September 24, 2007

BCBS to pay out more than $131 million

BY Dr. Keith J. Kaplan

BCBS settling parties agree to pay out more than $131 million; Oct. 19 is key deadline

Physicians who provided covered services to any patient enrolled in or covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) plans at any time between May 22, 1999, and May 31, 2007, may be entitled to a payout as part of a class action lawsuit settlement agreement.

The group of BCBS settling parties has agreed to distribute $131,209,507 (with accrued interest since June 30) among eligible physicians who file a claim form by Oct. 19. If you think you may be eligible and have not yet received a notice in the mail, visit related link below to download the mailed notice, claim form and claim form instructions that were mailed to physicians on July 27. Be sure to submit a completed claim form by October 19. One form can be prepared for an entire practice. However, a list of every physician as well as the number of shares to which each physician is entitled should be attached.

If you have questions about the settlement you can contact the settlement administrator via the e-mail address listed at http//:www.hmosettlements.com or by telephone at (877) 893-2643. You may also obtain information regarding this and other settlements at on the AMA Web site – see related link below

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Two health insurers send combined $79 million to physicians This month, physicians who filed timely claim forms as part of the Health Net and Humana settlements of the class action multi-district litigation case received funds from the settlements. Health Net settlement funds totaling $39 million were disbursed on Aug. 6 among physicians who received between $59.30 and $593, depending on the number of shares of the settlement to which they were entitled.

Humana distributed about $40 million in settlement disbursement checks on August 10. Physicians received between $78.91 and $789.10 depending on the number of shares to which they were entitled.

Related links:

www.hmosettlements.com

www.ama-assn.org/go/settlements

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