Networks change. We verify your specific Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program (FEP) plan before your first visit; call with your member ID and we will confirm benefits, copay and any referral or authorization requirements.
Also appears on cards as: FEP, FEP Blue, FEP Standard Option, FEP Basic Option, FEP Blue Focus, Service Benefit Plan.
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan, known as FEP or FEP Blue, is the largest health plan in the Federal Employees Health Benefits program and covers federal workers, retirees and their families, including Postal Service employees moving to the Postal Service Health Benefits program. It is a single nationwide plan that uses the local Blue network in each state, so FEP members in Florida and South Carolina see providers who contract with Florida Blue or BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina. There are three options. Standard Option covers in-network and out-of-network care, while Basic Option and FEP Blue Focus cover only in-network providers. Outpatient psychiatry and medication management are covered under all three for a specialist copay or coinsurance, with no referral required for mental health.
Telehealth with an in-network psychiatrist is typically covered at the same cost share as an office visit, and FEP also offers its own telehealth vendor for urgent needs. For Deep TMS, FEP typically requires prior approval and reviews requests under its medical policy, which asks for a diagnosis of major depressive disorder, documented failure of at least two antidepressant trials and a current severity measure. Spravato typically requires prior approval through the FEP pharmacy program administered by CVS Caremark, along with documentation of treatment-resistant depression, a concurrent oral antidepressant and administration at a REMS-certified site. Approvals are usually issued for an initial course, with continuation reviewed based on documented response. Our staff submit prior approval requests and track them on your behalf.
What we check before your visit
- Whether your plan is in network at the office you chose and for telehealth
- Your copay or coinsurance for an evaluation and for follow-ups
- Whether a primary-care referral is required (common with HMO plans)
- Prior-authorization criteria for Deep TMS and Spravato, if those are being considered
Frequently asked questions
Does Stedfast Psychiatry accept FEP Blue?
Stedfast Psychiatry accepts the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan at our Florida and South Carolina offices through the local Blue networks. Because Basic Option and FEP Blue Focus pay only for in-network care, confirm that your provider is listed as Preferred before your visit. Our front desk can check your enrollment code and benefits in advance.
What will a psychiatry visit cost under FEP Standard, Basic or Blue Focus?
Each option sets its own cost sharing. Most members pay a fixed specialist copay for in-network outpatient mental health visits, and Standard Option members who see out-of-network providers pay coinsurance after the deductible. Your Service Benefit Plan brochure lists the exact amounts for mental health office visits, and we can confirm them before your appointment.
Does FEP cover telehealth psychiatry?
Yes. FEP covers video visits with in-network psychiatric providers at the same cost share as in-person care for members located in Florida or South Carolina during the visit. Telehealth is suited to evaluations and medication follow-ups. Deep TMS and Spravato are delivered in person at the offices that provide them.
Does FEP require prior approval for Deep TMS or Spravato?
Typically, yes. FEP reviews TMS requests against its medical policy for major depressive disorder and requires documentation of prior antidepressant trials and current symptom severity. Spravato is handled through the FEP pharmacy program and requires its own prior approval. Our team assembles the records, submits both requests and lets you know when a decision arrives.