Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® Federal Employee Program® (FEP®) Announces New Telemedicine Benefits and Cost Transparency Tool for Members in 2021

FEP Blue Focus® premiums remain unchanged for third consecutive year, while the program introduces changes across all products to expand access to care

News provided by

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association

Oct 14, 2020, 18:30 ET

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® Federal Employee Program^® (FEP^®) announced 2021 benefits, including newly expanded telemedicine benefits, along with a new tool to help provide greater cost transparency for members. Additionally, FEP will keep the rates the same in 2021 for its newest product, FEP Blue Focus®, as well as for Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Vision℠. Rates for Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Dental℠ products will remain at 2020 levels.

FEP's medical, dental and vision plans are available to eligible participants in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program and the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP). FEP provides quality and affordable healthcare to approximately 66 percent of federal employees, retirees and their families across the nation. FEP members enjoy access to a robust provider network with 95 percent of professional providers and over 96 percent of hospitals in the United States alone.

Highlights of What's New for 2021
New Telemedicine Benefits
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many members to turn to remote, virtual care services to manage their health as they attempt to socially distance and limit their exposure to the coronavirus. FEP was at the forefront expanding its benefits in 2020 during the pandemic to cover members having virtual visits with their primary and specialty doctors. Recognizing that virtual visits are becoming a permanent part of health care, in 2021 FEP will cover virtual consultations, and medical evaluation and management services with primary care providers and specialists as a regular benefit even after the pandemic is over. Members will pay the regular office visit copayments/coinsurance under Standard Option, Basic Option and FEP Blue Focus.

FEP Healthcare Cost Advisor
Available in 2021, FEP members will have access to the FEP Healthcare Cost Advisor application, which provides users with a complete view of their healthcare spending to make better financial planning and healthcare decisions. The tool can also help identify the FEP health plan option that offers the best value for each member's specific needs.

Newly Redesigned Website
Significant to facilitating an easier online experience for federal employees, FEP has launched Phase 1 of the public website redesign, www.fepblue.org®, Visitors can more easily navigate the vast amount of information the Program has to offer in a more intuitive and welcoming site. Additional enhancements will leverage customer experiences and feedback.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the healthcare landscape, so it is important that we adapt our products and services to meet the changing care needs of our members," said William A. Breskin, senior vice president of government programs for the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. "Alongside great coverage at reasonable prices, members should feel confident knowing we're adding new telemedicine and virtual care benefits that allow them to easily get the care they need from the safety of their home. FEP will continue to be the best value for the federal workforce – wherever they may be."

Dental and Vision Plan Updates
FEP is announcing several changes to improve access to care and outreach to eligible FEDVIP participants, including the uniformed services members. One thing we're doing is changing our product names to make clear up front that your coverage is from the most trusted name in health insurance–Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Dental and Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Vision. FEP will continue to offer the same comprehensive benefits with a few new benefit and network changes for 2021 such as increased frame allowances and more e-commerce in network options for vision and removing orthodontia waiting periods for dental.

New Dental and Vision Digital Platforms
In addition, in order to streamline, guide and modernize the member experience both the dental and vision websites have been redesigned to be more responsive and user friendly. Both BCBS FEP Dental and BCBS FEP Vision will be launching mobile applications for users to leverage as well which includes quick and easy access to local providers and benefit information. For prospective and existing members, the launch of new product selection dental and vision tools, AskBlue^SM BCBS FEP Dental Plan Finder and AskBlue^SM BCBS FEP Vision Plan Finder, will help determine right product for one's needs.

2021 Approved Rates:
Standard Option:
Self Only biweekly premiums will be $123.45
Self Plus One biweekly premiums will be $280.81
Self and Family biweekly premiums will be $300.12
Basic Option:
Self Only biweekly premiums will be $78.60
Self Plus One biweekly premiums will be $189.17
Self and Family biweekly premiums will be $201.27

FEP Blue Focus:
Self Only biweekly premiums will be $53.14
Self Plus One biweekly premiums will be $114.25
Self and Family biweekly premiums will be $125.67
Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Vision Premiums in 2021:
High Option:
Self Only biweekly premiums will be $5.49
Self Plus One biweekly premiums will be $10.97
Self and Family biweekly premiums will be $16.46

Standard Option:
Self Only biweekly premiums will be $3.50
Self Plus One biweekly premiums will be $6.99
Self and Family biweekly premiums will be $10.49

Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Dental Premiums in 2021*
High Option:
Self Only biweekly premiums will be $17.31
Self Plus One biweekly premiums will be $34.63
Self and Family biweekly premiums will be $51.94

Standard Option:
Self Only biweekly premiums will be $9.16
Self Plus One biweekly premiums will be $18.32
Self and Family biweekly premiums will be $27.49
*Blue Cross Blue Shield 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, 2021. Eligible participants will have an opportunity to make their health care coverage decisions during Open Season, which runs from Nov. 9 through Dec. 14, 2020.

Additional information about 2021 benefits is available at www.fepblue.org/whatsnew. Members can also call the National Information Center at 1-800-411-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 5.5 million federal employees, retirees and their families out of the more than 8 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 36 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 the Contact Us section on fepblue.org.

About Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 36 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide health care coverage for one in three Americans. BCBSA provides health care insights through The Health of America Report series and the national BCBS Health Index^SM. For more information on BCBSA and its member companies, please visit BCBS.com. We also encourage you to connect with us on Facebook, check out our videos on YouTube and follow us on Twitter.

SOURCE Blue Cross Blue Shield Association