is blue cross blue shield class action settlement legitimate

Full Answer

What does the Blue Cross/Blue Shield settlement cover?

The settlement also covers self-funded accounts (and their employees) who purchased or were enrolled in a Blue Cross or Blue Shield health insurance or administrative services plan between September 1, 2015 and October 16, 2020.

Is there a class action lawsuit against Blue Cross Blue Shield?

This class action is called In re: Blue Cross Blue Shield Antitrust Litigation MDL 2406, N.D. Ala., Master File No. 2:13-cv-20000-RDP and is pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama Southern Division. U.S. District Court Judge R. David Proctor is overseeing this class action.

Who is covered by the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Act?

The settlement covers individuals and insured groups (and their employees) who purchased or were enrolled in a Blue Cross or Blue Shield health insurance or administrative services plan between February 7, 2008 and October 16, 2020.

Who is eligible to receive payment from the settlement class periods?

You may be eligible to receive payment if you are an Individual, Insured Group 1 (and their employees) or Self-Funded Account 2 (and their employees) that purchased or were enrolled in a Blue Cross or Blue Shield health insurance or administrative services plan during one of the two Settlement Class Periods.

What was the outcome of the Blue Cross Blue Shield settlement?

The judge has awarded legal fees of $626 million, representing 23.47% of the settlement fund. A long-running $2.7 billion antitrust settlement against Blue Cross Blue Shield has been finalized in federal court. U.S. District Court Judge R.

Is the Blue Cross Blue Shield settlement real?

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 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 ...

What is BCBS settlement email?

[email protected] settlement website is www.bcbssettlement.com. The toll-free settlement hotline is 1-888-681-1142. The email address is [email protected].

Is ClassAction org legit?

ClassAction.org is a group of online professionals who are committed to exposing corporate wrongdoing and giving consumers the tools they need to fight back. We've been reporting on the legal space for nearly a decade and have built relationships with class action and mass tort attorneys across the country.

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JND is well-known throughout the legal industry for providing the most responsive, trustworthy, and comprehensive legal administrative service in the country.

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 ...

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 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:

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 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.

When did Blue Cross Blue Shield settle?

The settlement was reached in October 2020 after the Blue Cross Blue Shield plans were sued for allegedly violating antitrust laws, according to https://www.bcbssettlement.com, the settlement's official website.

What to do if you didn't receive a settlement email?

If you didn't receive an email or postcard about the settlement and feel that you qualify, you can file a claim on the settlement's website , which I mentioned above.

How did settlement defendants violate antitrust laws?

Plaintiffs allege that Settling Defendants violated antitrust laws by entering into an agreement not to compete and to limit competition among themselves in selling health insurance and administrative services for health insurance.

What happens if you do nothing in the settlement?

If you do nothing, you will remain a member of the Settlement Classes and be bound by the Settlement. However, if you had been entitled to share in the Settlement proceeds, you will not get a payment.

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 and on the Settlement Website. When required, sufficient documentation shall include an attestation signed under penalty of perjury when other documentation is no longer available.

When is the class period for a fully insured individual?

The class period for the fully insured Individuals and Insured Groups (and their employees) is from February 7, 2008, through October 16, 2020.

Who is included in the Injunctive Relief Class?

Dependents, beneficiaries (including minors), and non-employees are included in the Injunctive Relief Class.

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 ...

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 ...

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.

Can you sue a settlement defendant?

This means that you cannot sue, continue to sue, or be part of any other lawsuit against Settling Defendants that makes claims based on the facts and legal theories involved in this case or any of the business practices the Settling Defendants adopt pursuant to the Settlement Agreement.

Did the court decide in favor of the plaintiffs or settlement defendants?

The Court did not decide in favor of the Plaintiffs or Settling Defendants. Instead, both sides have agreed to the Settlement. Both sides want to avoid the risk and cost of further litigation. The Plaintiffs and their attorneys think the Settlement is best for the Settlement Classes. 5.

Do you have to file a lawsuit to join a class action?

Individual class members do not have to file a lawsuit to participate in the class action settlement or be bound by the judgment in the class action. One court resolves the issues for everyone in the class, except for those who exclude themselves from the class. 4. Why is there a Settlement?

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.

How much is the Blue Cross settlement?

If you purchased or were enrolled in a Blue Cross or Blue Shield health insurance or administrative services plan between 2008 and 2020, a $2.67 billion Settlement may affect your rights.

Is the class action lawsuit legitimate?

It's legitimate. Just a class action lawsuit.

Can you sue yourself in a class action lawsuit?

Generally with class action lawsuits youre waiving your right to sue them yourself.