Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Non-investing personal finance issues including insurance, credit, real estate, taxes, employment and legal issues such as trusts and wills.
lessismore22
Posts: 340
Joined: Sun Jul 01, 2018 8:02 pm
Location: USA

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by lessismore22 »

We received the letter. We tossed the letter. Have had BCBS since 2013.
User avatar
5th_Dimension
Posts: 217
Joined: Mon Jul 11, 2016 1:05 am

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by 5th_Dimension »

I’ve paid 100% of my premiums to BCBS for the entire length of the settlement period, I filed a couple of days ago. Interested to see what comes of this.
Pick up a penny and soon you'll have many.
toasty
Posts: 13
Joined: Mon Jul 02, 2007 11:08 pm

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by toasty »

Are BCBS plans obtained through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace (healthcare.gov) eligible for the settlement? I had a Florida Blue plan purchased through healthcare.gov in 2017 and part of 2018. The group number was 99999. I have not received an email or postcard.

If eligible for the settlement, is the health plan treated as "purchased directly from BCBS" or "purchased through a group entity" for the purposes of filling out the claim form?
talzara
Posts: 5401
Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2009 6:40 pm

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by talzara »

toasty wrote: Tue May 11, 2021 10:10 pm Are BCBS plans obtained through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace (healthcare.gov) eligible for the settlement? I had a Florida Blue plan purchased through healthcare.gov in 2017 and part of 2018. The group number was 99999. I have not received an email or postcard.

If eligible for the settlement, is the health plan treated as "purchased directly from BCBS" or "purchased through a group entity" for the purposes of filling out the claim form?
You are eligible for the settlement. HealthCare.gov is a clearinghouse exchange, so you purchased your policy directly from the insurance company.

It is unclear what type of policy is sold on an active purchaser exchange like the Massachusetts Health Connector. You're eligible for the settlement either way, but it might be better to wait for the postcard. The claim ID is already linked to your premium records in the insurance company's computer systems.
User avatar
FGal
Posts: 84
Joined: Thu Apr 05, 2018 4:57 pm

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by FGal »

I've had it through an employer and bought it for a year or two when on the ACA. I got my postcard this week, and went ahead and registered online.

I generally do go ahead as long as it's only a few minutes of my time. I've received some surprise checks over the years so it's worth the 5 minutes, since it's money I never expected to get in any case.
FIREd as of March 2015!
User avatar
bhwabeck3533
Posts: 526
Joined: Thu Sep 21, 2017 6:25 am
Location: Baldwin County, AL

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by bhwabeck3533 »

FGal wrote: Tue Jun 15, 2021 8:38 pm
I generally do go ahead as long as it's only a few minutes of my time. I've received some surprise checks over the years so it's worth the 5 minutes, since it's money I never expected to get in any case.
More than a handful of us have "put our hat in the ring" with the hope of getting a small, unanticipated windfall. I submitted my request on-line about six weeks ago. Anyone have a guess as to when disbursement to BCBS customers who file for monies will take place?
tibbitts
Posts: 26824
Joined: Tue Feb 27, 2007 5:50 pm

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by tibbitts »

talzara wrote: Sun May 09, 2021 4:04 pm
tibbitts wrote: Sat May 08, 2021 9:40 pm I had a BCBS policy for my small business, through the local chamber of commerce. Two of us were LLC members and for part of the time both of us had BCBS coverage. Later in the period only one of us was covered. The business no longer exists - so no checking account, etc. The notice postcard was addressed to me personally, no reference to the business. What's the correct way to handle this?
It is better to file more claims rather than fewer claims. If your LLC does not file, the chamber of commerce might get your LLC's share of the settlement.
  1. Your chamber of commerce can fill out Section A of the claim form as a purchasing entity.
  2. Your LLC can fill out Section A as a business.
  3. The LLC's employees can fill out Section C.
Since the LLC has been dissolved, state law will determine what you should do with the check. In many cases, the LLC members may be able to endorse the check over to themselves.
I appreciate that very detailed explanation. But it sounds complicated enough in my example that I'll pass and leave the money for someone else. Maybe for an individual policy it would be worth it. I did receive a good amount ($600-ish if I recall) from a class action settlement once, although in the form of a discount on a newer version of the product that I did take advantage of.
talzara
Posts: 5401
Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2009 6:40 pm

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by talzara »

bhwabeck3533 wrote: Wed Jun 16, 2021 6:45 am More than a handful of us have "put our hat in the ring" with the hope of getting a small, unanticipated windfall. I submitted my request on-line about six weeks ago. Anyone have a guess as to when disbursement to BCBS customers who file for monies will take place?
If there are no disputes, then 2022 is the earliest that the settlement could be paid.

