Jeffrey Wade
The Federal Employee Program (FEP) is a government-wide Service Benefit Plan administered by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association on behalf of Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans. FEP is a commercial insurance plan that provides federal employees, retirees, and their families with health care benefits. The program offers a range of services, including telehealth, overseas coverage, and access to a large network of doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies. With over 5.7 million members, FEP is committed to providing quality health care coverage and an enhanced member experience, especially for those living and working abroad.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Administered by | Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association |
| Open to | Everyone eligible to enroll under the FEHB Program |
| Coverage | Health care, including telehealth services, for federal employees, retirees, and their families |
| Number of members | 5.7 million |
| Network | Over 2 million doctors and hospitals, over 55,000 retail pharmacies |
| International coverage | Yes, through GeoBlue |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
FEP is comparable to commercial insurance
The Federal Employee Program (FEP) is a health insurance program for federal employees and retirees in the United States. It is comparable to commercial insurance in several ways.
Firstly, FEP provides comprehensive health care coverage, including inpatient and outpatient services, prescription drug coverage, and preventive care. This is similar to the coverage offered by many commercial insurance plans. FEP also has a wide network of providers, including over 2 million doctors and hospitals, as well as over 55,000 retail pharmacies. This extensive network ensures that members have convenient access to healthcare services, much like commercial insurance plans that offer a choice of providers.
Another way FEP is comparable to commercial insurance is through its overseas coverage. The FEP Overseas Program, in collaboration with GeoBlue®, provides international health insurance coverage in more than 190 countries. This allows members to receive quality healthcare while living, working, or travelling outside the United States, similar to the global coverage offered by some commercial insurance plans.
In addition, FEP offers a range of tools and services to help members make informed choices about their healthcare. For example, the AskBlueSM FEP Medical Plan Finder tool assists members in selecting the right option for their needs. FEP also provides telehealth services, allowing members to receive treatment for minor injuries and illnesses, mental health support, and other services by phone or video. These types of tools and services are often available through commercial insurance plans as well, enabling individuals to actively manage their healthcare.
While FEP and commercial insurance share some similarities, there are also differences to consider. FEP is specifically designed for federal employees and retirees, and its benefits and premiums are negotiated with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Additionally, FEP may have different exclusions and coordination of benefits with other sources of coverage, such as a spouse's health plan or Medicare, as outlined in the FEHB (Federal Employees Health Benefits) Program. Overall, while FEP shares some characteristics with commercial insurance, it is tailored to meet the unique needs of the federal workforce and their families.
Smart Ways to Invest in Insurance
You may want to see also
Explore related products
FEP is administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association
FEP, or the Federal Employee Program, is a health insurance program administered by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is a federation of 35 independent, locally operated Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield companies that provide healthcare coverage in the United States.
The FEP Blue Standard and FEP Blue Basic Options are sponsored and administered by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and participating Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans. The FEP is a fee-for-service plan that provides health coverage to federal employees, retirees, and their families. It is underwritten by participating Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans (Local Plans) that administer the program in their individual localities.
The FEP is committed to providing quality healthcare coverage to federal employees, offering a range of benefits, including coverage for annual physicals, immunizations, screenings, and telehealth services. The program also provides coverage for federal employees working or travelling outside the U.S. and offers a Medicare Prescription Drug Program.
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan's FEP Blue Focus uses a closed formulary, and members receive an FEP Blue Focus identification card that covers pharmacy and medical benefits. The FEP Blue Focus formulary contains a comprehensive list of drugs under all therapeutic categories, with some exceptions for noncovered items and certain FDA-approved drugs with generic equivalents.
The FEP is a trusted choice for federal employees, offering comprehensive health coverage and benefits through its partnership with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and its participating local plans.
Who Pays for Unemployment Insurance and How?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
FEP covers federal employees, retirees and their families
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program (FEP) is a health insurance program for federal employees, retirees, and their families. It is the #1 health insurance choice for federal employees, covering roughly 5.7 million federal employees out of the more than 8.5 million people who receive their benefits through the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program.
FEP has been providing quality health care coverage to federal employees, retirees, and their families since 1960. The program includes comprehensive health coverage, such as fully covered vision care exams, a frame allowance, and a Medicare Prescription Drug Program. FEP also provides access to over 2 million doctors and hospitals, as well as over 55,000 retail pharmacies. In addition, FEP offers telehealth services for minor injuries and illnesses, mental health support, dermatology care, and more.
FEP is committed to providing federal employees and their families with some of the best health care benefits possible. The program is designed to evolve with the changing health needs of its members, which is why 99% of members stay with FEP year after year. FEP also offers a user-friendly free app that makes it easy to search for in-network providers, pharmacies, and urgent care centers.
