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.
How long has BCBSA been in litigation?
With BCBSA representing nearly a third of Americans with private health insurance, the impact of such allegations is massive. After 8 years of litigation, 15 million pages of documents, over 120 depositions, and more than a dozen motions to dismiss the plaintiff’s claims, all 36 members of the BCBSA have agreed to a proposed $2.67 billion ...
Why did the BCBSA charge higher rates?
The class members claimed that the rules allowed BCBSA members to charge significantly higher rates by not competing with each other. With limiting competition between each member of the association, members were able to create artificially high rates that consumers were forced to pay due to lack of other options.
What is refund recovery group?
Refund Recovery Group is a leading outsource solution in class action recoveries. Our team has helped thousands of individuals and companies recover millions of dollars in refunds from these settlements. We welcome the opportunity to assist you in recovering a refund from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Antitrust Litigation. Oftentimes eligible parties fail to file a claim because they believe that the potential refund is not worth their effort or they are just too busy - so let us do the work for you. We only recover if you do.
How much is the Blue Cross Blue Shield settlement?
If you were covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance or administrative services plans between February 2008 and October 2020, you may be owed a cash refund from this $2.67 billion settlement. The settlement was agreed to after allegations that the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association used price fixing to artificially raise the price ...
When is the Blue Cross Blue Shield refund due?
If you were covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance or administrative services plans between February 2008 and October 2020, you may be owed a cash refund from this $2.67 billion settlement. The settlement was agreed to after allegations that the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association used price fixing to artificially raise the price of insurance rates across the country. Filing Deadline: November 5, 2021
When is the deadline for class action lawsuits in 2021?
As the November 5, 2021, filing deadline has passed, we are no longer accepting clients for this class action.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 many members of large, geographically dispersed, self-funded national Employers are eligible for the second blue?
The Second Blue Bid provision of the Settlement Agreement was designed to enable 33 million Members of large, geographically dispersed, self-funded national Employers to have the opportunity to receive a Second Blue Bid.
Why is the Court approving the settlement notice?
The Court authorized the Notice because Class Members have a right to know about the proposed Settlement of certain claims against Settling Defendants in this class action lawsuit and about Class Members' options before the Court decides whether to approve the Settlement. If the Court approves the Settlement, and after objections ...
What is the purpose of a claims administrator?
The Claims Administrator is required to keep this information confidential and use it only for the purposes of effectuating a notice plan, administering and calculating claims, distributing Settlement funds, and otherwise carrying out the work necessary to administer the Settlement.
What does "objecting" mean in court?
Objecting is telling the Court that you do not like something about the Settlement. You can object only if you do not exclude yourself from the Settlement Classes. Excluding yourself is telling the Court that you do not want to be part of the Settlement Classes or the lawsuit as outlined in FAQ 28.
What is a class action lawsuit?
In a class action lawsuit, one or more people or businesses called class representatives sue on behalf of others who have similar claims. All of the people or businesses who have similar claims together are a “class” or “class members” if the class is certified by the Court. Individual class members do not have to file a lawsuit to participate in ...
Is Medicare Supplemental covered by Settlement?
Medicare Advantage policies are not within the scope of products included in the Settlement classes. However, Medicare Supplemental policies are within the scope of products included in the Settlement classes, so long as they meet the other criteria (e.g., dates of coverage).
Is Blue Cross Blue Shield a class member?
If you were covered by certain Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance or administrative services plans between February 2008 and October 2020, you may be a Class Member. The Court certified two Settlement Classes in this case, a Damages Class and an Injunctive Relief Class. You may be included in both Settlement Classes.
What is the proposed settlement for Blue Cross Blue Shield?
The proposed settlement resolves claims that Blue Cross Blue Shield companies conspired to limit competition, in turn boosting costs for policyholders.
How long does it take to fill out a claim form?
Filling out the claim form takes only a few minutes. You will need your insurance subscriber information.