If there are disputes, it could take several years.
seawind30
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Jul 27, 2021 5:45 pm

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by seawind30 »

If I partake in this settlement, can this insurance company deny me a policy in the future or penalize me in some way on my current policy that would affect my health coverage through them? Thank you for the insights.
User avatar
anon_investor
Posts: 15643
Joined: Mon Jun 03, 2019 1:43 pm

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by anon_investor »

talzara wrote: Wed Jun 16, 2021 1:00 pm
bhwabeck3533 wrote: Wed Jun 16, 2021 6:45 am More than a handful of us have "put our hat in the ring" with the hope of getting a small, unanticipated windfall. I submitted my request on-line about six weeks ago. Anyone have a guess as to when disbursement to BCBS customers who file for monies will take place?
If there are no disputes, then 2022 is the earliest that the settlement could be paid.

If there are disputes, it could take several years.
Did anyone ever get anything for the Equifax one?

I got maybe $1 for a Bic pen one and $5 for a Redbull one, various amounts for others, the highest was $25 for a Visa one over foreign transaction fees.
tj
Posts: 11355
Joined: Wed Dec 23, 2009 11:10 pm

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by tj »

seawind30 wrote: Tue Jul 27, 2021 5:47 pm If I partake in this settlement, can this insurance company deny me a policy in the future or penalize me in some way on my current policy that would affect my health coverage through them? Thank you for the insights.
I don't see how they could.
seawind30
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Jul 27, 2021 5:45 pm

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by seawind30 »

tj wrote: Tue Jul 27, 2021 6:49 pm
seawind30 wrote: Tue Jul 27, 2021 5:47 pm If I partake in this settlement, can this insurance company deny me a policy in the future or penalize me in some way on my current policy that would affect my health coverage through them? Thank you for the insights.
I don't see how they could.
Thanks, hope they cant/dont
User avatar
Cloud
Posts: 662
Joined: Wed Sep 12, 2007 12:43 pm

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by Cloud »

anon_investor wrote: Tue Jul 27, 2021 6:07 pm
talzara wrote: Wed Jun 16, 2021 1:00 pm
bhwabeck3533 wrote: Wed Jun 16, 2021 6:45 am More than a handful of us have "put our hat in the ring" with the hope of getting a small, unanticipated windfall. I submitted my request on-line about six weeks ago. Anyone have a guess as to when disbursement to BCBS customers who file for monies will take place?
If there are no disputes, then 2022 is the earliest that the settlement could be paid.

If there are disputes, it could take several years.
Did anyone ever get anything for the Equifax one?

I got maybe $1 for a Bic pen one and $5 for a Redbull one, various amounts for others, the highest was $25 for a Visa one over foreign transaction fees.
Still haven't seen a dime from the Equifax one.
User avatar
anon_investor
Posts: 15643
Joined: Mon Jun 03, 2019 1:43 pm

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by anon_investor »

Cloud wrote: Thu Aug 12, 2021 9:07 am
anon_investor wrote: Tue Jul 27, 2021 6:07 pm
talzara wrote: Wed Jun 16, 2021 1:00 pm
bhwabeck3533 wrote: Wed Jun 16, 2021 6:45 am More than a handful of us have "put our hat in the ring" with the hope of getting a small, unanticipated windfall. I submitted my request on-line about six weeks ago. Anyone have a guess as to when disbursement to BCBS customers who file for monies will take place?
If there are no disputes, then 2022 is the earliest that the settlement could be paid.

If there are disputes, it could take several years.
Did anyone ever get anything for the Equifax one?

I got maybe $1 for a Bic pen one and $5 for a Redbull one, various amounts for others, the highest was $25 for a Visa one over foreign transaction fees.
Still haven't seen a dime from the Equifax one.
I recently got $2.15 from the Google+ class action... still waiting for iPhone 6, Equifax...
User avatar
Stinky
Posts: 16163
Joined: Mon Jun 12, 2017 11:38 am
Location: Sweet Home Alabama

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by Stinky »

anon_investor wrote: Thu Aug 12, 2021 9:09 am I recently got $2.15 from the Google+ class action... still waiting for iPhone 6, Equifax...
I also got my $2.15 class action settlement.

