The settlement has been approved by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association but still requires approval by its 36 member companies, such as Anthem and Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield in New York. It would also require approval by U.S. District Judge David Proctor in Birmingham, Alabama, who has overseen related nationwide litigation since 2013.
What is the settlement with Blue Cross Blue Shield?
In 2020, a proposed settlement was reached and received preliminary approval by a federal judge in Alabama. Under the terms of the settlement, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and its member plans would agree to: Make changes to the way they do business to increase opportunities for competition in the health insurance market; and
How many Blue Cross Blue Shield companies are there?
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 35 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. In November 2020, Anthem said it would pay $594 million as its share of the antitrust settlement. Anthem operates Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in 14 states.
What is the Blue Cross/Blue Cross Blue Shield case?
This settlement arose from a class action antitrust lawsuit that was reached on behalf of individuals and companies that purchased or received health insurance provided or administered by a Blue Cross Blue Shield company.
Did Blue Cross Blue Shield violate antitrust laws?
As you recall from our February 15, 2021 article we released on this subject, a settlement was reached with the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association over class action litigation alleging that the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association violated antitrust laws by limiting Blue Cross Blue Shield plans from competing with each other.
What happened with Blue Cross Blue Shield settlement?
The tentative $2.67 billion settlement was reached in October 2020 after more than 35 Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance plans, including Highmark, were sued for allegedly violating antitrust laws, according to https://www.bcbssettlement.com, the settlement's official website.
When can I expect my Facebook settlement check?
When will your settlement check arrive? Facebook class action update: “The Settlement Administrator began sending settlement payments to class members on May 9, 2022. It will take about two weeks to finish mailing the checks and processing the electronic payments.
What is the BCBS antitrust settlement?
The companies will pay out $2.67 billion in the antitrust settlement and agreed to change some of their practices. Source: Getty Images. August 17, 2022 - Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) has settled its antitrust litigation related to its practice of allegedly reducing competition between BCBS plans.
What does it mean when a settlement is in review?
Settlement Review means the evaluation by the Settlement Facility, under Basic Review or Comprehensive Review, of each Unresolved Asbestos Claim or Post-Confirmation Asbestos Liability submitted to the Settlement Facility under the processes and procedures established by the CRP to determine whether a Settlement Offer ...
How can I check on my Facebook settlement check?
According to the settlement website FAQ, it will take two weeks to finish mailing the checks and processing electronic payments. If you're unsure about your part in the settlement, you can call the Settlement Administrator at 1-844-799-2417.
How do I see my Facebook payouts?
To find Payouts from your Facebook Page on a desktop computer:Click the drop-down icon at the top right corner of your Facebook Page. Select Settings & Privacy, then Settings.In the side navigation, click Payouts.Click on the Payout Account ID drop-down, and select the account you want to view or update.
Did Blue Cross have a settlement with Memorial Hermann?
Memorial Hermann hospital at the Texas Medical Center on July 24, 2019. The Memorial Hermann health system and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas on Friday announced that the two parties have reached a contract agreement, allowing nearly 200,000 patients to continue care at Memorial Hermann hospitals.
How long does it take to receive money from a class action settlement?
The answer is typically between one and six weeks after your attorney reaches a settlement or the judge hearing your case awards you monetary damages. The reason why it takes as long as it does is your lawyer receives your settlement check to take care of certain expenses before you receive just compensation.
How long does it take to get paid after a settlement?
While rough estimates usually put the amount of time to receive settlement money around four to six weeks after a case it settled, the amount of time leading up to settlement will also vary. There are multiple factors to consider when asking how long it takes to get a settlement check.
How long does it take to receive compensation after accepting offer?
In some cases, insurers will process the compensation payout within a few days. In most cases, though, you will have to wait between two and four weeks to receive your compensation.
What happened to the Facebook settlement in Illinois?
Facebook agreed to pay $650 million to end the litigation, with the money to be split among Illinois Facebook users who filed claims by a certain deadline, minus costs and $97.5 million in attorneys' fees.
How do I get $400 from Facebook?
You must have filed a claim form by November 23, 2020 to receive a payout. If you do not remember whether you filed, or if you think there has been a mistake, you can contact one of the following: Settlement Administrator: 1-844-799-2417. Edelson PC, lawyer appointment to the case: 1-866-354-3015.
What is going on with the Facebook settlement?
