should i file bcbs settlement

If you were fully insured with BCBS 2008-2020 or self-funded with BCBS 2015-2020 then you may be able to file a claim for settlement funds. Background In October of 2020, Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies reached an agreement to settle a class action lawsuit in a case brought by subscribers related to licensing agreements within the BCBS system.

Full Answer

How do I contact Blue Cross Blue Shield settlement?

The Claims Administrator sent emails using the Blue Cross Blue Shield logos from [email protected]. The Claims Administrator also sent postcards containing Blue Cross Blue Shield logos with the return address “Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement, c/o JND Legal Administration, P.O. Box 91390, Seattle, WA 98111”.

What was the settlement in the BCBS case?

While the BCBS Companies rejected claims made by the plaintiffs in the case, they agreed to provide monetary payments to eligible individualsand employersand to make some operations changes across the Blue Cross and Blue Shield system. The parties agreed to a settlement to avoid the risk and cost of further litigation.

How do I file a BCBS a claim?

A claim must be submitted online at www.BCBSsettlement.com or postmarked by mail no later than November 5, 2021. Paper claim forms are available at the settlement website or can be requested by calling (888) 681-1142. If no claim is filed, there is no default award amount that will automatically be distributed to that potential claimant.

How much will my employer receive from the BCBS settlement?

It is very difficult to estimate how much any employer or individual might receive as a payment. There have been tens of millions of people covered under BCBS plans during the settlement period and the settlement includes 13 years for fully-insured plans (2008-2020). During that time, trillions of dollars of insured premium were paid.

What is happening with BCBS 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.

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.

How much did people get from Facebook settlement?

– Facebook's parent company – finally reached a settlement agreement worth a total of $90 million.

How much are the Facebook settlement checks?

$397Barring 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.

Is Facebook still sending checks?

Facebook is currently sending out settlement checks to its users, and these checks are close to $400.

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.

Did Facebook send out settlement checks?

In 2021, Facebook agreed to a $650 million settlement to a suit that alleged it broke Illinois' biometric laws by collecting and storing users' physical characteristics without their consent. Nearly 1.6 million Facebook users in the state each received $397 payouts.

How do I get my money from Facebook lawsuit?

The lawsuit is known as Facebook Internet Tracking Litigation. Meta denies that it violated any law but has agreed to the settlement to avoid the costs and risks associated with continuing the case. To receive a payment from the settlement, you need to submit a claim form by September 22, 2022.

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 ...

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 long is BCBS settlement?

There have been tens of millions of people covered under BCBS plans during the settlement period and the settlement includes 13 years for fully-insured plans (2008-2020). During that time, trillions of dollars of insured premium were paid. Much will depend on the participation and claim filing rates of employers and individuals.

When do BCBS claims have to be posted?

Answer: After the claims period has closed (remember the deadline to file/postmark your claim is November 5, 2021), the settlement claims administrator will create a secure portal on the settlement website and post the year-by-year premiums and/or administrative fees (which form the basis of the claimant’s ultimate distribution) assigned to each claimant, based on data provided by the BCBS plan and any other information gather by the claim administrator through the claim process. While this figure will not represent the claimant’s settlement payment, it will identify the basis for calculating such payment. Claimants will be able to review the paid premium or fees used to calculate their award and can contest those figures and request a correction within 30 days of the secure portal posting.

What is a JND settlement agreement?

Answer: The settlement agreement requires that each BCBS plan provide the settlement claim administrator (JND Legal Administration) with billed premium and fee information and covered lives counts, as well contact information for class members, including a personal identifier (“unique ID”) that will be assigned to each potential claimant.

What is the settlement of a class action lawsuit?

In October of 2020, Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies reached an agreement to settle a class action lawsuit in a case brought by subscribers related to licensing agreements within the BCBS system. While the BCBS Companies rejected claims made by the plaintiffs in the case, they agreed to provide monetary payments to eligible individuals and employers and to make some operations changes across the Blue Cross and Blue Shield system. The parties agreed to a settlement to avoid the risk and cost of further litigation. The settlement terms will be reviewed by the Court on October 20, 2021 to determine if the settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate.

What entities are eligible to file a claim?

Entities such as multiemployer welfare arrangements (MEWAs), Associations, and Taft Hartley Plans are also eligible to file a claim. BCBS Medical, dental, pharmacy, vision and stop-loss products are included. Enrollment only in a stand-alone vision or dental plan does not qualify for settlement consideration.

What is the phone number for settlement?

In addition, there is a settlement customer service line, (888) 681-1142, that employers or individuals may use to speak to a representative ...

Is a BCBS employee a class member?

Answer: Both employers (i.e. plan sponsors), and employees (but not dependents) covered under group health plans, as well as individuals purchasing BCBS insurance directly, are class members if they purchased or were enrolled in:

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 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:

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.”

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.

When did the BCBS settlement come into effect?

After eight years of litigation, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association companies reached an agreement on October 30, 2020, pertaining to their alleged national anti-competitive policies.

How much did the Blue Cross Blue Shield settlement cost?

A tentative settlement was reached with Blue Cross Blue Shield agreeing to pay settlement class members. This $1.9 billion settlement applies to individuals who have branded BCBS individual policies, some self-insured groups, fully insured groups and the employees of these companies.

What is the Blue Cross Blue Shield agreement?

After eight years of litigation, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association companies reached an agreement on October 30, 2020, pertaining to their alleged national anti-competitive policies. The legal dispute claimed a violation of antitrust law by splitting insurance markets to avoid competition among its member companies.

What is the BCBS settlement?

In October of 2020, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Association and member plans reached an agreement to settle a class action lawsuit brought by subscribers alleging antitrust violations. While the companies denied the allegations, they agreed to the settlement to avoid further litigation costs and risks. The Court’s settlement terms will be ...

Can employers direct employees to settlement website?

Plan sponsors are not obligated to notify employees about the settlement or advise them on what to do, but since there are likely to be questions, employers can simply direct employees to the settlement website.

Is BCBS settlement time consuming?

As a final note, the BCBS settlement claims process is not complicated or time-consuming. Although you may receive solicitations from third parties offering to assist in filing a claim in exchange for a portion of the proceeds, it is unlikely that any professional assistance should be needed.

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?

Who Is Covered by The Settlement?

How Do I File A Claim?

• The easiest way to file a claim is to use the online portal on the settlement website, found here. You’ll need your unique ID from the email or postcard you received. (If you don’t have a unique ID, you can still file a claim using the same portal.) You can also download a copy of the claim form, found here, and mail it to the below address: All cl...

See more on classaction.org

Where Can I Find More Information?