I blew it all on ice cream cones for DW and me at McDonald’s. :moneybag
Retired life insurance company financial executive who sincerely believes that ”It’s a GREAT day to be alive!”
tj
Posts: 11355
Joined: Wed Dec 23, 2009 11:10 pm

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by tj »

Stinky wrote: Thu Aug 12, 2021 9:48 am
anon_investor wrote: Thu Aug 12, 2021 9:09 am I recently got $2.15 from the Google+ class action... still waiting for iPhone 6, Equifax...
I also got my $2.15 class action settlement.

I blew it all on ice cream cones for DW and me at McDonald’s. :moneybag
I got it too! Don't even remember signing up for it.
User avatar
anon_investor
Posts: 15643
Joined: Mon Jun 03, 2019 1:43 pm

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by anon_investor »

tj wrote: Thu Aug 12, 2021 9:54 am
Stinky wrote: Thu Aug 12, 2021 9:48 am
anon_investor wrote: Thu Aug 12, 2021 9:09 am I recently got $2.15 from the Google+ class action... still waiting for iPhone 6, Equifax...
I also got my $2.15 class action settlement.

I blew it all on ice cream cones for DW and me at McDonald’s. :moneybag
I got it too! Don't even remember signing up for it.
I totally forgot too, but I saw and email from them as well as from paypal saying I had received funds.
rksQEL
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Aug 29, 2024 5:40 am

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by rksQEL »

I’ve paid 34% of premium ( $10-$15k )approx, 10 years
How much of that will I recover?
Tried the formula given but getting different amounts! lol
Never was good at %
I figured since 6mil ppl filed and settlement is finalized, maybe someone could me an approximate amount I should expect to receive??
My estimates $300-$10k lol I know, that’s why I’d like to ask for your assistance.
Thank you 💋
japh
Posts: 19
Joined: Fri Jul 15, 2022 6:52 pm

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by japh »

Has anyone signed up for the electronic debit card?
Has anyone received the electronic debit card?
Can the electronic debit card be deposited into a bank checking account?
Just Another Perl Hacker
snic
Posts: 1312
Joined: Wed Jun 28, 2023 11:37 am

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by snic »

japh wrote: Sun Feb 02, 2025 11:16 am Has anyone signed up for the electronic debit card?
Has anyone received the electronic debit card?
Can the electronic debit card be deposited into a bank checking account?
Are they finally paying out the claims?

You might have to use an ATM to withdraw cash from the debit card, then deposit it.

FYI to those who remember filing a claim 4 years ago: Here is the settlement website: https://www.bcbssettlement.com/

You can enter your claim number (search your old emails for "blue cross settlement", assuming you submitted the claim online) here to find the status: https://secure.bcbssettlement.com/claimstatus

My claims say "in review".
"Financial ignorance is expensive."
User avatar
Stinky
Posts: 16163
Joined: Mon Jun 12, 2017 11:38 am
Location: Sweet Home Alabama

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by Stinky »

snic wrote: Sun Feb 02, 2025 11:30 am
japh wrote: Sun Feb 02, 2025 11:16 am Has anyone signed up for the electronic debit card?
Has anyone received the electronic debit card?
Can the electronic debit card be deposited into a bank checking account?
Are they finally paying out the claims?

You might have to use an ATM to withdraw cash from the debit card, then deposit it.

FYI to those who remember filing a claim 4 years ago: Here is the settlement website: https://www.bcbssettlement.com/

You can enter your claim number (search your old emails for "blue cross settlement", assuming you submitted the claim online) here to find the status: https://secure.bcbssettlement.com/claimstatus

My claims say "in review".
Same here. Claims are “in review”.

