As part of the settlement, the plans deny all allegations of wrongdoing. Anyone who was enrolled in a Blue Cross Blue Shield individual or group insurance plan between Feb. 7, 2008 and Oct. 16, 2020 may be eligible for money. Those enrolled in a self-funded account between Sept. 1, 2015 and Oct. 16, 2020 also may be eligible.
Full Answer
What is the settlement with Blue Cross Blue Shield?
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.
How do I contact BCBS settlement?
The claim administrator can also be contacted by email at [email protected]. Q: Who are settlement class members? 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 the BCBS lawsuit?
The attorneys representing class members (Plaintiffs) allege that the affiliated BCBS Companies (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.
What does the BCBS settlement mean for Home Depot?
As part of the settlement, BCBS companies agreed to make changes in the way they do business to increase opportunities for competition in the market for health insurance. However, Home Depot has argued the settlement doesn't go far enough in boosting competition among the Blue insurers, according to The Wall Street Journal.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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?
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 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.
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 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.
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 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:
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…
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 claim forms must be submitted online or postm…
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…