On this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Merrilee Logue, Executive Director of the National Labor Office at Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, and David Yoder, Senior Vice President of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program (FEP) discussed FEP’s commitment to the federal workforce, the details of the current open enrollment period and what the premium adjustments mean for members in the coming year.
Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Federal Employee Program has a 65-year history of providing comprehensive healthcare coverage to the federal workforce. Yoder explained that FEP currently serves 5.7 million federal employees, retirees and their families across every zip code in America, as well as overseas. The program, he said, stands out for its robust nationwide and worldwide provider network, innovative member tools and incentive programs designed to simplify the healthcare journey and maximize quality care for members.
Starting on Nov. 10, open enrollment, which Logue and Yoder emphasized is underway for federal employees and uniformed service members, runs until early December. Open enrollment allows eligible participants to select or update their healthcare, dental and vision plans. Importantly, they said the recent government shutdowns have not affected access to Federal Employees Health Benefit Program coverage, claims processing or member support, offering continuity and peace of mind during uncertain times.
In 2026, premium costs will be adjusted, Yoder said. While the average increase for medical premiums is approximately 10 percent, dental plans are expected to see a 3 percent rise, while vision premiums are expected to remain unchanged. Both Logue and Yoder made clear that, despite rising costs across the economy, BCBS remains focused on keeping healthcare accessible and affordable, supported by their extensive provider and pharmacy networks. Members are encouraged to access BCBS’s online tools and resources for tracking claims, estimating costs and making informed choices.
To hear more from Yoder and Logue, listen to the full episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast
America’s Work Force is the only daily labor podcast in the US and has been on the air since 1993, supplying listeners with useful, relevant input into their daily lives through fact-finding features, in-depth interviews, informative news segments and practical consumer reports. America’s Work Force is committed to providing an accessible venue in which America's workers and their families can hear discussion on important, relevant topics such as employment, healthcare, legislative action, labor-management relations, corporate practices, finances, local and national politics, consumer reports and labor issues.
America’s Work Force Union Podcast is brought to you in part by our sponsors: AFL-CIO, American Federation of Government Employees, American Federation of Musicians Local 4, Alliance for American Manufacturing, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes-IBT, Boyd Watterson, Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, Communication Workers of America, Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust, International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 50, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Crafts, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 6, Ironworkers Great Lakes District Council, Melwood, The Labor Citizen newspaper, Laborers International Union of North America, The National Labor Office of Blue Cross and Blue Shield, North Coast Area Labor Federation, Ohio Federation of Teachers, United Labor Agency, United Steelworkers.