The lawsuit — known as "Facebook Internet Tracking Litigation" — accuses Facebook of "improperly obtaining and collecting data" through non-Facebook websites that displayed a Facebook "Like" button. Facebook has denied any wrongdoing, but is still choosing to settle the matter without going to trial.
What is happening with the Facebook lawsuit in Illinois?
Facebook, Inc. has settled a class action that claimed Facebook collected and stored the biometric data of Facebook users in Illinois without the proper notice and consent in violation of Illinois law as part of its “Tag Suggestions” feature and other features involving facial recognition technology.
What is this Settlement about?
This settlement, arising from a class action antitrust lawsuit called In re: Blue Cross Blue Shield Antitrust Litigation MDL 2406, N.D. Ala. Master File No. 2:13-cv-20000-RDP (the “Settlement”), was reached on behalf of individuals and companies that purchased or received health insurance provided or administered by a Blue Cross Blue Shield company. Class Representatives (“Plaintiffs”) reached a Settlement on October 16, 2020 with the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (“BCBSA”) and Settling Individual Blue Plans. BCBSA and Settling Individual Blue Plans are called “Settling Defendants.”
How do I participate in the Settlement?
To make a claim and receive a payment, you must file a claim form online or by mail postmarked by November 5, 2021. Claims may be submitted online or by mail to:
How did settlement defendants violate antitrust laws?
Plaintiffs allege that Settling Defendants violated antitrust laws by entering into an agreement not to compete with each other and to limit competition among themselves in selling health insurance and administrative services for health insurance. Settling Defendants deny all allegations of wrongdoing and assert that their conduct results in lower healthcare costs and greater access to care for their customers. The Court has not decided who is right or wrong. Instead, Plaintiffs and Settling Defendants have agreed to a Settlement to avoid the risk and cost of further litigation.
What is a settlement with Blue Cross Blue Shield?
Class Representatives (“Plaintiffs”) reached a Settlement on October 16, 2020 with the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (“BCBSA”) and Settling Individual Blue Plans. BCBSA and Settling Individual Blue Plans are called “Settling Defendants.”. Plaintiffs allege that Settling Defendants violated antitrust laws by entering into an agreement not ...
What happens if you select the alternative option?
If you select the Alternative Option, you must submit relevant data or records showing a higher contribution percentage. Otherwise the Default Option will be used. Instructions for submitting your claim are on the claim form, available here. When required, sufficient documentation shall include an attestation signed under penalty of perjury when other documentation is no longer available.
Who decides whether to approve a settlement?
The Court in charge of this case still has to decide whether to approve the Settlement. Payments will be made if the Court approves the Settlement and after any appeals are resolved. Please be patient.
What is total premiums paid?
The total premiums paid will be the sum of premiums paid for commercial health benefit products (including medical, pharmacy, vision, and dental plans) to any of the defendants for coverage during the class coverage periods described above (pro -rated for the partial months of February 2008 and October 2020). This amount will be calculated based on data provided by the Blue Cross member plans. Claimants will not have to submit any premium data unless it is specifically requested.
What is a proposed settlement?
The Notice of Proposed Settlement was issued to inform employers and individuals who are eligible for payment (the damage class) about the proposed settlement and give them time to decide what action (if any) they wish to take and the deadlines for doing so. If the settlement is approved, class members will be bound by the terms of the settlement unless they affirmatively opt out of the settlement. The following table describes the options these class members have.
Can an employer elect an alternative option for calculating the allocation?
For both fully insured and self-funded claimants, employers and employees have the option, when filing, to elect an alternative option for calculating the allocation. In this case, the Claims Administrator will contact them and provide them the opportunity to submit additional evidence to support their case before making a final determination. If the request for the alternative option is rejected, the calculation will revert to the default allocation.
Can an employer ask for settlement information?
Employers may receive questions from their employees about this settlement, including advice on whether to file a claim or requests for information the employee needs to submit as part of their claim submission. While employers do not have any formal obligations to provide any notice/information, it may be helpful to provide some type of notice explaining the settlement to employees and informing them that they may have the right to file their own claims. Employees may also request certain information from employers (e.g., group numbers, policy numbers, coverage dates, etc.) that they need to file their claims. If employers have this information readily available, they may wish to provide it to employees (although again, there is no specific requirement to do so). Employers should be cautious in any communications with employees and should avoid saying or doing anything that appears to dissuade employees from filing their own claims.
When is the Blue Cross Blue Shield settlement?