We submitted in May 2021.
Retired life insurance company financial executive who sincerely believes that ”It’s a GREAT day to be alive!”
mandymoo
Posts: 14
Joined: Tue Nov 07, 2023 1:17 pm

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by mandymoo »

I received notice on Friday my claim had been approved with a link to the website to claim my electronic debit card. I did that but no idea how much it will be. I hope it is at least 5 dollars as Amazon no longer allows buying gift cards for less than 5 dollars. 😊
Minty
Posts: 812
Joined: Sun Mar 24, 2013 3:19 pm
Location: NorCal

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by Minty »

mandymoo wrote: Sun Feb 02, 2025 12:24 pm I received notice on Friday my claim had been approved with a link to the website to claim my electronic debit card. I did that but no idea how much it will be. I hope it is at least 5 dollars as Amazon no longer allows buying gift cards for less than 5 dollars. 😊
I got the same notice. I think I read that they are not paying claims less than $5.
Core Four w/ nominal bonds & TIPS. Refi Rampage: Purchase: 3.875% 30 -> R1 3% 20 -> R2 2.375% 15 -> R3 1.99% 15 -> R4 1.875% 15
User avatar
Eagle33
Posts: 2537
Joined: Wed Aug 30, 2017 3:20 pm

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by Eagle33 »

Question for those all that have received an email to choose payment format - Did your claim application use the default claim? Or did any of you that received the email send in details of actual payments % that were higher than the default claim?
tj
Posts: 11355
Joined: Wed Dec 23, 2009 11:10 pm

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by tj »

Eagle33 wrote: Sun Feb 02, 2025 10:37 pm Question for those all that have received an email to choose payment format - Did your claim application use the default claim? Or did any of you that received the email send in details of actual payments % that were higher than the default claim?
I'd like to know if anyone received the email for using the default claim.

I have no idea what I submitted. It was many years ago. I assume it was default, but I don't know.
mandymoo
Posts: 14
Joined: Tue Nov 07, 2023 1:17 pm

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by mandymoo »

When I logged in to claim my debit card (only needed the claim number and passcode from the email), my yearly payment amounts were listed under my claim number. I have had BCBS for years through work so it appears they have access to my premiums paid over the years. I don't recall what the default claim would have been from back then.
User avatar
Stinky
Posts: 16163
Joined: Mon Jun 12, 2017 11:38 am
Location: Sweet Home Alabama

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by Stinky »

mandymoo wrote: Mon Feb 03, 2025 8:43 pm When I logged in to claim my debit card (only needed the claim number and passcode from the email), my yearly payment amounts were listed under my claim number. I have had BCBS for years through work so it appears they have access to my premiums paid over the years. I don't recall what the default claim would have been from back then.
You said upthread that you hoped you would get more than $5.00.

Can you share with us the (rough) amount you received? I’m guessing it was more than $5. :D
Retired life insurance company financial executive who sincerely believes that ”It’s a GREAT day to be alive!”
surfinagin
Posts: 573
Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2011 8:19 pm

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by surfinagin »

mandymoo wrote: Mon Feb 03, 2025 8:43 pm When I logged in to claim my debit card (only needed the claim number and passcode from the email), my yearly payment amounts were listed under my claim number. I have had BCBS for years through work so it appears they have access to my premiums paid over the years. I don't recall what the default claim would have been from back then.
Same, and confused by my displayed payment amounts.
In 2018-2020 timeline while covered as a retiree, I paid $3,753 in premiums to my employer for BCBS coverage.
The payment amounts in the table show zeros for my premium amounts.
The ASO (Administrative Services Only, by employer) amounts displayed for those years range from $88 to $133.

IDK if this is is correct or should be disputed-
Think I'd need to request premium documentation from my former employer, and assuming may not be worth my time.
Anyone have perspective on this? THX
User avatar
Feldman
Posts: 409
Joined: Sun May 19, 2024 12:46 pm
Location: . . . From Across The Hall!

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by Feldman »

My ASO numbers also seemed low, but then again I don't have full clarity on how those were calculated or whether they are meant to be annual sums. In this instance, I don't have the patience to figure it all out and dispute and upload all the supporting documentation for what would still likely amount to a trivial payout. I wouldn't necessarily feel comfortable about uploading detailed financial records to a settlement site which might then be a prime target for a data breach. I can't find a saved record of what I submitted back in 2021, but I am sure it was the default option. I was moderately satisfied that the site listed some dollar amount in the ASO column for each year covered by the settlement, and in the end I just accepted the values and opted for a digital debit card which I hope to receive in excess of $5.00. I have not yet received that, but perhaps in a month or so. Happy to post any eventual amount received here.
PatrickA5
Posts: 1054
Joined: Mon Jul 28, 2014 1:55 pm

