Only members of the Damages Class are required to file a claim form. Class Members who submit a valid Blue Cross Blue Shield settlement claim will receive a cash payment from the $1.9 billion remaining in the settlement fund after attorneys’ fees and other expenses are paid.
Full Answer
How do I file a Blue Cross Blue Shield settlement?
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. Claims may be submitted online at www.BCBSsettlement.com or by mail to:
Is the Blue Cross Blue Shield settlement legitimate?
Did you stop to wonder if it's legitimate? It is, but it’s not any kind of windfall to get too excited about. The proposed settlement resolves claims that Blue Cross Blue Shield companies conspired to limit competition, in turn boosting costs for policyholders. A judge still needs to approve the settlement.
How do I make a claim outside of the Blue Cross network?
If you use a provider outside of our network, you'll need to complete and file a claim form to be reimbursed. Use this form to submit a health benefit claim for services that are covered under the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan.
What is the future of Blue Cross and blue shield?
Regardless of today’s settlement, Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies remain strong, and the exceptional services and capabilities they provide will continue. We will continue to lead the industry with healthcare solutions designed to improve the health of our members. We have over 500 products with almost 50 carriers in every state.
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:
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 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.
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.
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.
Where to file a claim for unemployment in 2021?
You must file a claim form online or by mail postmarked November 5, 2021. Claims may be submitted online at www.BCBSsettlement.com or by mail to:
How will FI payments be distributed?
Payments will be distributed on a proportional basis across all FI Authorized Claimants based on their estimated premiums.
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 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.
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 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.
What is the settlement of BCBS?
The settlement resolves a class action lawsuit alleging that BCBS insurers “agreed not to compete with each other 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 market for health insurance and administration of Commercial Health Benefit Products.”
How much is the settlement, and how much will individuals and employers receive?
The website does say that “Class Members who submit valid claims may receive a cash payment from the Net Settlement Fund,” which, “after deducting attorneys’ fees, administration expenses and other costs from the $2.67 billion Settlement Fund,” will be about $1.9 billion.
Who is part of the settlement classes?
Individuals, fully- and self-insured employers, and employees who “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” may be eligible for a payment under the settlement. The settlement class periods are:
How do people file a claim?
Claims can be filed online or by mail by November 5, 2021. Individuals, employees, and employers who fail to file a claim “will remain a member of the Settlement Classes and be bound by the Settlement” but “will not get a payment.” The only way to receive a payment from the settlement is to fill out a claim form. Of course, as with any class action lawsuit, individuals can choose to exclude themselves from the class and retain their right to sue.
Why is it important to know that the defendants deny all allegations of wrongdoing?
It is important to know that the defendants “deny all allegations of wrongdoing” and “assert that their conduct results in lower healthcare costs and greater access to care for their customers.” Furthermore, “The Court has not decided who is right or wrong” in the case. Instead, the plaintiffs and the defendants have “agreed to a Settlement to avoid the risk and cost of further litigation.”
Can you file more than one BCBS claim?
When filing a claim, members and prior members will be asked to provide member and group numbers for any BCBS policy they had during the claim period, and they can provide information for more than one policy if they have been a BCBS member more than once, which is certainly possible given the twelve-year timespan.
Will there be a payment for a claimant whose payment totals $5.00 or less?
The website does say that for any claimant whose payment totals $5.00 or less, no payment will be made . It also says that “No distributions will be made until there is a final resolution of all determinations and disputes that could potentially impact the Claims Payments,” so the settlement administrators are asking people to be patient.
Is The Settlement Legit?
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. Payments will not be sent out until the settlement receives final approval and any appeals are re…
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. The settlement also covers self-funded accounts (and their employees) who purchased or were enrolled in a Blue Cross or Blue Shield health insu…
Where Can I Find More Information?
- For more information, check out the settlement website, particularly the FAQ section. If you still can’t find what you’re looking for, you can reach out to the settlement administrator at [email protected] or call toll-free at (888) 681-1142. If you’re interested in getting class action news and updates, including information about settlements, sent straight to your inbox, si…