WASHINGTON, September 29, 2023 – Nearly six million federal workers, retirees and their families will have access to a new Medicare prescription program along with mental health counseling and expanded fertility services, through benefit improvements announced today by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) Government-wide Service Benefit Plan, also known as the Federal Employee Program® (FEP®). FEP announced innovative benefits changes and premiums for eligible participants in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program and the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) for 2024.

"The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program remains focused on delivering innovative solutions that make health care more accessible and affordable for our members," said David Yoder, senior vice president of the Federal Employee Program at the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. "I’m excited to share these changes that will help ease the burden of health care expenses while improving access to high-quality care for federal employees, retirees and their families."

FEP 2024 Highlights

Introduction of FEP Medicare Prescription Drug Program

FEP members with Medicare Part A and/or Part B will be eligible to enroll in a new Medicare Part D drug plan that offers additional approved prescription drugs in some tiers and lower out-of-pocket costs for high-cost drugs, with no separate premium.

Expanded Access to Mental Health Care

FEP will cover marital and family counseling, providing another option for families seeking mental health support.

Enhanced Fertility Services

Standard Option members will have an additional benefit that covers Assisted Reproductive Technology services. FEP will provide new benefits for FEP Blue Focus, Basic Option and Standard Option members covering artificial insemination procedures with prior approval including intracervical insemination (ICI), intrauterine insemination (IUI) and intravaginal insemination (IVI). These procedures often require oral and injectable drugs. FEP will cover these drugs for covered artificial insemination procedures, as well as drugs for in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures for someone diagnosed with infertility.

New Overseas Assistance Center Vendor

GeoBlue is FEP’s new partner selected to administer the benefits and services for our overseas members and will assist them with finding a provider, cashless access/direct billing arrangements, emergency medical evacuations and translation services.

Updated Dental Benefits

BCBS FEP Dental has expanded our benefits to cover two routine oral exams and one additional exam if a problem happens between checkups every year. 2024 benefits will also cover nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for children five and under and other individuals with a medical condition that may require it.

2024 Approved Rates:

FEP Blue Focus:

• Self Only biweekly premiums will be $55.30
• Self Plus One biweekly premiums will be $118.88
• Self and Family biweekly premiums will be $130.76

Basic Option:

• Self Only biweekly premiums will be $95.74
• Self Plus One biweekly premiums will be $238.63
• Self and Family biweekly premiums will be $262.60

Standard Option:

• Self Only biweekly premiums will be $150.79
• Self Plus One biweekly premiums will be $336.84
• Self and Family biweekly premiums will be $370.68

Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Vision® Premiums in 2024:

High Option:

• Self Only biweekly premiums will be $5.63
• Self Plus One biweekly premiums will be $11.25
• Self and Family biweekly premiums will be $16.88

Standard Option:

• Self Only biweekly premiums will be $3.53
• Self Plus One biweekly premiums will be $7.05
• Self and Family biweekly premiums will be $10.58

Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Dental® Premiums in 2024^*

High Option:

• Self Only biweekly premiums will be $18.39
• Self Plus One biweekly premiums will be $36.77
• Self and Family biweekly premiums will be $55.16

Standard Option:

• Self Only biweekly premiums will be $9.87
• Self Plus One biweekly premiums will be $19.75
• Self and Family biweekly premiums will be $29.62

^*BCBS FEP Dental rates depend upon the rate region in which a member lives. The rates presented here are for BCBS FEP Dental’s most populous region, Region 1. Please go to bcbsfepdental.com to see the full list of regional rates.

All changes will take effect Jan. 1, 2024. Eligible participants will make their coverage decisions during Open Season, which runs from November 13 through December 11, 2023. Federal employees, annuitants and their family members are eligible for coverage through the FEHB Program, while FEDVIP is available to federal employees and annuitants, certain retired uniformed service members, and active-duty family members.

Additional information about 2024 benefits and services is available online or by calling the following numbers:

• BCBS FEP: 1-800-411-BLUE (2583)
• BCBS FEP Dental: 1-855-504-BLUE (2583)
• BCBS FEP Vision: 1-888-550-BLUE (2583)

About the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan (FEP®)

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan, also known as the Federal Employee Program® (FEP®), has been part of the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program since its inception in 1960. It covers roughly 5.6 million federal employees, retirees and their families out of the more than 8.5 million people who receive their benefits through the FEHB Program. 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 Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan. The 34 local member companies of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association are the primary points of contact for Service Benefit Plan members. They are responsible for processing claims and providing customer service to our members. To locate the address and telephone number for a local Blue Cross and Blue Shield company, please visit fepblue.org/contact-us.