Is the blue cross blue shield settlement email real

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You may be a part of the $2.67 billion settlement

Posted at 4:52 PM, Jul 09, 2021

and last updated 2021-07-10 15:21:38-04

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — If you have ever had Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) health insurance since 2008, you probably recently received a notice in the mail or by email that you are a part of a $2.67 billion settlement that may affect your rights.

Yes, it’s real. But, what does that actually mean?

BCBS companies sued the BCBS Association for violating antitrust laws. The association denies all claims.

What did the court decide?

A BCBS Association spokesperson told 7 Eyewitness News that both parties reached a settlement, and the Association agreed to make some operational changes. They also agreed to pay members involved in the case.

Are you eligible?

You are if you were covered by BCBS between February 2008 and October 2020.

What can you do next?

You have a few different options:

You can do nothing and get no money.
You can asked to be excluded and get no money.
You can object the settlement.
You can file a claim and possibly be compensated.

You can file a claim here. It does not take very long, but you do need your unique ID that was sent to you.

All claims by mail or online must be filed by November 5. The next hearing is October 20.

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Human Resources is informing employees that they may have received or may soon receive an email or postcard notice regarding a settlement of class action claims involving the University’s health insurance carrier, Anthem/Blue Cross Blue Shield. The settlement may provide recovery rights to members of the Purdue community. Based on the federal court’s orders regarding the settlement, Blue Cross Blue Shield is required to notify all potential claimants of the settlement and how they can file a claim.

“We are aware of the settlement and the fact many current and former employees are receiving notices informing them that they may be eligible to receive funds,” says Candace Shaffer, senior director of benefits in Human Resources. “The emails, postcards, etc., that employees are receiving are not spam, but rather legitimate information that each employee should review and act upon as deemed appropriate.”

Note: Purdue cannot answer questions or advise employees on what they should do in terms of the settlement. Employees are encouraged to visit the Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement website to learn more about the settlement and determine whether they want to file a claim.

Are you among the millions of people who received a letter or email from Blue Cross Blue Shield about a settlement? Did you stop to wonder if it's legitimate?

It is, but it’s not any kind of windfall to get too excited about.

The proposed settlement resolves claims that Blue Cross Blue Shield companies conspired to limit competition, in turn boosting costs for policyholders.

A judge still needs to approve the settlement.

If that happens, a $2.67 billion settlement fund will be established.

Some of that money will go to BCBS subscribers, much of it will go to attorneys.

To opt in and get a payment, you need to submit a claim by Nov 5. You must enroll to be included.

Filling out the claim form takes only a few minutes. You will need your insurance subscriber information.

While the settlement amount is large, the amount any individual gets depends on the number of people who participate in the class action.

It’s typically cents on the dollar.

One calculation 5 On Your Side saw estimates that anyone who qualifies and had BCBS for five years would get less than $14. But again, that could go up or down depending on participants.

I almost skipped over the email when it arrived last week in my personal account.

The email's title said "Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement" and I initially thought it was just one of the dozens of junk emails I receive every day.

Once I examined the email a bit closer, I realized it was an opportunity to file a claim as part of a tentative $2.67 billion settlement class-action settlement against more than 35 Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance plans, including Highmark.

I'm sure many of you have received similar emails or postcards in recent months.

The settlement was reached in October 2020 after the Blue Cross Blue Shield plans were sued for allegedly violating antitrust laws, according to https://www.bcbssettlement.com, the settlement's official website.

The plans were accused of illegally entering into an agreement not to compete with each other and to restrict competition among themselves. As part of the settlement, they deny all allegations of wrongdoing.

You may be eligible for money if you were enrolled in a Blue Cross Blue Shield individual or group insurance plan between Feb. 7, 2008 and Oct. 16, 2020. You also may be eligible if you were enrolled in a self-funded account from Sept. 1, 2015 through Oct. 16, 2020.

Dependents and beneficiaries are not eligible to receive payments.

So, the question I had was, how much money will I receive?

It depends on how many valid claims are filed, how much I paid in premiums, and whether my plan was fully insured or self-funded. The settlement fund is estimated to be around $1.9 billion, after attorney fees and administration costs are deducted.

There will likely be hundreds of thousands of claims, perhaps millions, so the best bet is that I will receive enough money to go out for dinner but not enough to pay for the entire family.

If you didn't receive an email or postcard about the settlement and feel that you qualify, you can file a claim on the settlement's website, which I mentioned above.

Those who received an email or postcard have a unique ID with which to file their claim, but the website offers a way to file if you don't have a unique ID. You can also mail your claim to:

Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement, c/o JND Legal Administration, PO Box 91390, Seattle, WA 98111.

But don't dawdle. The deadline for filing claims in Nov. 5.

HERE to HELP: Have a consumer question you'd like us to help you with? Leave a message with David Bruce at 870-1736, send an email to or send mail to 205 W. 12th St., Erie, PA 16534.

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