Is the Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement Legit? Here’s What You Need to Know

Have you gotten an email or a postcard that says something about a Blue Cross Blue Shield class action settlement? Or maybe you’ve seen an ad about it?

If you’ve got questions, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to find out more about the settlement, who it covers, and what you could get if you file a claim.

Is the Settlement Legit?

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.

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.

The defendants have denied any wrongdoing, and the court has not decided who is right. Instead, the parties have decided to settle the matter to avoid the risk and cost of further litigation.

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 resolved, so be aware that you won’t get your money until after the fairness hearing on October 20, 2021, when a judge will decide whether to put a final stamp of approval on the deal.

The settlement also includes injunctive relief, which means the defendants will be required to change their practices to promote competition in the health insurance market.

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 insurance or administrative services plan between September 1, 2015 and October 16, 2020.

Both the insured groups and the self-funded accounts include employers and other groups, such as Taft-Hartley plans, multi-employer welfare arrangements, association health plans, retiree groups and other non-employer groups.

If you’re not sure whether you fall into these groups, you can find more specific details under Question 5 of the class notice. You can also contact the settlement administrator at info@BCBSsettlement.com or call toll-free at (888) 681-1142.

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 postmarked by November 5, 2021.

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 info@BCBSsettlement.com or call toll-free at (888) 681-1142.

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