Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program is a government-sponsored health insurance program serving federal employees, retirees, USPS workers, and their families under the FEHB and PSHB Programs, administered by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association since 1960.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1960
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program does
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program (FEP) is a health insurance program administered by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association on behalf of federal employees, retirees, and their families under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program, and since 2025 also for U.S. Postal Service employees and retirees under the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program. Established in 1960, FEP offers three plan tiers — FEP Blue Focus (lowest premium, in-network only), FEP Blue Basic (no deductibles, the most popular FEHB plan for over 15 years), and FEP Blue Standard (broadest coverage including out-of-network and up to $25,000 in annual IVF benefits). Members gain access to a network of over 2 million doctors and hospitals, 55,000+ retail pharmacies, and 11,000+ overseas providers, with the program reporting a 99% year-over-year member retention rate.
FEP's technology stack is built around the MyBlue member portal and the fepblue mobile app (iOS and Android), which integrate telehealth services powered by Teladoc Health, overseas coverage delivered through GeoBlue, pharmacy benefits administered by CVS Caremark, and a health assessment tool powered by WebMD. The program also offers the FEP Medicare Prescription Drug Program (MPDP), supplemental FEP Dental and Vision plans through FEDVIP, wellness incentive programs (Blue Health Assessment, Daily Habits) that allow members to earn up to $170 annually, and digital tools such as the Prescription Drug Cost Tool. Distribution operates exclusively through OPM-mandated enrollment channels including Employee Express, Open Season Online, MyPay, the National Finance Center, and SF 2809 paper forms, with Open Season running annually from the second Monday of November through the second Monday of December.
FEP's revenue model is built on recurring subscription premiums paid bi-weekly through payroll deduction, with the government contributing the majority share of premium costs under FEHB and PSHB. Premiums vary by plan tier, coverage level (Self Only, Self + 1, Self & Family), and program, with 2026 bi-weekly rates ranging from $66.81 (FEP Blue Focus Self Only FEHB) to $479.21 (FEP Blue Standard Self & Family PSHB). Additional revenue is generated through supplemental products including dental, vision, Medicare Part D coverage, and pharmacy benefit services. The customer base is concentrated in two government-affiliated populations — federal employees/retirees and postal service employees/retirees — with enrollment driven by mandatory carrier participation in OPM-administered programs rather than traditional sales-led acquisition.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program
- Legal name
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association
- Website
- https://fepblue.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1960
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program is a government-sponsored health insurance program serving federal employees, retirees, USPS workers, and their families under the FEHB and PSHB Programs, administered by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association since 1960.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Federal Government Health Insurance
- NAICS
- Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities (5242), Health and Welfare Funds (525120)
- SIC
- Accident & Health Insurance (6321), Insurance Agents, Brokers & Service (6411)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Association & PEO Group Health Plans (AHP/PEO-Sponsored) (FSAIAFAH)
Keywords
Where Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Health Insurance Premiums: The primary revenue stream is monthly health insurance premiums paid by federal employees, postal service employees, retirees, and through government contributions (OPM contributes to FEHB premiums). Premiums vary by plan tier (FEP Blue Focus, FEP Blue Basic, FEP Blue Standard), coverage type (Self Only, Self + 1, Self & Family), and program (FEHB vs PSHB). 2026 bi-weekly rates range from $66.81 (Focus Self Only) to $479.21 (Standard Self & Family PSHB).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | FEP Blue Focus - Budget-friendly in-network only plan with lowest premiums |
| Subscription | Monthly | FEP Blue Basic - Most popular plan for 15+ years with no deductibles |
| Subscription | Monthly | FEP Blue Standard - Broadest coverage with in-network and out-of-network benefits |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program product offering
Product offeringCore offering
FEP is a health insurance program providing three tiered plans (FEP Blue Focus, FEP Blue Basic, FEP Blue Standard) to federal employees, U.S. Postal Service employees, retirees, and their families under the FEHB and PSHB programs. The offering includes medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, Medicare Part D, telehealth, overseas, and wellness benefits administered by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
Product overview
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program (FEP) is a health insurance program offering three main health plan tiers — FEP Blue Focus, FEP Blue Basic, and FEP Blue Standard — under both the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program and the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program. These plans are complemented by a suite of member-facing digital products and programs: the MyBlue member portal (with companion fepblue mobile app), telehealth services powered by Teladoc Health, the FEP Pharmacy Program (including CVS Caremark as PBM, the FEP Mail Service Pharmacy, and the FEP Specialty Pharmacy Program), the FEP Medicare Prescription Drug Program (MPDP) offering Medicare Part D coverage, supplemental BCBS FEP Dental and Vision plans through FEDVIP, and an overseas coverage program delivered via GeoBlue. The program also includes wellness and incentive programs — Blue Health Assessment, Daily Habits, Wellness Incentive Program, and Medication Therapy Management — along with digital tools like the Prescription Drug Cost Tool and a Medicare Reimbursement Account. Together these products provide federal and postal employees, retirees, and their families with comprehensive medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, and international health benefits.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- FEP Medicare Prescription Drug Program (MPDP): A Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit for eligible FEP members with Medicare Part A and/or Part B primary coverage.
- MyBlue
- FEP Dental
- FEP Vision
- Blue365
Products and services
- FEP Blue Focus
Quantifiable outcome
- 99% of members renew their coverage year after year
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
Feature5 records
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.
