2023 Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan - Standard and Basic Option
Introduction/Plain Language/Advisory
Page 4

This brochure describes the benefits of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan - FEP Blue Standard and FEP Blue Basic Options under contract (CS 1039) between the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and the United States Office of Personnel Management, as authorized by the Federal Employees Health Benefits law. This Plan is underwritten by participating Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans (Local Plans) that administer this Plan in their individual localities. For customer service assistance, visit our website, www.fepblue.org, or contact your Local Plan at the phone number appearing on the back of your ID card.

The address for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan administrative office is:

Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan
1310 G Street NW, Suite 900
Washington, DC 20005

This brochure is the official statement of benefits. No verbal statement can modify or otherwise affect the benefits, limitations, and exclusions of this brochure. It is your responsibility to be informed about your healthcare benefits.

If you are enrolled in this Plan, you are entitled to the benefits described in this brochure. If you are enrolled in Self Plus One or Self and Family coverage, each eligible family member is also entitled to these benefits. You do not have a right to benefits that were available before January 1, 2023, unless those benefits are also shown in this brochure.

OPM negotiates benefits and rates with each plan annually. Benefit changes are effective January 1, 2023, and changes are summarized on pages 15-16. Rates are shown on the back cover of this brochure.

All FEHB brochures are written in plain language to make them easy to understand. Here are some examples:
 

• Except for necessary technical terms, we use common words. For instance, “you” means the enrollee and each covered family member; “we” means the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan.
   
• We limit acronyms to ones you know. FEHB is the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. OPM is the United States Office of Personnel Management. If we use others, we tell you what they mean.
   
• Our brochure and other FEHB plans’ brochures have the same format and similar descriptions to help you compare plans.

Fraud increases the cost of healthcare for everyone and increases your Federal Employees Health Benefits Program premium.

OPM’s Office of the Inspector General investigates all allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse in the FEHB Program regardless of the agency that employs you or from which you retired.

Protect Yourself From Fraud – Here are some things you can do to prevent fraud:
 

• Do not give your plan identification (ID) number over the phone or to people you do not know, except for your healthcare provider, authorized health benefits plan, or OPM representative.
   
• Let only the appropriate medical professionals review your medical record or recommend services.
   
• Avoid using healthcare providers who say that an item or service is not usually covered, but they know how to bill us to get it paid.
   
• Carefully review explanations of benefits (EOBs) statements that you receive from us.
   
• Periodically review your claim history for accuracy to ensure we have not been billed for services you did not receive.
   
• Do not ask your doctor to make false entries on certificates, bills, or records in order to get us to pay for an item or service.

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