How much Blue Cross settlement?
– 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. The settlement signed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama affects the 36 Blue Cross Blue Shield insurers nationwide.
Why is BCBS being sued?
The lawsuit claims that Blue Cross violated antitrust laws by reducing competition in their areas, allowing for higher rates on some plans. However, Blue Cross denies allegations of wrongdoing, claiming its actions resulted in lower health care costs and greater access to customers and has agreed to a settlement. Here’s what you should know:
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield over Viagra?
This allows us to help CPAP patients with different insurance carriers in all 50 states, instead of being limited to one service area..It means they have medication coverage A drug list, is a list of drugs available to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) members.Sponsored and administered by: The Blue Cross and Blue Shield does federal blue cross blue shield cover viagra Association and participating Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.Visit your primary care physician 2020 Blue ...
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover the IUD?
My insurance does cover it fully ($400). I am opting for the copper IUD, which my Blue Cross insurance will cover. It depends on your plan. I have Blue Cross / Anthem and I was told that the cost of inserting the IUD is covered 100%, but Mirena itself isn't covered until I've met my $1000 deductible.
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.
How to find Unique ID for BCBS settlement?
19. How do I find my Unique ID? If you received a postcard or email notice from the Claims Administrator, your Unique ID was provided to you. If you received a postcard notice, your Unique ID is on the upper left corner of the inside of your postcard.
What is the BCBS antitrust settlement?
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 is Second Blue Bid?
What is a Second Blue Bid? Following final approval of the settlement, certain large, self-funded national Employers will be able to request a bid for coverage from a second Settling Individual Blue Plan, in addition to their local Settling Individual Blue Plan.
What is a settlement claim ID?
What is it? A unique settlement ID number is exactly what it sounds like: it's a number that a class action settlement administrator uses to identify who each claim belongs to.
What is the net settlement fund?
Net Settlement Fund means the net amount of the Settlement Fund after payment of court approved attorneys' fees and costs, any court approved service award and the costs of Notice, and any fees paid to the Claims Administrator.
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.
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 ...
Is Jnd legal administration legit?
JND is well-known throughout the legal industry for providing the most responsive, trustworthy, and comprehensive legal administrative service in the country.
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.
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 the customer service number for Blue Cross Blue Shield?
(888) 630-2583Blue Cross Blue Shield Association / Customer service
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 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.
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 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.
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:
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.
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 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 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 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 Blue Cross Blue Shield case?
The case was filed by a group of individuals and companies who purchased or received health insurance from a Blue Cross Blue Shield company and claim that the defendants—Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and a slew of individual Blue plans—agreed not to compete with each other in selling health insurance and administrative services. According to the lawsuit, the defendants’ alleged anticompetitive conduct caused subscribers and enrollees to pay more for insurance or administrative services than they otherwise would have paid.
Who Is Covered by the Settlement?
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.
How Much Can I Get from the Settlement?
Those who submit valid claims are eligible to receive a cash payment from the approximately $1.9 billion net settlement fund. The amount of the payment will depend on, among other factors, the amount of premiums or administrative fees you paid and the number of valid claims that are filed.
How much is the net settlement fund?
Those who submit valid claims are eligible to receive a cash payment from the approximately $1.9 billion net settlement fund. The amount of the payment will depend on, among other factors, the amount of premiums or administrative fees you paid and the number of valid claims that are filed.
Is the Blue Cross Blue Shield settlement a scam?
First off, the settlement is not a scam. It’s the result of a class action antitrust lawsuit called In re: Blue Cross Blue Shield Antitrust Litigation MDL 2406 and you can find the court-approved website for it here.
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 m…
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 …
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 e…
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 informatio…
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 allocati…