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by PatrickA5 »

Does anybody know how an electronic debit card works? I signed up for one, but not sure what the process is once I get it. I assume I'll just get an email with a debit card number. How would I cash it (or use it)?
tj
Posts: 11355
Joined: Wed Dec 23, 2009 11:10 pm

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by tj »

PatrickA5 wrote: Tue Feb 04, 2025 12:34 pm Does anybody know how an electronic debit card works? I signed up for one, but not sure what the process is once I get it. I assume I'll just get an email with a debit card number. How would I cash it (or use it)?
Input the card number into any website? Buy a gift card from a retailer you frequent like amazon, walmart, etc?
PatrickA5
Posts: 1054
Joined: Mon Jul 28, 2014 1:55 pm

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by PatrickA5 »

tj wrote: Tue Feb 04, 2025 12:41 pm
PatrickA5 wrote: Tue Feb 04, 2025 12:34 pm Does anybody know how an electronic debit card works? I signed up for one, but not sure what the process is once I get it. I assume I'll just get an email with a debit card number. How would I cash it (or use it)?
Input the card number into any website? Buy a gift card from a retailer you frequent like amazon, walmart, etc?
That's a good idea. I'll just buy a Amazon gift card in the exact amount and load it to my account. I assume I probably won't get the full $2.67 Billion since several here also sent in a claim.
makingmistakes
Posts: 455
Joined: Sun Jan 19, 2020 6:59 am

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by makingmistakes »

PatrickA5 wrote: Tue Feb 04, 2025 1:53 pm
tj wrote: Tue Feb 04, 2025 12:41 pm

Input the card number into any website? Buy a gift card from a retailer you frequent like amazon, walmart, etc?
…. I assume I probably won't get the full $2.67 Billion since several here also sent in a claim.
😂. Made me chuckle. Thanks!
mandymoo
Posts: 14
Joined: Tue Nov 07, 2023 1:17 pm

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by mandymoo »

Stinky wrote: Mon Feb 03, 2025 9:04 pm
mandymoo wrote: Mon Feb 03, 2025 8:43 pm When I logged in to claim my debit card (only needed the claim number and passcode from the email), my yearly payment amounts were listed under my claim number. I have had BCBS for years through work so it appears they have access to my premiums paid over the years. I don't recall what the default claim would have been from back then.
You said upthread that you hoped you would get more than $5.00.

Can you share with us the (rough) amount you received? I’m guessing it was more than $5. :D
I haven't received anything yet, and it is not noted on the website what the amount will be. Like everyone else, I just have to wait for the debit card to be emailed. I will post the amount when that happens.
talzara
Posts: 5401
Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2009 6:40 pm

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by talzara »

surfinagin wrote: Tue Feb 04, 2025 6:43 am Same, and confused by my displayed payment amounts.
In 2018-2020 timeline while covered as a retiree, I paid $3,753 in premiums to my employer for BCBS coverage.
The payment amounts in the table show zeros for my premium amounts.
The ASO (Administrative Services Only, by employer) amounts displayed for those years range from $88 to $133.

IDK if this is is correct or should be disputed-
Think I'd need to request premium documentation from my former employer, and assuming may not be worth my time.
Anyone have perspective on this? THX
The amount you pay to your employer is not considered in the settlement, only the amount paid by the employer to a Blue Cross licensee. The default allocation for self-funded plans is 18% employee, 82% employer.

Five years ago, self-funded plans cost about $30-40 a month, or $360 to $480 per year.
surfinagin
Posts: 573
Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2011 8:19 pm

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by surfinagin »

talzara wrote: Tue Feb 04, 2025 8:22 pm
surfinagin wrote: Tue Feb 04, 2025 6:43 am Same, and confused by my displayed payment amounts.
In 2018-2020 timeline while covered as a retiree, I paid $3,753 in premiums to my employer for BCBS coverage.
The payment amounts in the table show zeros for my premium amounts.
The ASO (Administrative Services Only, by employer) amounts displayed for those years range from $88 to $133.

