Need an Extra $50? BCBS Offers Federal Employees COVID Vaccine Incentive

Federal employees who belong to the Blue Cross FEP program can receive $50 credit for receiving COVID vaccine.

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) Government-wide Service Benefit Plan, also known as the Federal Employee Program® (FEP® is launching a COVID-19 Vaccination Incentive Program. The program starts on Friday, June 11, 2021 and is designed to encourage members to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

BCBS says the organization is working to help meet President Biden’s goal of having at least 70% of the U.S. adult population vaccinated COVID-19 by July 4, 2021.

William A. Breskin, senior vice president of government programs for the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association stated in a press release: “We’re proud to take part in the White House’s nationwide effort to help end the pandemic and encourage our members to get vaccinated and protect not only themselves, but their families and loved ones from this unforgiving virus.”

$50 Added to Wellness Card

Eligible members over 18 with an FEP MyBlue® account will receive $50 on their MyBlue Wellness Card when they provide official documentation of their COVID-19 vaccination record. Members can use this to buy qualified medical expenses.

According to BCBS, FEP is the first Federal Employees Health Benefit program to offer a vaccination incentive like this.

FedSmith has been advised that eligible members who have already been vaccinated for COVID-19 can also take advantage of this program and receive the $50 on their MyBlue Wellness Card. These individuals will also have to submit evidence of their COVID-19 vaccination record.

COVID Documentation Submitted Starting June 11th

Members can sign up for the program and submit their vaccination records beginning Friday, June 11, 2021. More information about how to submit this information is not available yet but will be available through the FEP website.

Update: I went through the process to get the credit myself. It was easy to do and I have explained the process in detail to assist others with applying for the credit.

In addition to the FEP program, BCBS companies are identifying homebound members and sending out nurses and deploying mobile clinics to communities with low access to vaccination, such as seasonal farmworkers.

Along with other companies encouraging more people to get vaccinated, BCBS is working with community organizations, sports teams and local health care providers to conduct vaccine clinics, and offering bilingual staff and conducting community canvassing. BCBS companies have more than 160 vaccine-related events planned for the month of June.

About the Author

Ralph Smith has several decades of experience working with federal human resources issues. He has written extensively on a full range of human resources topics in books and newsletters and is a co-founder of two companies and several newsletters on federal human resources. Follow Ralph on Twitter: @RalphSmith47