In 2024, a settlement was reached in a long-running class action lawsuit against Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) brought by physicians, hospitals, large health systems and provider organizations. The lawsuit alleged a range of antitrust violations by BCBS, including price fixing and allocating markets using exclusive service areas. In addition to $2.8 billion in damages, the Settlement Agreement requires BCBS to make hundreds of millions of dollars in investments to improve claims processing, including the processing of BlueCard claims.
Physicians, medical groups and health care facilities may be eligible to submit a claim as part of the settlement reached with the BCBS system if they provided health care services, equipment or supplies to Blue Plan patients between July 24, 2008, and October 4, 2024.
The claims period is open and runs until July 29, 2025.
This Settlement Class includes all Providers in the U.S. (except Excluded Providers FAQ 5, 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 (“Settlement Class Period”). Class Members who submit a valid approved claim (“Authorized Claimants”) will receive a payment from the Net Settlement Fund if the Settlement is approved.