Does Blue Cross Blue Shield (Federated) Cover AndroGel?

Why there is no single answer

FDA's testosterone pages cover approved uses, labeling changes and safety data, not what a health plan pays for [1][3]. Coverage is set plan by plan, so the covered-drug list and pharmacy benefit documents of the specific plan are where AndroGel's status is stated. For federal employee plans, OPM provides state-by-state lists of plans with links to plan brochures [4].

What FDA approval covers

FDA states that testosterone products are approved only for men who lack or have low testosterone along with an associated medical condition, such as testicular failure from genetic problems or chemotherapy, or hypothalamus or pituitary disorders. None of the approved products is approved for low testosterone without such a condition [1].

On 28 February 2025, FDA announced class-wide testosterone labeling changes after the TRAVERSE trial, including keeping the limitation of use for age-related hypogonadism [3]. In June 2026, FDA requested further changes, including removing that limitation and revising prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia safety information; those are requested updates, and the generic testosterone gel 1% label still carries the limitation [1][2].

What the generic gel 1% label says before treatment

The label for generic testosterone gel 1% (Teva), which is not AndroGel's own label, says to confirm the diagnosis of hypogonadism before starting by ensuring serum testosterone has been measured in the morning on at least two separate days and that the concentrations are below the normal range [2]. AndroGel 1.62% has its own prescribing information. The generic gel 1% label also states that testosterone is a Schedule III controlled substance and that topical testosterone products may have different doses, strengths or application instructions that may result in different systemic exposure [2].