Millions expected finally to receive money in Horizon settlement
By: Kyle Morel
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
..... Millions of Blue Cross Blue Shield subscribers are expected finally to receive money 2 1/2 years after the settlement of a $2.67 billion lawsuit, the health care company said.
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An announcement on the BCBS website noted that "claim determination notices are being emailed on a rolling basis." The site did not provide a date for when all notices would be sent.
..... The upcoming payment ends a classification antitrust lawsuit filed in 2013 against more than 30 Blue Cross Blue Shied insurance plans. The suit alleged officials of the plans illegally entered into an agreement not to compete with one another and to limit competition among themselves in selling health insurance.
..... "Settling Defendants deny all allegations of wrongdoing and assert that their conduct results in lower healthcare costs and greater access to care for their customers," the BCBS statement reads.
..... A settlement does not rule in favor of either side; instead, it allows the two groups to avoid risks and costs of further litigation. The agreement was originally approved in August 2022 and remained in place despite two subsequent appeals.
.... Six million people filed claims by the November 221 deadline. Eligible recipients include individuals and insured groups covered by plans between February 2008 and October 202, and self-funded accounts covered from September 2015 through October 2020.
..... The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is a national group of health insures covering territories throughout the country. Horizon Blue Cass and Blue Shield of New Jersey covers residents of the Garden State.
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For more information on the settlement, subscribers can visit bcbsettlement.com .