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association negotiates annually with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to determine the benefits and premiums for the FEP Service Benefit Plan. Local Blue Cross Blue Shield companies are the primary points of contact for Service Benefit Plan members and are responsible for processing claims and providing customer service.
In addition to health insurance, FEP also offers dental coverage options for federal employees, retirees, and eligible retired uniformed service members.
Commercial Insurance: Choosing the Right Coverage for Your Business
You may want to see also
Explore related products
FEP offers overseas coverage
FEP, or the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program, offers overseas coverage to roughly 5.7 million federal employees, retirees, and their families. The program has been providing quality health care coverage since 1960, with 99% of members staying with them year after year.
FEP's overseas coverage includes:
- Waived cost-share for primary care, certain specialist visits, and outpatient emergency room services.
- Reimbursement for claims in local currency or US dollars.
- Copays and coinsurance amounts that are typically the same as they would be in the US.
- Access to over 11,000 overseas providers, including hospitals, clinics, doctors, and specialists, many of whom have direct billing arrangements with FEP's Overseas Assistance Center vendor, GeoBlue.
- Language translation and foreign currency conversion services for overseas claims.
- Assistance with overseas provider referrals, billing, and emergency medical evacuations.
Pharmacy coverage also works outside the US. However, because there are no preferred retail pharmacies overseas, prescriptions must be paid for out-of-pocket, and then FEP will reimburse the cost upon submitting the receipts and a completed claim form. Overseas prescription drug claims must be submitted within one year of the purchase date.
The FEP Medicare Prescription Drug Program (MPDP) is not available outside the US or US territories, so prescription drugs purchased overseas cannot be reimbursed under this program. However, members living overseas can purchase drugs from an overseas pharmacy as long as they are shipped to their overseas address.
For members who need assistance finding a pharmacy while travelling outside the country, FEP provides 24/7 assistance by calling 1-800-624-5060. FEP Blue Standard and FEP Blue Basic members with Medicare Part B primary can also take advantage of the Mail Service Pharmacy benefit, which allows them to order prescription drugs by mail if certain conditions are met.
Unexpected Inheritance: Beneficiary's Gift and Your Options
You may want to see also
FEP includes over 2 million doctors and hospitals
FEP, or the Federal Employee Program, is a health insurance option for federal employees, retirees, and their families. It is offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield and has been providing quality health care coverage since 1960. FEP includes a network of over 2 million doctors and hospitals, as well as over 55,000 retail pharmacies in the US. This extensive network ensures that members have a wide range of options for their healthcare needs.
The large number of medical professionals and hospitals in the FEP network demonstrates the program's commitment to providing accessible and comprehensive healthcare to its members. With such a vast network, members can be confident that they will be able to find the right doctor or specialist for their specific needs without having to travel excessive distances. This accessibility is a crucial aspect of the program's appeal, as it ensures that members can conveniently access the healthcare services they require.
The FEP network includes a diverse range of medical professionals, including primary care physicians, specialists, and hospitals that cater to various medical needs. This diversity allows members to seek care for a wide range of health concerns, from routine check-ups to specialized treatments. The network also includes retail pharmacies, further enhancing the convenience and accessibility of the program by providing members with easy access to their prescription medications.
In addition to the extensive network of healthcare providers, FEP also offers a variety of other benefits to its members. These include overseas coverage for those working or travelling outside the US, telehealth services for minor injuries and illnesses, mental health support, and dermatology care. FEP also provides incentives for members to maintain and improve their health, such as wellness incentives for participating in healthy activities and exclusive discounts on footwear, fitness gear, and travel.
The Federal Employee Program's inclusion of over 2 million doctors and hospitals in its network showcases its dedication to providing federal employees, retirees, and their families with a comprehensive and accessible healthcare solution. This extensive network, combined with the additional benefits offered by FEP, contributes to its high satisfaction rates, with 99% of members choosing to stay with the program year after year.
The Curious Case of Roof Ages: Unraveling the Why Behind Insurance Adjusters' Interest
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
FEP stands for Federal Employee Program, which is a health insurance program administered by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association on behalf of Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans nationwide.
FEP is open to everyone eligible to enroll under the FEHB (Federal Employees Health Benefits) Program. Some plans are open to all federal employees and annuitants, while others are restricted to employees in certain occupational groups and agencies.
FEP provides comprehensive health care coverage to federal employees, retirees, and their families. This includes access to over 2 million doctors and hospitals, over 55,000 retail pharmacies, and overseas coverage for those working or traveling outside the U.S.
If an enrollee has health insurance coverage from another source, such as a spouse's health plan or Medicare, coordination of benefits will take place. The enrollee must disclose information about the other source of benefits to their plan, and Medicare always makes the final determination as to whether it is the primary payer.
