Yes, people have received BCBS settlement payments, and the program is still distributing them

The BCBS settlement refers to a class action settlement involving Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) companies that resulted from antitrust litigation. People who held BCBS health insurance during specific periods are may be able to access to receive payments. The settlement has been distributing money since 2016, and payments continue today — though the timeline and amount depend on which BCBS company covered you and when you held the policy.

The settlement covers multiple BCBS plans across different states and years. Some people received their payments years ago; others are still receiving them now. The reason for the staggered timeline is that the settlement was divided into phases, with different groups of claimants processed at different times. If you held a BCBS plan during the relevant period, you may still be may have access to to a payment even if you haven't received one yet.

Key Takeaways

  • BCBS settlement payments have been distributed since 2016 to people who held Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance during specific periods covered by the settlement.
  • The settlement covers multiple BCBS companies and states, so the amount and timing of your payment depends on which plan you held and when.
  • You do not need to do anything to receive a payment if you are part of the settlement class — payments are sent automatically to the address on file with your insurance company.
  • If you think you should have received a payment but haven't, you can contact the settlement administrator or your former BCBS plan to verify your claim status.
  • The settlement has multiple phases, so some people received payments years ago while others are still in the distribution process.

How the BCBS settlement was structured and who it covers

The BCBS settlement came from a class action lawsuit that alleged certain Blue Cross Blue Shield companies engaged in anticompetitive practices. The settlement was approved by the court and divided into separate settlement funds for different BCBS entities and time periods. Each fund covers people who held insurance with a specific BCBS company during a specific window of years.

The settlement is not a single payment to everyone. Instead, it consists of multiple separate settlements, each with its own claim period, may be able to access members, and payment amounts. For example, one settlement might cover people who held Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois insurance between 2003 and 2010, while another covers a different BCBS company or different years. This is why some people received payments years ago and others are still waiting — they are part of different settlement funds on different timelines.

To be part of the settlement, you had to hold a BCBS health insurance plan during the period specified in that particular settlement. You do not need to have been a member when the settlement was approved or when payments began — you only need to have been a member during the original period when the alleged conduct occurred.

How payments are sent and what to expect

If you are part of the settlement class, the settlement administrator sends your payment automatically. You do not need to submit a claim or take any action. The payment is mailed to the address that was on file with your BCBS insurance company at the time the settlement was approved. This is why some people received checks without expecting them — the settlement administrator had their address from their insurance records.

Payments typically arrive as a check in the mail. The amount varies depending on which settlement you are part of and how the settlement fund is divided among all may be able to access members. Some settlements have paid out amounts ranging from a few dollars to several hundred dollars per person, depending on the size of the fund and the number of may be able to access claimants. The settlement administrator's website or the court documents for your specific settlement will show the estimated payment amount.

If you moved after your insurance ended, you may not have received your check because it was mailed to an old address. In that case, you can contact the settlement administrator for your specific BCBS settlement to request a payment trace or reissue.

Finding out which BCBS settlement you are part of

Because there are multiple BCBS settlements covering different companies and time periods, you need to identify which one applies to you. Start by determining which BCBS company provided your insurance and during what years you held the policy. This information is on your old insurance cards, policy documents, or correspondence from your former insurance company.

Once you know the company and years, search online for "BCBS settlement" along with your state and the company name — for example, "Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan settlement". This will help you find the specific settlement that covers you. Each settlement has its own settlement website or court case information that lists the claim period, may be able to access members, and payment status.

You can also contact your former BCBS insurance company directly and ask them which settlement applies to your policy dates. They can tell you which settlement fund covers your membership period and direct you to the settlement administrator's website.

What to do if you haven't received a payment

If you believe you should have received a BCBS settlement payment but haven't, the first step is to confirm that you are actually part of the settlement class. Check the settlement documents or website for your specific BCBS company to see the claim period. If your insurance dates fall within that period, you should be may be able to access.

Contact the settlement administrator listed on the settlement website. Provide your name, date of birth, and the dates you held the insurance policy. The administrator can look up your claim status and tell you whether a payment has been issued, is pending, or was returned as undeliverable. If the payment was returned, they can reissue it to your current address.

If you cannot find the settlement website or administrator contact information, you can search the court case number online or contact the BCBS company that provided your insurance and ask for the settlement administrator's contact details. Court records for class action settlements are public, so this information is available.

Uncashed checks and expired claims

Some settlement checks have expiration dates. If you received a check but did not cash it, check the back of the check for an expiration date. If the check has expired, contact the settlement administrator when ready to request a replacement. Most settlement administrators will reissue expired checks if you contact them within a reasonable timeframe, though the exact policy varies by settlement.

Settlement funds themselves do not expire — the money remains available for distribution. However, individual checks may have a validity period, typically one to three years from the date issued. If your check expired, the settlement administrator can issue a new one. Keep in mind that if a check is never cashed and never reissued, the unclaimed funds may eventually be distributed to cy pres recipients (charities related to the settlement's subject matter) or returned to the defendant, depending on the settlement terms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay taxes on a BCBS settlement payment?

Settlement payments from antitrust cases are generally not taxable income, but tax treatment can vary. The settlement administrator or your tax professional can advise you based on the specific settlement terms. Some settlements include information about tax treatment in the settlement documents or on the check itself.

Can I claim a BCBS settlement payment if I was covered under someone else's policy?

If you were a dependent on someone else's BCBS policy during the claim period, you may be may be able to access as a dependent. Contact the settlement administrator with the primary policyholder's information and your relationship to them. The administrator can determine whether you are part of the may be able to access class.

What if I lost my check or it was damaged?

Contact the settlement administrator and explain what happened. They can issue a replacement check or, in some cases, process a payment through another method. Have your policy information ready when you call.

How long does it take to get a replacement payment?

Replacement payments typically take two to four weeks to arrive after you contact the settlement administrator, depending on their processing time and whether they need to verify your information first.

Is there a important date to claim a BCBS settlement payment?

The claim period for each BCBS settlement has already passed — these are not active claims you can file. However, if you are part of the may be able to access class, you can still contact the settlement administrator to receive your payment even if you missed the original distribution window.