- Teladoc HealthcorePrimary telehealth partner providing 24/7 access to board-certified doctors via phone, video, and app. Offers mental health services, dermatology, and nutritional counseling. All telehealth visits are covered at $0 copay for members. Available to all Service Benefit Plan members including overseas members via Teladoc Global Care app.
- GeoBluecoreInternational provider network partner offering over 11,000 overseas providers including hospitals, clinics, doctors, and specialists. Provides direct billing arrangements, cashless access, language translation, and foreign currency conversion for overseas claims. Manages Pre-Departure Program for members relocating internationally.
- CVS CaremarkcorePharmacy benefits manager handling prescription drug coverage. Administers retail pharmacy network (55,000+ pharmacies), FEP Mail Service Pharmacy, and FEP Specialty Pharmacy Program. Manages drug formularies, prior authorizations, and the FEP Medicare Prescription Drug Program (MPDP) for eligible members.
- WebMDstrategicHealth assessment technology partner powering the Blue Health Assessment (BHA) tool integrated into MyBlue. Delivers personalized health risk scoring and action plans based on member responses. First step in the Wellness Incentive Program that can earn members up to $170 annually.
- African American Postal League United for Success (A-PLUS)minorCommunity organization supporting postal workers. FEP is committed to supporting organizations making a difference in the postal worker community.
- National Association of Postal Supervisors (NAPS)minorProfessional association for postal supervisors. FEP partners with organizations committed to supporting the postal worker community.
- United Postmasters and Managers of America (UPMA)minorOrganization representing postmasters and managers. FEP supports organizations dedicated to making a difference in the postal worker community.
- WINFertilityminorFertility care discount partner offering up to 40% savings on WINFertility's Treatment Program Bundles through the Blue365 discount program for members.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield: CareFirst is a BCBS licensee serving Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia with commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid plans. While part of the broader BCBS network that backs FEP, CareFirst is a regional incumbent that could compete indirectly for federal employees in its service area.
- Elevance Health (Anthem BCBS): Elevance Health is a major BCBS licensee and one of the largest U.S. health insurers offering commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid plans. It is a broad incumbent that competes with FEP indirectly through commercial employer coverage and directly in some FEHB-adjacent state employee segments.
Regional players
- Health Net Federal Services: Health Net Federal Services offers TRICARE and other government health programs but operates as a regional player in the federal benefits space. It is comparable to FEP in serving federal employee populations, particularly military families, with similar plan structures.
Direct peers
- Cigna FEHB: Cigna offers FEHB plan options competing with FEP for federal employee enrollment. As a major national health insurer with global capabilities, Cigna competes on network access, international coverage, and integrated health services for federal employees.
- Government Employees Health Association (GEHA): GEHA is one of the largest direct competitors to FEP in the FEHB Program, offering health and dental plans to federal employees and retirees. It competes head-to-head with FEP during Open Season for the same federal employee membership pool with similar plan structures and provider networks.
- UnitedHealthcare FEHB: UnitedHealthcare offers multiple FEHB plan options competing directly with FEP for federal employee enrollment. It is one of the largest U.S. health insurers and competes with FEP on national network scale, plan design variety, and member digital tools during Open Season.
- Kaiser Permanente FEHB: Kaiser Permanente participates in the FEHB Program with integrated HMO plans serving federal employees in specific regions. It competes with FEP for federal employee enrollment through Open Season, particularly in Kaiser-served geographies, with a vertically integrated care delivery model.
- Aetna (CVS Health) FEHB: Aetna offers FEHB plans competing directly with FEP for federal employee enrollment. As a subsidiary of CVS Health (which also owns CVS Caremark, FEP's PBM partner), Aetna competes on plan design, network breadth, and pharmacy integration for the same federal workforce.
- Humana FEHB: Humana participates in the FEHB Program with health plans targeting federal employees and retirees. It competes with FEP during Open Season, particularly leveraging its Medicare expertise to attract federal retirees who are aging into Medicare eligibility.
Emerging players
- WPS Health Insurance: WPS Health Insurance offers FEHB plans as a smaller competitor to FEP, often targeting specific federal employee niches. It is an emerging FEHB participant competing on price and member service within the same Open Season enrollment framework that FEP dominates.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program social profiles
Digital presenceBlue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program
What does Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program do?
FEP is a health insurance program providing three tiered plans (FEP Blue Focus, FEP Blue Basic, FEP Blue Standard) to federal employees, U.S. Postal Service employees, retirees, and their families under the FEHB and PSHB programs. The offering includes medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, Medicare Part D, telehealth, overseas, and wellness benefits administered by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
Is Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program a public or private company?
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program founded?
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program was founded in 1960. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program based?
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program make money?
One revenue line is on record: health Insurance Premiums.
Who are Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield and Elevance Health (Anthem BCBS). Health Net Federal Services is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are Cigna FEHB, Government Employees Health Association (GEHA), UnitedHealthcare FEHB, Kaiser Permanente FEHB, Aetna (CVS Health) FEHB and Humana FEHB. WPS Health Insurance is listed as an emerging player.
Does Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program have an API?
No public API is recorded for Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program.
What industry is Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program in?
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program's product category is Federal Government Health Insurance. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAIAFAH, Association & PEO Group Health Plans (AHP/PEO-Sponsored). Its NAICS code is 5242 and its SIC code is 6321.