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. 

Under the settlement agreement, Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans have agreed to implement changes that will benefit physicians and other providers by increasing transparency, efficiency and accountability in claims processing, including the process of BlueCard claims. Economists have valued the injunctive relief at more than $17.3 billion. The webinar will discuss some of the most important requirements of the settlement agreement that will impact claims processing.

The webinar will also discuss how to submit a claim for your share of the damages. If you or your business provided health care services, equipment or supplies to Blues Plan enrollees, including Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California or out-of-state Blue Card patients, anytime from July 24, 2008, to October 4, 2024, you may be eligible to submit a claim for your share of the $2.8 billion provider settlement. The settlement is the largest antitrust settlement in the history of the U.S. health care sector.

The settlement claims period is now open and will run until July 29, 2025.

The California Medical Association (CMA) is hosting a webinar to help physicians learn how to submit a claim for your share of the settlement proceeds. 

The one-hour webinar will be held on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 12:15 p.m. The webinar, presented by attorneys from Whatley Kallas LLP, is free for CMA members and their staff and $99 for non-members. Click here to register.