The final hearing on the settlement will be held on October 20, 2021. Multiple different damages classes including fully insured and self-funded plans are eligible to receive payment under the settlement.
When are self funded accounts due for Blue Cross?
Self-Funded Accounts [2] (and their employees) that purchased or were enrolled in a Blue Cross or Blue Shield health insurance or administrative services plan between September 1, 2015 – October 16, 2020.
When is Notice of Intent due?
Notice of Intent due July 28, 2021. Of note here is the fact that while those who choose to do nothing will not be eligible for payment, it is only when somebody actively opts out of the settlement that they will retain the right to sue and not be bound by the settlement’s terms.
How much did Blue Cross Blue Shield settle?
The Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance group is working out a tentative agreement to settle $2.7 billion, in an antitrust class-action lawsuit filed in 2012 on behalf of the health plan customers, reports Reuters.
What is the consortium of insurance companies facing?
Separately, the consortium of insurance companies are facing a parallel lawsuit from healthcare providers alleging malpractices, where insurers illegally pushed down the payments they receive for medical services, according to Reuters.
How many Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance companies are there?
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association comprises of 36 insurance providers. Approximately one-third of the Americans are covered by Blue Cross companies, according to the New York Times.
Who is the judge for the BCBS antitrust case?
District Judge R. David Proctor, who is officiating the antitrust hearing, claims the Wall Street Journal.
What did the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association settle for in 2021?
As you recall from our February 15, 2021 article we released on this subject, a settlement was reached with the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association over class action litigation alleging that the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association violated antitrust laws by limiting Blue Cross Blue Shield plans from competing with each other.
How to file a claim with Blue Cross Blue Shield?
If you or your company believes it may have a claim, filing a claim can be completed either online via the following link https://secure.bcbssettlement.com/ or by submitting a paper form, which can be downloaded from the settlement website here https://tinyurl.com/dus3n4ht or obtained by calling Blue Cross Blue Shield at 1-888-681-1142. In addition, if you are concerned that your name may not be included in the records listing those eligible for the settlement and you want to make sure you receive notification, you can register by providing your email to the website maintained for this settlement https://www.bcbssettlement.com. Both employers and employees will receive notice of the settlement through a Court-approved notice program. The settlement and the court’s preliminary approval order do not obligate employers to notify employees of the settlement.
Introduction
Background
- In 2012, plaintiffs alleged that the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and its 35 member companies violated the Sherman Antitrust Act by agreeing not to compete in selling health insurance and administration of commercial health benefit products in the United States and Puerto Rico, as well as agreeing to other means of limiting competition in the health insurance …
Key Provisions of The Settlement
- Under the terms of the settlement, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and its member plans would agree to: 1. Make changes to the way they do business to increase opportunities for competition in the health insurance market; and 2. Allow qualified national self-funded accounts to request a second bid for coverage from a member plan of their cho...
Damages Classes
- The following classes may be eligible for payment from the settlement amount: 1. Individuals that purchased or were enrolled in a Blue Cross or Blue Shield health insurance or administrative services plan between February 7, 2008 – October 16, 2020; 2. Insured Groups (and their employees) that purchased or were enrolled in a Blue Cross or Blue Shield health insurance or a…
Options For Damage Class Members
- The Notice of Proposed Settlementwas issued to inform employers and individuals who are eligible for payment (the damage class) about the proposed settlement and give them time to decide what action (if any) they wish to take and the deadlines for doing so. If the settlement is approved, class members will be bound by the terms of the settlement unless they affirmatively …
What Can/Should Employers do?
- Employers may receive questions from their employees about this settlement, including advice on whether to file a claim or requests for information the employee needs to submit as part of their claim submission. While employers do not have any formal obligations to provide any notice/information, it may be helpful to provide some type of notice explaining the settlement to …
Next Steps
- Next steps for employers who are eligible to file a claim: 1. Decide whether to: 1.1. File Claim 1.1.1. If filing a claim, determine whether to use default assumptions or elect an alternative option for calculating allocation. 1.2. Do Nothing 1.3. Opt Out 1.4. Object 1.5. Speak at Hearing 2. Decide whether to communicate to employees 2.1. If communicating upfront, determine what informati…
Conclusion
- It is important for employers to keep in mind that any individual settlement amount is likely to be relatively small – e.g., a few hundred dollars for a large employer, and under $100 for any individual employee. So, while it will be important to understand the allocation methods and the filing options, perspective is needed when determining whether to propose an alternative allocat…