IDK if this is is correct or should be disputed-
Think I'd need to request premium documentation from my former employer, and assuming may not be worth my time.
Anyone have perspective on this? THX
The amount you pay to your employer is not considered in the settlement, only the amount paid by the employer to a Blue Cross licensee. The default allocation for self-funded plans is 18% employee, 82% employer.

Five years ago, self-funded plans cost about $30-40 a month, or $360 to $480 per year.
THX Talzara!
snic
Posts: 1312
Joined: Wed Jun 28, 2023 11:37 am

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by snic »

PatrickA5 wrote: Tue Feb 04, 2025 1:53 pm
tj wrote: Tue Feb 04, 2025 12:41 pm

Input the card number into any website? Buy a gift card from a retailer you frequent like amazon, walmart, etc?
That's a good idea. I'll just buy a Amazon gift card in the exact amount and load it to my account. I assume I probably won't get the full $2.67 Billion since several here also sent in a claim.
Buying Amazon credit with gift cards is a pain. The reason is that Amazon does a $1 "test" transaction before then attempting to charge the entire amount. Well, that $1 remains pending for a few days and it is subtracted from the available gift card balance. So if you have, say, a $2.67 Billion gift card and try to buy $2,670,000,000.00 in Amazon credit, the transaction would fail because you only have $2,669,999,999.00 of gift card credit available after the $1 test transaction. You'd have to try again with the lower amount and come back a few days later to try to get the last dollar.

Most people would probably just throw away the card rather than extract the last dollar - which is yet another way that gift card issuers screw their customers, and why gift cards are a terrible way to give someone money.
"Financial ignorance is expensive."
User avatar
Feldman
Posts: 409
Joined: Sun May 19, 2024 12:46 pm
Location: . . . From Across The Hall!

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by Feldman »

snic wrote: Wed Feb 05, 2025 7:02 am
PatrickA5 wrote: Tue Feb 04, 2025 1:53 pm

That's a good idea. I'll just buy a Amazon gift card in the exact amount and load it to my account. I assume I probably won't get the full $2.67 Billion since several here also sent in a claim.
Buying Amazon credit with gift cards is a pain. The reason is that Amazon does a $1 "test" transaction before then attempting to charge the entire amount. Well, that $1 remains pending for a few days and it is subtracted from the available gift card balance. So if you have, say, a $2.67 Billion gift card and try to buy $2,670,000,000.00 in Amazon credit, the transaction would fail because you only have $2,669,999,999.00 of gift card credit available after the $1 test transaction. You'd have to try again with the lower amount and come back a few days later to try to get the last dollar.

Most people would probably just throw away the card rather than extract the last dollar - which is yet another way that gift card issuers screw their customers, and why gift cards are a terrible way to give someone money.
Not my experience with a recent similar digital debit card from the Equifax settlement. In fact, across the family we had 3 cards issued. All were drained completely to an Amazon gift card balance in a single transaction (per card) without issue.
snic
Posts: 1312
Joined: Wed Jun 28, 2023 11:37 am

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by snic »

Feldman wrote: Wed Feb 05, 2025 7:08 am
snic wrote: Wed Feb 05, 2025 7:02 am

Buying Amazon credit with gift cards is a pain. The reason is that Amazon does a $1 "test" transaction before then attempting to charge the entire amount. Well, that $1 remains pending for a few days and it is subtracted from the available gift card balance. So if you have, say, a $2.67 Billion gift card and try to buy $2,670,000,000.00 in Amazon credit, the transaction would fail because you only have $2,669,999,999.00 of gift card credit available after the $1 test transaction. You'd have to try again with the lower amount and come back a few days later to try to get the last dollar.

Most people would probably just throw away the card rather than extract the last dollar - which is yet another way that gift card issuers screw their customers, and why gift cards are a terrible way to give someone money.
Not my experience with a recent similar digital debit card from the Equifax settlement. In fact, across the family we had 3 cards issued. All were drained completely to an Amazon gift card balance in a single transaction (per card) without issue.
Huh, OK. Maybe it depends on the card issuer. Or perhaps it applies to item purchases rather than Amazon credit purchases. If I remember right, I had this problem with Vanilla gift cards someone gave my kid, who preferred cash. So I bought them from her thinking I could just use the gift cards for Amazon.
"Financial ignorance is expensive."
tj
Posts: 11355
Joined: Wed Dec 23, 2009 11:10 pm

