Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield 2027 rates for retirees

Last updated November 9, 2026

Published November 4, 2026 · By the OnPAR Federal Retirement Education editorial team · Last reviewed Nov 2026

Short answer: If you are a retired federal employee on Blue Cross Blue Shield (FEP Blue), your share of the premium goes up for 2027 on every option. OPM's 2027 rate chart puts the retiree monthly share for FEP Blue Standard Self Only at $443.41, FEP Blue Basic Self Only at $315.17 and FEP Blue Focus Self Only at $160.69 (OPM 2027 FFS premium chart). You can keep your plan and do nothing, or switch options during Open Season, November 9 to December 14, 2026. Any change starts in January 2027 (OPM Open Season; OPM FEHB Handbook: Annuitants).

What changed for 2027

• Premiums: your share rises for all three FEP Blue options. Monthly increases on OPM's chart run from $15.93 (Focus Self Only) to $85.01 (Standard Self and Family) (OPM 2027 FFS chart). Across all FEHB plans, OPM says the average enrollee share is up 10.9% (OPM 2027 Open Season highlights, PDF).
• Standard Option: the 2027 brochure lists a $500 Self Only / $1,000 family deductible, a $7,000 / $14,000 in-network out-of-pocket maximum and a $450 copay for each in-network hospital admission (2027 FEP Blue brochure, RI 71-005, Section 2).
• Basic Option: inpatient care is $500 a day, up to $3,500 per admission. The emergency room copay is $500 a day, and the in-network out-of-pocket maximum is $8,500 / $17,000 (brochure, Section 2).
• Both options: MRI, PET and CT scans now need prior approval. The plan stops covering 8 over-the-counter COVID-19 tests per member. If you're in the plan's Medicare drug program (MPDP), the catastrophic maximum becomes $2,400 (brochure, Section 2).
• Postal retirees: the brochure says postal employees and annuitants are no longer eligible for this plan, except under Temporary Continuation of Coverage. Postal retirees use PSHB. See our PSHB Open Season 2027 guide.

2027 FEP Blue retiree premiums (your monthly share)

Retirees pay the same enrollee share as non-postal employees in the same plan, and it is taken out of your annuity (OPM FEHB Handbook: Annuitants). The monthly column below is the one that applies to most retirees.

Source: OPM 2027 FEHB fee-for-service premium chart. The Standard and Basic amounts match the rate page on the back of the 2027 brochure. For Focus, the government pays 75% of the total premium ($222.50 of $296.66 biweekly for Self Only), which is why its share is so much lower.

Worked example: a retired couple on Standard Self Plus One

This uses OPM's 2027 monthly figures. It is an illustration, not advice.

• Stay on Standard Self Plus One: $974.76 a month, up $84.52 from 2026. That's $11,697.12 for 2027.
• Switch to Basic Self Plus One: $759.38 a month, or $9,112.56 for the year. That's $2,584.56 less than Standard. Basic generally covers care only from Preferred (in-network) providers, with some exceptions (brochure, Section 3).
• If you both have Medicare Part A and Part B: Basic Option members with Parts A and B can get back up to $800 per calendar year for the Part B premiums they pay. With Medicare Parts A and B, the brochure's Medicare chart also shows a $0 Standard Option deductible and $0 primary care copays on both options (brochure, Medicare section).

A lower premium can mean higher costs when you get care. Before you switch, check your doctors and prescriptions in the brochure and our guide to comparing FEHB plans.

Medicare and FEP Blue drug coverage

OPM has found the plan's drug coverage creditable, so you don't need Medicare Part D to avoid a late-enrollment penalty while you keep FEHB. If you have Medicare Part A and/or B and aren't in a Medicare Advantage plan, the plan automatically enrolls you in its Medicare drug plan (PDP EGWP). You stay in FEHB and can opt out at any time (brochure). Deciding on Part B? See FEHB and Medicare Part B.

How retirees change FEP Blue options this Open Season

1. Compare using the 2027 brochure and OPM's FEHB plan comparison tool.

2. Make the change from November 9 to December 14, 2026, in one of three ways: OPM's Open Season Online system, Open Season Express at 1-800-332-9798, or a letter postmarked by the last day of Open Season (OPM: How to enroll).

3. Doing nothing is fine if you're happy. OPM says you keep your current plan, but premiums and benefits can change (OPM: Retirees and annuitants).

4. Don't cancel by accident. OPM says a retiree who cancels FEHB can never re-enroll. If you're moving to another program, suspending can be an option (OPM FEHB Handbook: Annuitants).

5. Adding a family member? Starting this Open Season, you must send proof that they're eligible (OPM 2027 Open Season highlights, PDF).

Questions? Call OPM's Retirement Information Office at 1-888-767-6738 or email [email protected] (OPM).

Still working? Make sure you can keep FEP Blue in retirement

To carry FEHB into retirement, you must retire on an immediate annuity (FERS MRA+10 counts) and be covered by FEHB for the 5 years of service right before your annuity starts, or since your first chance to enroll (OPM FEHB Handbook). See our FEHB 5-year rule guide, the 2027 FEHB costs for retirees page and the retiree Open Season checklist. To see how a premium fits your budget, estimate your pension with our FERS pension calculator or the full FERS retirement calculator.

Sources

• OPM: 2027 FEHB premiums and 2027 fee-for-service rate chart (xlsx)
• 2027 Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan brochure, RI 71-005 (opm.gov)
• OPM: Federal Benefits Open Season
• OPM: 2026 Federal Benefits Open Season highlights for plan year 2027 (PDF)
• OPM: Open Season for Federal Retirees and Other Annuitants
• OPM: How to enroll or change (annuitants)
• OPM FEHB Handbook: Annuitants

Questions and answers

How much is Blue Cross Blue Shield for retired federal employees in 2027?

OPM's 2027 rate chart lists these monthly retiree shares. FEP Blue Standard: $443.41 Self Only, $974.76 Self Plus One, $1,076.61 Self and Family. FEP Blue Basic: $315.17, $759.38 and $839.67. FEP Blue Focus: $160.69, $345.44 and $379.93.

Do federal retirees pay the same FEP Blue premium as employees?

Yes. OPM says annuitants get the same benefits and government contribution as non-postal employees in the same plan, and their share is deducted from the annuity. Retirees are usually charged monthly instead of biweekly.

How do I switch from FEP Blue Standard to Basic as a retiree?

During Open Season, November 9 to December 14, 2026, use OPM's Open Season Online system (retireefehb.opm.gov), call Open Season Express at 1-800-332-9798, or mail a letter postmarked by the last day of Open Season. The change takes effect in January 2027.

Does FEP Blue Basic reimburse Medicare Part B premiums?

The 2027 brochure says Basic Option members enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B can be reimbursed up to $800 per calendar year for Part B premiums they pay.

Can postal retirees keep Blue Cross Blue Shield FEHB?

No. The 2027 brochure says postal employees and annuitants are no longer eligible for this FEHB plan, except under Temporary Continuation of Coverage. Postal retirees enroll through the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program.

Do I have to do anything to keep FEP Blue in 2027?

No. OPM says that if you do nothing during Open Season, your current coverage continues, though premiums and benefits may change. Be careful not to cancel: OPM says a retiree who cancels FEHB can never re-enroll.