Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement
You might have heard about the Blue Cross Blue Shield settlement that was reached in the pending class action lawsuit against the health insurance company. The pending 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.
The class action alleged that Blue Cross Blue Shield violated antitrust laws by entering into agreements not to compete and to limit competition among in selling health insurance and administrative services for health insurance.
Members of the class action are individuals and companies that purchased or received health insurance provided or administered by a Blue Cross Blue Shield company between February 7, 2008 and October 16, 2020. The attorneys representing the plaintiffs and the defendants agreed to a $2.67 billion settlement on October 16, 2020.
If you are member of the class action, you have two options with rapidly approaching deadlines. First, you can submit a claim by November 5, 2021 to receive a small amount of money (i.e. $300). Second, you can opt out of the Blue Cross Blue Shield settlement by July 28, 2021, retain your own attorney, and receive a lot more money (i.e. $3,000.00).
However, you will get more money by opting out of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement. The benefits of opting out of a class action settlement and pursing your own claim, was explained in our prior article about the Equifax class action settlement. In short, you should always opt out of a class action because doing so will get you more money.
How to opt out or file a claim and the deadlines for doing so are discussed below. More detailed instructions for submitting a claim or opting out of the class action can be found on the Settlement Website.
How do I Exclude Myself, or “Opt Out”, from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement?
If you do not want to be legally bound by the Settlement, you may send a request for exclusion (“opt out”). You will not receive any money, but you will keep your right to sue Blue Cross Blue Shield for the claims in this case. Opt outs must be postmarked by July 28, 2021.
This requires submitting a written request stating your intent to exclude yourself from the settlement (an “Exclusion Request”). Your Exclusion Request must include the following:
(a) your name, including the name of your business (if your business purchased health insurance from a Blue Cross or Blue Shield entity during the Class Period for employees), address, and telephone number;
(b) a statement that you want to be excluded from the Damages Class in In re: Blue Cross Blue Shield Antitrust Litigation; and
(c) your personal, physical signature (electronic signatures, including DocuSign, or PDF signatures are not permitted and will not be considered personal signatures).
You must mail or email your Exclusion Request, postmarked or received by July 28, 2021, to:
Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement
c/o JND Legal Administration – Exclusion Dpt.
PO Box 91393 Seattle, WA 98111
or
How do I Make a Claim and Get a Payment from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement?
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement provides monetary payments to class members who submit a valid claim by November 5, 2021. To make a claim and receive a small payment, you must file a claim form online or by mail.
Claims may be submitted online at www.BCBSsettlement.com or by mail to:
Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement
c/o JND Legal Administration
PO Box 91390
Seattle, WA 98111
Opt Out of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Class Action and Contact Gulisano Law
If you like more money, it is in your best interest to opt out of the Blue Cross Blue Shield settlement but you must do so by July 28, 2021.
Gulisano Law is interested in representing Florida residents you want to opt out of the Blue Cross Blue Shield settlement. Our representation would be on a contingency fee basis, which means there is no attorney fees unless you win. It should be a no-brainer.
If you are possibly interested in opting out and retaining your own attorney, please contact us at 954-947-3972 or .
Blue Cross Blue Shield Antitrust Update!
The deadline to opt out of the Blue Cross Blue Shield settlement passed on July 28, 2021. It is no longer possible to opt out of the class action. However, numerous individuals contacted Gulisano Law before that date and we assisted them in opting out. On September 27, 2021, Gulisano Law filed its own antitrust lawsuit against Blue Cross and Blue Shield on behalf of our clients.
A copy of the complaint from that lawsuit can be viewed here.