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by tj »

snic wrote: Wed Feb 05, 2025 7:02 am
PatrickA5 wrote: Tue Feb 04, 2025 1:53 pm

That's a good idea. I'll just buy a Amazon gift card in the exact amount and load it to my account. I assume I probably won't get the full $2.67 Billion since several here also sent in a claim.
Buying Amazon credit with gift cards is a pain. The reason is that Amazon does a $1 "test" transaction before then attempting to charge the entire amount. Well, that $1 remains pending for a few days and it is subtracted from the available gift card balance. So if you have, say, a $2.67 Billion gift card and try to buy $2,670,000,000.00 in Amazon credit, the transaction would fail because you only have $2,669,999,999.00 of gift card credit available after the $1 test transaction. You'd have to try again with the lower amount and come back a few days later to try to get the last dollar.

Most people would probably just throw away the card rather than extract the last dollar - which is yet another way that gift card issuers screw their customers, and why gift cards are a terrible way to give someone money.
I have never had that issue. Been doing it for years
surfinagin
Posts: 573
Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2011 8:19 pm

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by surfinagin »

Thanks for the posts regarding Amazon GC's -been wondering what to do with a $14.81 settlement debit card.
Just loaded into my Amazon gift card balance -no problems.
Nice!
snic
Posts: 1312
Joined: Wed Jun 28, 2023 11:37 am

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by snic »

I got an email from them saying they determined my "total premiums paid". I clicked the link and it lists only 1 year, and the amount shown is <$200. But I am certain I was paying the employee share of Blue Cross premiums for almost every year of the settlement date range (2008-2020), except one or two at the beginning. And the premiums I paid were certainly more than $200, which would be roughly the amount I might have paid every pay period. So $200 is two orders of magnitude smaller than the actual amount of premiums I paid.

Not sure what to do here. I probably have W2s going back to then showing amount of health insurance premiums paid, although not the name of the insurance company. I probably also have at least one EOB from each year, although some might be missing.

The question is: is it worth it? For those who got the gift card, what was the amount and how much in premiums did they determine you paid? If you got $20 and paid $50k in premiums, it's not worth it for me to dig up documentation. If you got $20 and paid $200 in premiums, it is.
"Financial ignorance is expensive."
mandymoo
Posts: 14
Joined: Tue Nov 07, 2023 1:17 pm

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by mandymoo »

I haven't received the gift card yet, only applied for it. There was no indication of how much it would be. Here is a screenshot of my payment history they listed on the claim site, which decreased every year. The amounts are no way near what I actually payed through my employment.

Year Premium Amount ASO Amount
2008 $553.88 $0.00
2009 $510.74 $0.00
2010 $452.89 $0.00
2011 $455.75 $0.00
2012 $438.56 $0.00
2013 $402.95 $0.00
2014 $263.76 $0.00
2015 $325.16 $0.00
2016 $213.11 $0.00
2017 $94.26 $0.00
2018 $93.87 $0.00
2019 $94.06 $0.00
2020 $81.99 $0.00
bynomial
Posts: 39
Joined: Thu Nov 28, 2024 8:10 am

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by bynomial »

snic wrote: Sun Feb 02, 2025 11:30 am You can enter your claim number (search your old emails for "blue cross settlement", assuming you submitted the claim online) here to find the status: https://secure.bcbssettlement.com/claimstatus

My claims say "in review".

mine showed "in review' also. But then I went to https://secure.bcbssettlement.com/determination , plugged in my ID & PIN and got the amount and the debit card checkbox. Mine is about ~$250 based on the numbers shown
Experience is the worst teacher; it gives the test before presenting the lesson.
tj
Posts: 11355
Joined: Wed Dec 23, 2009 11:10 pm

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by tj »

bynomial wrote: Fri Feb 07, 2025 7:52 am
snic wrote: Sun Feb 02, 2025 11:30 am You can enter your claim number (search your old emails for "blue cross settlement", assuming you submitted the claim online) here to find the status: https://secure.bcbssettlement.com/claimstatus

My claims say "in review".

mine showed "in review' also. But then I went to https://secure.bcbssettlement.com/determination , plugged in my ID & PIN and got the amount and the debit card checkbox. Mine is about ~$250 based on the numbers shown
How did you get an ID and a pin?
bynomial
Posts: 39
Joined: Thu Nov 28, 2024 8:10 am

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by bynomial »

tj wrote: Fri Feb 07, 2025 9:37 am How did you get an ID and a pin?
It came via email. At first I thought it was a phishing email, with embedded links and all.
Experience is the worst teacher; it gives the test before presenting the lesson.
MGBMartin
Posts: 1395
Joined: Thu Nov 04, 2021 11:09 am

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by MGBMartin »

This morning I got the email indicating my claim was approved and I could request the Debit Card for the settlement amount.

