What is the settlement amount for Blue Cross Blue Shield lawsuit?
A recent Blue Cross Blue Shield antitrust lawsuit resulted in a proposed settlement of $2.67 billion dollars. 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.
What does the Blue Cross Blue Shield settlement mean for Premera?
OLYMPIA, Wash. – A $2.67 billion settlement to resolve antitrust charges against health insurer Blue Cross Blue Shield will result in payments to some consumers of Premera and Regence health plans in Washington.
How many people does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover?
Blue Cross Blue Shield member companies cover more than 100 million Americans, or roughly a third of the nation’s population. The association representing the companies denied allegations of trying to limit competition, but said the settlement is “the right action at the right time.”
Can I Opt Out of the Blue Cross Blue Shield settlement?
Second, you can opt out of the Blue Cross Blue Shield settlement by July 28, 2021, retain your own attorney, and receive a lot more money (i.e. $3,000.00). However, you will get more money by opting out of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement.
How much will individuals get from the BCBS settlement?
The $626 million represents 23.47% of the settlement fund. On its website, BCBS said, "The settlement received final approval on August 9, 2022. Payments from the settlement will be made to Class Members who submitted valid claims only after any appeals – if filed – are resolved.
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 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 much are the Facebook settlement checks?
Barring any further appeals, $397 settlement checks will go out within the next 60 days to nearly 1.6 million users in Illinois who submitted claims.
How much are the Facebook checks?
Facebook users might recognize this feature as "Tag Suggestions" notifications. The deadline to apply for that class action lawsuit passed in 2020, and users began receiving checks in the amount of $397 in May.
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.
How do I get my $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 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.
Is Facebook still sending checks?
Facebook is currently sending out settlement checks to its users, and these checks are close to $400.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How much did the Blue Cross Blue Shield settlement cost?
OLYMPIA, Wash. – A $2.67 billion settlement to resolve antitrust charges against health insurer Blue Cross Blue Shield will result in payments to some consumers of Premera and Regence health plans in Washington.
How many people does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover?
Blue Cross Blue Shield member companies cover more than 100 million Americans, or roughly a third of the nation’s population.
What states are covered by the Blue Cross Blue Shield settlement?
The settlement signed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama affects the 36 Blue Cross Blue Shield insurers nationwide. In Washington, this includes Premera Blue Cross, Regence BlueShield, Regence BlueShield of Oregon, and Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Inc.
Who is the Commissioner of Insurance for Blue Cross Blue Shield?
But Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler said the greater benefit will be increased competition among health insurers, especially those in other states that historically have had fewer choices in markets dominated by Blue Cross Blue Shield companies.
How do I Exclude Myself, or “Opt Out”, from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement?
If you do not want to be legally bound by the Settlement, you may send a request for exclusion (“opt out”). You will not receive any money, but you will keep your right to sue Blue Cross Blue Shield for the claims in this case. Opt outs must be postmarked by July 28, 2021.
When will Blue Cross Blue Shield pay out in 2021?
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement provides monetary payments to class members who submit a valid claim by November 5 , 2021. To make a claim and receive a small payment, you must file a claim form online or by mail.
How did Blue Cross Blue Shield violate antitrust laws?
The class action alleged that Blue Cross Blue Shield violated antitrust laws by entering into agreements not to compete and to limit competition among in selling health insurance and administrative services for health insurance.
When can I opt out of Blue Cross Blue Shield?
$300). Second, you can opt out of the Blue Cross Blue Shield settlement by July 28, 2021, retain your own attorney, and receive a lot more money (i.e. $3,000.00).
When did the Blue Cross Blue Shield class action lawsuit end?
The attorneys representing the plaintiffs and the defendants agreed to a $2.67 billion settlement on October 16, 2020.
When do you have to mail your exclusion request?
You must mail or email your Exclusion Request, postmarked or received by July 28, 2021, to:
How much is the BCBS settlement?
The settlement amount is $2.67 billion.
When did the BCBS settle the class action lawsuit?
In the settlement, reached on October 30, 2020, BCBS did not admit fault, but they did agree to make operational changes ...
How much money might an individual or employer receive?
The final calculation will be based on the number of respondents that join the lawsuit as class members. Sample calculations for individuals and employers are listed below.
What is the unweighted medium claimant per class action suit?
Unweighted medium claimants per class action suit = 8%. However, most potential class members in class action lawsuits are simply just letter or postcard. This suit is a very high profile one with lots of media coverage. Also, the bulk is employer based, so single employers will be collecting for groups of employees.
What happens if employees contribute to a health plan?
If employees contributed to health plan via contributions, settlement proceeds would need to be passed through to plan participants.
Is bulk insurance employer based?
Also, the bulk is employer based, so single employers will be collecting for groups of employees. Add to that the reality that essentially all large plans with significant potential settlements will certainly file, thus bringing up the both the average and the medium numbers.
Do you need to retain a law firm to receive a class action?
It is important to be aware that you do not need to retain the services of such a law firm in order to receive a potential benefit. You can “go direct” (as most class members do) and simply register as a member of the Class Action group directly on the formal website.
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 choice (“Second Blue Bid”). A…
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…