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Blue Cross Blue Shield has begun distributing payments from a $2.67 billion class action antitrust settlement, with the initial round of disbursements starting this month.
At the heart of the dispute was a 2013 lawsuit accusing Blue Cross Blue Shield-affiliated companies — more than 30 in total — of carving up markets and suppressing competitive activity, with plaintiffs contending those behaviors pushed premiums higher and narrowed consumers' coverage choices. Blue Cross Blue Shield denied the allegations, and no court verdict was reached — the parties settled in October 2020.
According to Gray News, the deadline drew roughly 6 million claim submissions, with individual payouts anticipated to land near $333. Once legal fees and administrative expenses are deducted, Yahoo Finance reports the remaining pool stands at roughly $1.9 billion; claimants whose share would amount to $5 or less are excluded from receiving any disbursement.
To be eligible, a policyholder must have been covered by a Blue Cross or Blue Shield health plan between 2008 and 2020 and filed a claim before the 2021 deadline. The claims filing window is now closed.
According to the settlement website, notices are going out by email and postcard as claims are processed. Recipients who find the details in their notice accurate need not respond. For anyone wanting to challenge figures such as premium amounts, a link in the notice allows supporting documents to be submitted digitally, or paperwork can be sent by mail to Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement, c/o JND Legal Administration, PO Box 91390, Seattle, WA 98111.
In addition to the monetary settlement, Blue Cross Blue Shield agreed to make changes to its business practices that plaintiffs contend will increase competition in the health insurance market. All appeals have been resolved and the settlement is final.
For additional assistance, the settlement helpline is reachable at 888-681-1142, and inquiries can also be directed to info@BCBSsettlement.com.