I logged into the page and it shows 4 entries for premiums paid etc, 2014-2017. I’m pretty sure I had BCBS with the same employer before 2014 and retired January 2016. Maybe the claim only covers certain years but can’t figure how they came up with values for 2016 and 2017. It says I can dispute any errors but I’d have to prove the premiums paid, not sure if I could even do that.

I just went ahead and agreed to the debit card option.
I’m not expecting a lot so will hold off on looking at cruises for now.

For the Amazon issue of using odd debit card balances…
In the last few months I’ve used small amounts from debit cards to purchase Amazon gift cards for myself; the entire balance was used without any problems each time.
Bad spellers of the world untie | Autocorrect is my worst enema
talzara
Posts: 5401
Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2009 6:40 pm

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by talzara »

snic wrote: Thu Feb 06, 2025 1:14 pm I got an email from them saying they determined my "total premiums paid". I clicked the link and it lists only 1 year, and the amount shown is <$200. But I am certain I was paying the employee share of Blue Cross premiums for almost every year of the settlement date range (2008-2020), except one or two at the beginning. And the premiums I paid were certainly more than $200, which would be roughly the amount I might have paid every pay period. So $200 is two orders of magnitude smaller than the actual amount of premiums I paid.
The settlement administrator received a data file from each Blue Cross licensee, and it also received percentages from employers who opted out of the default allocation. If either is incorrect, then your calculated premium will be incorrect.

The settlement assumes that the employee paid 15% of individual premiums and 34% of family premiums for fully-insured plans. An employer that paid less than 85% or 66% will get a larger settlement if they take the default allocation.

If you can prove that you paid more than 15% or 34% of the premium, they will take the money away from your employer and give it to you instead.
mandymoo wrote: Thu Feb 06, 2025 7:32 pm I haven't received the gift card yet, only applied for it. There was no indication of how much it would be. Here is a screenshot of my payment history they listed on the claim site, which decreased every year. The amounts are no way near what I actually payed through my employment.
If the premium decreased every year, your plan may have been a minimum premium plan. If the employer increased the attachment point, the premium would've decreased.
talzara
Posts: 5401
Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2009 6:40 pm

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by talzara »

bynomial wrote: Fri Feb 07, 2025 7:52 am mine showed "in review' also. But then I went to https://secure.bcbssettlement.com/determination , plugged in my ID & PIN and got the amount and the debit card checkbox. Mine is about ~$250 based on the numbers shown
MGBMartin wrote: Fri Feb 07, 2025 10:51 am I just went ahead and agreed to the debit card option.
I’m not expecting a lot so will hold off on looking at cruises for now.
The debit card is not the only option.

When you filed your claim in 2021, you already selected a payment method. As long as you don't agree to receive a debit card now, the method you selected in 2021 is how you will be paid.

For $250, many people would rather receive money instead of a prepaid card.
tj
Posts: 11355
Joined: Wed Dec 23, 2009 11:10 pm

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Post by tj »

talzara wrote: Fri Feb 07, 2025 10:43 pm
bynomial wrote: Fri Feb 07, 2025 7:52 am mine showed "in review' also. But then I went to https://secure.bcbssettlement.com/determination , plugged in my ID & PIN and got the amount and the debit card checkbox. Mine is about ~$250 based on the numbers shown
MGBMartin wrote: Fri Feb 07, 2025 10:51 am I just went ahead and agreed to the debit card option.
I’m not expecting a lot so will hold off on looking at cruises for now.
The debit card is not the only option.

When you filed your claim in 2021, you already selected a payment method. As long as you don't agree to receive a debit card now, the method you selected in 2021 is how you will be paid.

For $250, many people would rather receive money instead of a prepaid card.
If I requested a check and they send it to wherever I was living in 2021, i'll never receive it.
Post Reply