2021 Benefits & Rates: Service Benefit Plan
Open Season for federal health insurance runs Monday, November 9 through midnight Eastern time Monday, December 14, 2020. Now is a great time to learn about some of the updates and changes we’re making to the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan.
Here’s what’s new for 2021:
Telemedicine
- We will cover online or phone telemedicine visits you receive from your primary care providers or specialists who are outside of our contracted Teladoc® network. You pay your standard primary care and specialist copays for most non-Teladoc telemedicine visits.
- We will provide preventive care benefits for bowel preparation medications associated with colon cancer screenings (limited to your first prescription fill).
- We will provide preventive care benefits for certain HIV medications (known as antiretroviral therapy) for members at risk for HIV.
- All chest X-rays will now be covered under your regular medical benefits. Previously, we covered one per calendar year for adults as part of your preventive benefits.
- We are extending the deadline for FEP Blue Focus members to request their routine annual physical incentive. You’ll now have until December 31, 2022 for the 2021 program.
- The Hypertension Management Program will be limited to the contract holder and spouse on your contract, 18 and older. If you are a Standard or Basic Option member, you must complete the Blue Health Assessment (BHA) to receive the free blood pressure monitor.
- We are making changes to our approved drug lists (formularies).
- We are increasing the out-of-pocket cost for tier 4 and 5 specialty drugs for Standard and Basic Option members.
- We are increasing the Basic Option copay for emergency room care to $175. Previously, it was $125.
- For Standard and Basic Option members, we will provide benefits for hearing aids up to $2,500 every five years. Previously, we provided benefits every three years.
- We will provide benefits for continuous home hospice care at no out-of-pocket cost to FEP Blue Focus members. Previously, you paid 30% of our allowance.
- For FEP Blue Focus members, we are increasing the out-of-pocket (catastrophic) maximum to $7,500 for Self Only and to $15,000 for Self + One and Self & Family contracts. Previously, it was $6,500 for Self Only and $13,000 for Self + One and Self & Family.
Please note that this is a summary of changes to the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan in 2021. This is not an official statement of benefits. Please refer to the brochures to see a full list of benefit changes.
| Non-Postal Premium | Postal Premium | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bi-weekly | Monthly | Bi-weekly Category 1 | Bi-weekly Category 2 |
|
| Self Only (104) | $123.45 |
$267.48 |
$120.09 |
$110.03 |
| Self + 1 (106) | $280.81 |
$608.43 |
$273.62 |
$252.06 |
| Self & Family (105) | $300.12 |
$650.26 |
$292.31 |
$268.89 |
| Non-Postal Premium | Postal Premium | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bi-weekly | Monthly | Bi-weekly Category 1 | Bi-weekly Category 2 |
|
| Self Only (111) | $78.60 |
$170.31 |
$75.46 |
$65.24 |
| Self + 1 (113) | $189.17 |
$409.87 |
$181.98 |
$160.42 |
| Self & Family (112) | $201.27 |
$436.08 |
$193.46 |
$170.04 |
| Non-Postal Premium | Postal Premium | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bi-weekly | Monthly | Bi-weekly Category 1 | Bi-weekly Category 2 |
|
| Self Only (131) | $53.14 |
$115.15 |
$51.02 |
$44.11 |
| Self + 1 (133) | $114.25 |
$247.55 |
$109.68 |
$94.83 |
| Self & Family (132) | $125.67 |
$272.29 |
$120.65 |
$104.31 |
Am I eligible for a postal premium?
To view or download copies of our 2021 Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan brochures, click here.
If you have questions about our benefit plans, call the National Information Center weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET at 1-800-411-BLUE (2583). For customer service related questions, please call your local customer service number found here or on the back of your member ID card.
These rates do not apply to all enrollees. If you are in a special enrollment category, contact the agency or Tribal employer that manages your health benefits enrollment.
This is a summary of the features of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan. Before making a final decision, please read the Plan’s Federal brochures (Standard Option and Basic Option: RI 71-005; FEP Blue Focus: 71-017). All benefits are subject to the definitions, limitations and exclusions set forth in the Federal brochures.
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is an association of independent, locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies.
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