The Blue Cross Blue Shield settlement appeal was resolved earlier in 2024; the class members who have filed the claim form are anticipating the payout date. The settlement class members have been waiting for the payout for more than two years from the $2.67 billion settlement fund.
The class action against BCBS was filed more than a decade ago, and the affected BCBS health insurance participants have been waiting for the payout. It’s been five years since the class members filed the claim form for the BCBS settlement on 05 November 2021.
The class members with a valid claim for the BCBS settlement can expect the payout from the administrator in mid-2025. The lawsuit was filed claiming that the defendants have deliberately come into an agreement not to compete, which is not good for the market and the customers.
| Settlement | BCBS settlement |
| Fund | $2.67 billion |
| Net Settlement Fund | $1.9 billion |
| Who qualifies? | People who bought and enrolled in the BCBS administrative services or health insurance plans |
| Class period | February 2008 to October 2020 |
| Average Payout | $333 |
| Payment Expectations | By Mid-2025 |
| Settlement website | https://www.bcbssettlement.com/ |
How to check the status?
The BCBS settlement class members who have filed the claim form in 2021 can check the status of the claim in the following steps to get assurance that they will receive the payout:
- First, you should browse the BCBS settlement website.
- Next, you should go to the I Would Like To section and click the “Check My Claim Status.”
- Afterwards, input your BCBS settlement Unique ID or claim number mentioned in the notice.
- Once you enter the claim number/ Unique ID assigned to you for the BCBS settlement and click the submit button, your settlement status will appear on your screen.
If you have any queries about the BCBS settlement and wish to reach out to the claim administrator can contact the administrator through the same steps, simply choose the “Contact the claim administrator.”
Who is eligible?
The BCBS settlement administrator has set the following eligibility criteria for the settlement class members who will be entitled to receive the payout:
- Your enrollment in BCBS health insurance plans or administrative services provided coverage for your health insurance between February 2008 to October 2020.
- You must be an individual, self-funded account, or from the insured group or their employees who are/ were enrolled or bought the BCBS administrative services and health insurance plans during the different class period.
- The class action interval for self-funded accounts and their employees is from September 01, 2015, to October 16, 2020. In contrast, the class period for individuals and insured groups is determined from February 7, 2008, until October 16, 2020.
Payout Amount
The BCBS has promised to settle the class action lawsuit with a $2.67 billion fund; however, the fund will first be used to cover the administration cost, attorney fees & cost, and other expenses. The net settlement money, which will be used to reimburse the class members, will be approximately $1.9 billion after the settlement expenses are paid.
The $1.9 billion fund will be allocated to create two distinct funds – first, $1.78 billion is designated for compensating individuals, insured groups, and their workers, while the remaining $120 million is kept aside for self-funded accounts and their employees.
The payout for each claimant will depend on many factors, such as valid claims, premium paid on the health insurance plan, whether the insurance is self-funded or fully insured, etc. However, as per the reports, around 6 million people will receive the payout, and they can expect to receive an average payout of $333.
The payout amount is not definite, so the class members can expect changes in the payment when the administrator begins the distribution of the BCBS settlement payout.
Injunctive Relief
With the monetary relief, the class members of BCBS can expect the following relief as well, which can help the people associated with BCBS health insurance plans:
- The defendant agreed to improve their business strategies to ensure the business does not violate any law and create healthy competition in the market.
- The defendant plans to set up a committee to monitor or mediate any dispute to set up the injunctive relief and ensure everything as per the laws. The committee will be formed for at least five years and will approve the system improvement as per the promised relief.
The class members of the BCBS settlement have been waiting for the payout for a long time, their wait can end now, as the administrator can process the payment by mid-2025. The administrator will provide updates regarding the payment distribution as soon as it starts, so class members are advised to monitor the settlement website to stay updated.