Update 5/20/26: The payouts are over, for some it’s up to $130 and for others just a few dollars.
Update 1/1/26: Funds are due to be distributed in May 2026. (ht Celia)
Insurance settlement
- Blue Cross is sued for violating antitrust laws by entering into an agreement not to compete with each other and to limit competition between them in the sale of health insurance and administrative services for health insurance.
The settlement defendants deny all allegations of wrongdoing and assert that their conduct results in lower health care costs and greater access to care for their clients. The court has not decided who is right or wrong. Instead, the plaintiffs and settling defendants have agreed to a settlement to avoid the risk and cost of further litigation.
Check your eligibility and submit a claim here
Who is eligible?
If you were covered by certain Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance plans or administrative services between February 2008 and October 2020, you may be a class member.
You may be eligible to receive payment if you are an individual, insured (and their employees), or self-funded (and their employees) account that you purchased or enrolled in a Blue Cross or Blue Shield health insurance or administrative services plan during one of the two payment class periods. Government accounts are excluded from the class.
The redemption class period for insured individuals and groups is from February 7, 2008, to October 16, 2020. The redemption class period for self-funded accounts is from September 1, 2015 to October 16, 2020. Dependents, unemployed and non-beneficiaries eligible to receive payment.
All Individuals, Insured Groups and Self-Funded Accounts that purchased or enrolled in a Blue Cross or Blue Shield health insurance or administrative services plan during the applicable Class Period will also benefit from the portions of the Settlement that require the Defendants to agree to change certain of their allegedly anticompetitive practices. Dependents, beneficiaries (including minors) and non-employees will benefit from this part of the Agreement.
How much will we get?
The Net Settlement Fund is estimated to be approximately $1.9 billion. No good estimates are given as to how much you will get while submitting.
Important dates
- February 7, 2008 to October 16, 2020 is the affected time frame for Insured Individuals and Groups
- September 1, 2015 to October 16, 2020 is the affected time frame for the self-funded account
- October 20, 2021 is the Session of Justice
- November 5, 2021 is the last date to submit an application
Final Thoughts
Many people use the different branches of Blue Cross insurance and will be eligible for this solution. Easy process to submit – they don’t force you to provide exact dates and such (although they do ask for it if possible). Some people even received a card with a unique code to use, others received one without a unique code and must use the regular deposit process. Hopefully it will end up being a good check whenever everything is sorted out.
Hat tip to reader Davis
