Unified Life Insurance $8M Class Action Settlement

Consumers who had an active health insurance policy through Unified Life Insurance between 2014 and 2017 and made at least one claim may be eligible for compensation thanks to an $8 million class action settlement.

Settlement Class Members include customers who were considered Unified Life Insurance Co. short-term medical insurance policyholders between 2014 and 2017 and who submitted at least one health insurance claim in that time frame.

Plaintiffs in the Unified Life Insurance class action lawsuit allege Class Members were underpaid when they filed health insurance claims. Further, the plaintiffs allege, medical claims were paid out at levels below what was required by the insurance policies themselves through the utilization of Data iSight.

Data iSight is an online service that promises transparency about reimbursement for out-of-network medical bills for patients, providers, and payors, according to the company website.

Unified Life Insurance denies all the plaintiffs’ allegations in this class action lawsuit. 

Both parties analyzed and evaluated the merits and facts surrounding the class action lawsuit. On May 3, 2021, the lead plaintiff and Unified agreed to a mediation meeting with Magistrate Judge John Johnston. 

During the mediation, both parties considered the costs and risks associated with ongoing litigation. Both parties, under the recommendation of Judge Johnston, agreed to the $8 million class action settlement.

Per the settlement agreement, Class Members are eligible for compensation. 

The amount of compensation each Class Member will receive hinges on several factors, including each Class Member’s discount amount. The discount amount is the difference between the amount the Class Member’s health care provider charged them and the amount Unified life Insurance paid for the claim.

There are currently six tiers that help describe the estimated amount of compensation each Class Member could receive: 

• Tier 1 Class Members have zero discount amounts and will receive $5. 
• Tier 2 Class Members have discount amounts of less than $1,000 and are eligible to receive $45. Tier 3 Class Members have discount amounts of more than $1,000 but less than $10,000. These Members are eligible to receive $375.
• Tier 4 Class Members have discount amounts of less than $20,000 but more than $10,000. Each policyholder in Tier 4 will receive $1,000. 
• Tier 5 Class Members have discount amounts of $20,000 to $40,000 and will receive $2,000. 
• Tier 6 Class Members have discount amounts greater than $40,000 and are eligible to receive up to $6,000.

Each Class Member’s final compensation amount is subject to change after subtracting attorneys’ fees and costs, administrative expenses, and fees paid out to the class representative from the gross settlement fund.

Those who wish to object to the settlement must mail a letter of objections by Oct. 19, 2021.

A final hearing in the Unified Life Insurance settlement is scheduled to take place Nov. 18, 2021.

No claim form is required for participation in this settlement.

Who’s Eligible

Settlement Class Members include customers who were considered Unified Life Insurance Co. short-term medical insurance policyholders between 2014 and 2017 and who submitted at least one health insurance claim in that time frame.

Potential Award

Varies
There are currently six tiers that help describe the estimated amount of compensation each Class Member could receive: 

• Tier 1 Class Members have zero discount amounts and will receive $5. 
• Tier 2 Class Members have discount amounts of less than $1,000 and are eligible to receive $45. Tier 3 Class Members have discount amounts of more than $1,000 but less than $10,000. These Members are eligible to receive $375.
• Tier 4 Class Members have discount amounts of less than $20,000 but more than $10,000. Each policyholder in Tier 4 will receive $1,000. 
• Tier 5 Class Members have discount amounts of $20,000 to $40,000 and will receive $2,000. 
• Tier 6 Class Members have discount amounts greater than $40,000 and are eligible to receive up to $6,000.

Proof of Purchase

No proof of purchase necessary. 

Claim Form

No claim form required.

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Objection Deadline

10/19/2021

Case Name

Butler et. al. v. Unified Life Insurance Company, et al., Cause No. CV-17-50-SPW-TJC, in the U.S. District Court, District of Montana

Final Hearing

11/18/2021

Settlement Website

UnifiedClassAction.com

Claims Administrator

Butler v. Unified Case Administrator
c/o KCC Class Action Services, LLC
P.O. Box 43205
Providence, RI 02940-3205
844-799-1617

Class Counsel

John Morrison
Scott Peterson
MORRISON SHERWOOD WILSON DEOLA PLLP

Defense Counsel

Joshua B. Frank
BAKER BOTTS LLP

Robert L. Sterup
BROWN LAW FIRM PC