employer that manages your health benefits enrollment.
Get prescriptions delivered right to your door
All Standard Option members get access to our Mail Service Pharmacy Program. It’s a convenient way to get any prescription drugs you take regularly sent to your home.
FEP Basic Option Plan
Benefits at a glance:
- In-network care only
- Preferred drug coverage
- Medicare Part B Reimbursement
- Access to Mail Service Pharmacy with Medicare Part B
- No deductible
With Basic Option, you must see Preferred providers to get care. But there are no deductibles or expenditure amounts you must reach before we pay our share.
2022 Basic Option Rates
| Enrollment Code | Bi-weekly | Monthly |
| Self Only (111) | $80.18 | $173.73 |
| Self + 1 (113) | $196.13 | $424.95 |
| Self & Family (112) | $212.29 | $459.96 |
These rates do not apply to all enrolls. If you are in a special enrollment category, contact the agency or Tribal employer that manages your health benefits enrollment.
Use the FEP National Doctor and Hospital Finder tool to see if your current doctor is in their Preferred provider network or to find a specialist, retail clinic or urgent care center near you.
Each member of a Basic Option plan who has Medicare Part A and Part B can get reimbursed up to $800 per year for paying their Medicare Part B premiums.
FEP Blue Focus Plan
Benefits at a glance:
- In-network care only
- Your first 10 primary care and specialist visits for just $10 each
- Preferred drug coverage only
- A reward for getting your annual physical
- Three levels of benefits
Core Benefits
Core benefits provide preventive care coverage, like annual checkups, vaccines and screenings, virtual doctor visits, urgent care, generic drugs, acupuncture and chiropractor visits.
Non-core Benefits
Non-core benefits include services like any primary care and specialist visits beyond the first ten doctor visits, lab and diagnostic services, allergy treatments, hospital services and emergency care you may need.
Wrap Benefits
Wrap benefits cover home healthcare, maternity facility charges and physical therapy.
2022 FEP Blue Focus Rates
| Enrollment Code | Bi-weekly | Monthly |
| Self Only (131) | $53.14 | $115.15 |
| Self + 1 (133) | $114.25 | $247.55 |
| Self & Family (132) | $125.67 | $272.29 |
These rates do not apply to all enrolls. If you are in a special enrollment category, contact the agency or Tribal employer that manages your health benefits enrollment.
BCBS FEP Dental
A healthy smile is an important part of your overall health. That’s why BCBS FEP Dental offers the supplemental coverage you and your family need to keep your teeth healthy, including three free cleanings a year.
FEP are proud to offer their coverage to federal employees and retirees plus eligible retired uniformed service members.
In FEP blue dental provider login, you will find the all dental providers information.
These benefits are neither offered nor guaranteed under contract with the FEHB Program but are made available to all enrolls and family members who become members of BCBS FEP Dental.
BCBS FEP Blue Dental offers more benefits that make you smile:
- Free in-network preventive care, including up to three dental cleanings a year
- A large nationwide network with over 488,000 provider access points
- No deductibles for in-network services like fillings and root canals
- Benefits starting from day one of your coverage being active
- An unlimited annual benefit with our High Option
- Benefits that work overseas
- Access to health and wellness discounts with Blue365
Two Dental plan options
High Option
- Three free cleanings a year
- Unlimited annual maximum for in-network benefits
- $3,000 annual maximum for out-of-network benefits
Standard Option
- Three free cleanings a year
- $1,500 annual maximum for in-network benefits
- $750 annual maximum for out-of-network benefits
BCBS FEP Vision
Healthy eyes and clear vision are important parts of your overall health and quality of life. With BCBS FEP Vision, get supplemental vision coverage that helps you care for your future.
FEP offers their coverage to federal employees and retirees plus eligible retired uniformed service members enrolled in a TRICARE health plan, their dependents and the dependents of uniformed service members.
These benefits are neither offered nor guaranteed under contract with the FEHB Program but are made available to all enrolls and family members who become members of BCBS FEP Vision.
BCBS FEP Blue Vision offers the coverage you want:
- Free comprehensive vision care exams for all members
- Access to over 117,000 eye care providers nationwide, including Visionworks, LensCrafters, Costco, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target Optical, Pearle Vision and more
- An extensive fully covered Exclusive Collection of frames
- A $200 frame allowance with our High Option that covers about 90% of national retailers’ frames in full
- Benefits that work overseas
- Access to health and wellness discounts from Blue365
Two great plan options
High Option
- Free vision care exams
- Free frames OR contact lenses
- Fully covered frames from the BCBS FEP Vision Exclusive Collection
- $200 frame allowance for any frame outside of the Exclusive Collection
- 20% off frames over $200 at select nationwide retailers
Standard Option
- Free vision care exams
- Free frames OR contact lenses
- Fully covered BCBS FEP Vision Collection frames
- $140 frame allowance
- 20% off frames over $140 at selection nationwide retailers
Changes and Update for 2023
There are some changes and updates in plans and services for 2023.
Replacement Member ID Cards
All current Service Benefit Plan contract holders will receive replacement member ID cards in the mail in the first few months of 2023. These member ID cards will include a few benefit details and updated contact information.
If you have the fepblue app or a MyBlue account, you can view the digital version of your updated member ID card now.
Changes to all of FEP plans
Health and wellness updates
- Blue365 Discount Program now includes new and exciting discounts, including a new travel insurance benefit, GeoBlue.
- FEP expanded the selection of free breast pumps available for members who are pregnant or nursing. Each breast pump will come with a selection of milk storage bags.
- Fep will cover group counseling (in addition to individual) used for the prevention or reduction of health risks, such as group nutritional counseling.
Medical benefit updates
- FEP Blue increased the out-of-pocket maximum for all three plans. The individual out-of-pocket maximum will increase by $1,000 and the family (Self + 1 and Self & Family) out-of-pocket maximum will increase by $2,000 for each plan.
- EKGs will be covered under your regular medical benefits instead of your preventive benefits.
Pharmacy changes
- FEP will cover tubeless insulin pumps under your pharmacy benefit. Standard and Basic Option members will pay either a Tier 2 or 3 copay; FEP Blue Focus members will pay a Tier 2 copay. Previously, these were only covered under your durable medical equipment benefit.
- The Specialty Pharmacy Program will be administered by CVS Caremark. Previously it was administered by AllianceRx Walgreens Prime.
Plan-specific changes
Standard Option Changes
- Kidney transplants are being added to Blue Distinction Center transplant programs.
- For FEP’s pregnant members, they are updating the items included in the Pregnancy Care Box that’s part of FEP Pregnancy Care Incentive Program.
- FEP also made changes to our approved drug lists (formularies).
Basic Option Changes
- Kidney transplants are being added to Blue Distinction Center transplant programs.
- For FEP pregnant members, they are updating the items included in the Pregnancy Care Box that’s part of FEP Pregnancy Care Incentive Program.
- FEP increased the specialty drug (Tier 4 and 5) copays for drugs you purchase through the Retail Pharmacy Program. The copays match what you would pay through the Specialty Pharmacy Program.
- You will pay $30 for dental evaluations, and then 30% of our allowance for all other dental care resulting from an accidental injury. Previously you paid $30 for all covered accidental injury dental care services.
- FEP also made changes to our approved drug lists (formularies).
If you want to read more about FEP, then visit FEPBlue login official website.
FEP Blue QNA
- Is BCBS the same as BCBS FEP?
Yes, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan, also known as the Federal Employee Program—or simply FEP.
2. What does FEP stand for in health insurance?
FEP stands for Federal Employee Program.
