Last Updated: October 19, 2026 Reading Time: 5 min

FEP Blue's specialty pharmacy is changing. Blue Cross and Blue Shield's Federal Employee Program says Accredo becomes its new specialty pharmacy partner starting in January 2027. If you fill prescriptions through FEP's specialty pharmacy program, check how the announced partner change will affect your refills. A Reddit thread on the change drew more than 350 upvotes, and the original post assumed more than FEP has said. Here's what's confirmed and what to check during Open Season.

What FEP Has Confirmed About Accredo

FEP's 2027 "What's New" page lists a new specialty pharmacy partner, Accredo, starting in January 2027. The same line appears in the changes for its Postal Service (PSHB) plans. Accredo is an Evernorth specialty pharmacy, the same company group as Express Scripts.

In 2026, CVS Caremark administers FEP Blue's pharmacy program, including the Specialty Drug Pharmacy Program. Under FEP's traditional Standard and Basic benefits, specialty refills generally go through its specialty program. Exceptions include certain manufacturer-restricted drugs available only through a Preferred retail pharmacy. FEP's Medicare drug plan (MPDP) has separate rules, and PSHB MPDP members don't have to use the specialty program.

What FEP Hasn't Said

So far FEP has announced the switch in one line. It hasn't published instructions for members. Several things people are worried about aren't answered yet:

Question What FEP has said
Is FEP leaving CVS Caremark entirely? No change announced for retail or mail-order. The 2027 drug lists are still on CVS Caremark's site.
Do prescriptions transfer automatically? Not published
Will I need new prior approvals? Not published
Is there a transition fill or grace period? Not published
What will specialty drugs cost in 2027? Changing; the change summary omits amounts. Check FEP's pharmacy benefits page and your plan's 2027 brochure.

FEP also says 2027 copays and cost-share maximums change for brand-name, specialty and diabetes drugs, but its summary doesn't give the new amounts. Check FEP's prescription coverage page for plan-level 2027 amounts. FEP's 2027 brochures weren't posted as of October 19, and the brochure, not the summary page, sets the benefit.

What the switch means for your own prescriptions depends on transition details FEP hasn't released yet.

What to Check Before Open Season Ends

Open Season runs November 9 through December 14, 2026. If you're thinking about switching plans over this, you'd be trading FEP's specialty pharmacy rules for another plan's, so check the drug under both. Here's what to check:

  1. Confirm it's a specialty drug on FEP's drug list.
  2. Price it for 2027 in FEP's Drug Cost Tool, which shows 2027 prices starting November 6, 2026.
  3. Read the specialty pharmacy section of the 2027 brochure when it's posted.
  4. Compare other plans for the same drug: tier, prior approval rules and specialty pharmacy.
  5. If you're on Medicare and FEP's drug plan (MPDP), factor in the 2027 out-of-pocket maximum of $2,400 per member.

Our FEHB Premium Calculator has a 2027 plan-year option. It shows FEP Blue's premium for each enrollment type next to the regional plans available in your ZIP code. Drug costs come on top of that, so price your specialty drug separately in each plan's tool.

Other FEP Blue Changes for 2027

Two other changes appear on FEP's 2027 list:

  • Basic and Standard add prior approval for MRI, PET and CT scans.
  • On the Postal Basic and Standard plans, non-emergency air ambulance also needs prior approval.

For how to make your changes, see our Open Season guide, and for plans leaving FEHB, our guide to FEHB plans discontinued for 2027.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is FEP Blue leaving CVS Caremark?

FEP's announcement covers specialty drugs only. It hasn't announced any change to retail or mail-order pharmacy, and FEP's 2027 drug lists are still posted on CVS Caremark's site.

When does the Accredo change start?

FEP says Accredo becomes its new specialty pharmacy partner starting in January 2027. It hasn't given an exact day.

Will my specialty prescriptions transfer automatically?

FEP hasn't yet said how prescriptions or prior approvals move to Accredo. Watch for a member letter and the 2027 brochure.

Does this apply to postal employees in PSHB?

Yes. The change applies to FEP Blue's Postal Service (PSHB) plans too.

Who do I call with questions now?

FEP's Specialty Drug Program is at 1-888-346-3731. FEP hasn't published an Accredo phone number for its members yet.

Sources: FEP Blue, What's New for 2027, FEP Blue brochures, FEP Blue pharmacy, FEP Blue drug lists, OPM Open Season.