If so, you may be entitled to compensation as a result of a recent $2.8 billion settlement.
0
days
Plaintiff providers allege that Settling Defendants - Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and Settling Individual Blue Plans - engaged in anticompetitive practices that violated antitrust laws. Specifically, they assert that Settling Defendants engaged in illegal division of the United States into "Service Areas" and entered into subsequent agreements to refrain from competition within these designated regions. Additionally, the Plaintiffs assert that the Settling Defendants engaged in price-fixing practices for their provided services.
Instead of pursuing further legal proceedings, both parties have opted for a Settlement to mitigate the potential risks and expenses associated with continued litigation. Settling Defendants have firmly rejected all accusations of misconduct and maintain their innocence in the face of these claims.
This class action is called In re: Blue Cross Blue Shield Antitrust Litigation, MDL 2406, N.D. Ala., Master File No. 2:13-cv-20000-RDP, and is pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Southern Division.
U.S. District Judge R. David Proctor is overseeing this matter.
The Settlement Class includes all Providers in the U.S. (other than Excluded Providers, who are not part of the Settlement Class) who currently provide or provided healthcare services, equipment or supplies to any patient who was insured by, or was a Member of or a beneficiary of, any plan administered by any Settling Individual Blue Plan from July 24, 2008 to October 4, 2024
Specific Definitions:
“Provider” means any person or entity that provides healthcare services in the U.S., including but not limited to a physician, group practice, or facility.
“Excluded Providers” are (i) Providers owned or employed by any of the Settling Defendants; (ii) Providers owned or employed exclusively by Government Entities or Providers that exclusively provided services, equipment or supplies to members of or participants in Medicare, Medicaid or the Federal Employee Health Benefits Programs; (iii) Providers that have otherwise fully released their Released Claims against the Releasees prior to the Execution Date, including but not limited to Providers that were members of any of the settlement classes in Love v. Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, No. 1:03-cv-21296-FAM (S.D. Fla.); or (iv) Providers that exclusively provide or provided (a) prescription drugs; (b) durable medical equipment; (c) medical devices; (d) supplies or services provided in an independent clinical laboratory; or (e) services, equipment or supplies covered by standalone dental or vision insurance. Any Provider that falls within the exclusion(s) set forth in clauses (i), (ii) or (iv) of this paragraph for only a portion of the Settlement Class Period is a Settlement Class Member that may recover in the Settlement.
Any Provider who was a member of any of the settlement classes in Love v. Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, and who did not opt out, will be considered an Excluded Provider. Such Excluded Providers include medical doctors who were licensed to practice prior to March 12, 2008.
Dental or vision providers who exclusively provided services, equipment or supplies covered by standalone dental or vision insurance are not Settlement Class Members.
You must file a a valid claim by July 29, 2025.
If you take no action:
1. You will remain a member of the Settlement Class
2. You will be bound by the terms of the Settlement
3. You will forfeit any potential payment you might have been entitled to receive from the Settlement proceeds
In essence, by doing nothing, you maintain your class membership but lose the opportunity to receive any financial benefit from the Settlement.
The (net) settlement funds (after payment of attorneys fees and other costs) will be distributed to Settlement Class Members.
Here is a summary of the proposed split/distribution:
92% allocated to the Hospital/Facility Net Settlement Fund:
These funds are separate. If claim submission rates differ between funds, payments to Authorized Claimants in the fund with lower submission rates may increase proportionately, without affecting the other fund's payments.
Injunctive Relief
Providers who remain in the settlement will benefit from significant improvements to the BlueCard Program, including:
1. Cloud-based system architecture for enhanced information access
2. Prompt pay commitment with interest for late payments
3. Service Level Agreements for timely responses
4. Appointment of BlueCard Executives for accountability
5. Real-time messaging system for faster issue resolution
6. National Executive Resolution Group for ongoing improvements
Additional changes include:
- Modified Contiguous Area Rule for expanded contracting
- Limits on all-products clauses
- Improved transparency on third-party involvement
- Standardized minimum data requirements and appeals forms
- Enhanced pre-authorization and telehealth processes
- Value-based care offerings and best practices
A Monitoring Committee will oversee compliance for five years post-settlement
NPI/TIN Identification Process:
Allowed Amounts Review Process:
Disclaimer
Class members are not required to sign up with any third-party service in order to participate in the monetary relief, but may instead file their claim directly with the Class Administrator. No-cost assistance will be available from the Class Administrator and Class Counsel during the claims-filing period. For additional information class members may visit court approved website for this case https://www.bcbsprovidersettlement.com/.
Please note this website and its contents are not substitutes for legal advice. Nothing in this website should be construed as legal advice. Class Action Settlement House, LLC works with companies to assist them in the filing of claims in various class action settlements. However, Class Action Settlement House, LLC is not a law firm and cannot provide legal representation or legal advice. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact counsel of your choice to obtain legal advice.
(727) 436-2274