Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program Relaxes Coverage Rules for Members Affected by Hurricane Katrina

Washington, DC - The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program (FEP) -- covering more than half of all federal employees, retirees and their families -- is relaxing certain provisions for its members in the affected areas of the five states experiencing the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

 Requirements for pre-certification for coverage are temporarily waived. Coverage is extended to include all providers in the affected areas without regard to participation in Blue Cross and Blue Shield networks. Payments for work-related injuries will temporarily be made immediately by FEP.

All refill limitations and payment differences between preferred and non-preferred pharmacies are temporarily waived, allowing members to get their prescriptions refilled at any pharmacy.Members who need assistance filling their prescriptions should call Caremark,the FEP mail and retail pharmacy vendor, at the following toll-free phone numbers: Mail Service: 1-800-262-7890 and Retail: 1-800-624-5060. The hearing impaired should call Mail Service TDD: 1-866-409-8525, and Retail TDD: 1-800-624-5077.

"The last thing people should be concerned about during these times is how their health insurance coverage works. We are making it as easy as possible for federal employees dealing with this disaster to get the care they need when they need it, "said Rod Collins, FEP Chief Operating Executive.

Earlier this week the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association announced that, together with its Plans, it was contributing a minimum of $1 million towards relief efforts for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

FEP members who have questions regarding particular situations should call their home plan toll-free numbers: Alabama - 1-800-492-8872; Florida - 1-800-333-2227; Louisiana - 1-800-272-3029; Mississippi - 1-800-932-7724; and Texas - 1-800-442-4607.

FEP subscribers represent more than 4.4 million – or 55 percent – of the approximately eight million federal employees, retirees and their families who receive benefits through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.

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