During a system upgrade from Friday, Dec. 5, through Sunday, Dec. 7, the AAFP website, on-demand courses and CME purchases will be unavailable.

  • BCBS settlement claims due July 29. Here’s how to file

    Physicians who treated patients covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) over a 16-year span ending in 2024 may be eligible for a payment from a $2.8 billion legal settlement. The deadline to submit a claim is July 29, 2025.

    What is this settlement about?

    The settlement stems from a class action lawsuit, In re: Blue Cross Blue Shield Antitrust Litigation, which alleged that BCBS entities violated antitrust laws by:

    • Illegally dividing the U.S. into exclusive “service areas”
    • Agreeing not to compete with each other in those areas
    • Fixing prices for provider services

    While BCBS denies any wrongdoing, both sides agreed to settle to avoid the cost and uncertainty of further litigation.

    Who is eligible?

    You may be part of the settlement class if you:

    • Are a health care provider (individual or organization),
    • Provided services, equipment, or supplies to patients insured by any BCBS plan,
    • Did so between July 24, 2008, and October 4, 2024.

    Excluded providers are listed in FAQ 5 on the official settlement website.

    How can I file a claim?

    There are two types of claims:

    1. Professional claim – For individual clinicians, medical groups, or organizations that provided care under one or more taxpayer IDs.
    2. Facilities claim – For hospitals, surgical centers, dialysis centers, and other facilities that charged facility fees.

    You can file your claim directly through the official settlement website.

    When will payments be made?

    Payments will be distributed to those who qualify after the court approves the settlement and all valid claims are processed. The timeline depends on the volume of claims and any disputes that arise.

    How much could I receive?

    Payouts to individual clinicians will be based on a point system that takes into account how much they billed BCBS during the settlement periods, the market impact of BCBS’ alleged actions in their region, and the total pool or qualified claims.

    This article by WCH Service Bureau, “The $2.8 Billion BCBS Antitrust Settlement: What Providers Need to Know,” has more information. 

    How can I get more information?

    There are upcoming webinars that provide further guidance for medical professionals on how to submit claims, scheduled for June 27, July 11, and July 25.

    — Brennan Cantrell, AAFP Senior Strategist, Market Transformation

    Posted on June 25, 2025



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