Top Class Actions  |  October 25, 2021

Category: Closed Class Actions

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This settlement is closed!

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UHC Behavioral Health
(Photo Credit: Ken Wolter/Shutterstock)

Consumers nationwide who were overcharged as a result of United Healthcare’s (UHC) Tiered Reimbursement Policy after receiving behavioral health services from an out-of-network professional may be eligible for compensation thanks to a recent $10 million class action lawsuit.

Settlement Class Members include individuals who were covered by an employee-sponsored United Healthcare group plan and received behavioral health services from an out-of-network psychologist or masters-level counselor or social worker between Nov. 22, 2013, and Aug. 11, 2021. These individuals were subject to United’s Tiered Reimbursement Policy.

Plaintiffs allege UHC’s Tiered Reimbursement Policy unfairly and improperly reduced the benefit amounts for certain behavioral health services that were out of network, according to the class action lawsuit. 

Services for psychologists were reportedly reduced by 25 percent, while masters-level counselors and social workers got reduced by 25 percent to 35 percent. The plaintiffs say, the company’s actions were a violation of the Employee Retirement Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Federal Mental Health Parity Law.

UHC, which serves people in all 50 U.S. states, according to the company website, denies all allegations made by the plaintiffs. 

The Court has not reviewed the facts surrounding this case, and they have not made a ruling in the situation. 

Instead, both parties have reached an agreement. All parties involved believe the proposed settlement agreement is in the best interest of everyone involved.

According to the proposed class action settlement agreement, the company will pay out over $10 million. 

Eligible Class Members will receive a pro rata share of the funds remaining after other fees are deducted from the settlement fund. 

The exact amount of this payment will vary, and it will only cover a portion of the alleged underpayment of benefits. 

Class Members who are eligible to receive less than $15 will not receive any payment.

On top of that, the company has agreed not to reinstate the Tiered Reimbursement Policy.

Eligible Class Members do not need to take action to receive their share of the settlement. 

Class Members who disagree with the Settlement Agreement but wish to remain in the Settlement Class have the right to object to the current agreement. Class Members who do not wish to remain in the Settlement Class but want to retain the right to sue the company must exclude themselves from this class action lawsuit.

The deadline to opt out or object to this class action settlement is Nov. 22, 2021.

A final fairness hearing is scheduled to take place on Dec. 16, 2021.

No claim form is required.

Who’s Eligible

Class Members include individuals who were covered by an employee-sponsored United Healthcare group plan and received behavioral health services from an out-of-network psychologist or masters-level counselor or social worker between Nov. 22, 2013, and Aug. 11, 2021. These individuals were subject to United’s Tiered Reimbursement Policy.

Potential Award

Varies

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

11/22/2021

Case Name

James v. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated et al., Case No. 21-cv4533, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
Walsh v. United Behavioral Health et al., Case No. 21-cv-4519, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York

Final Hearing

12/16/2021

Claims Administrator

United Tiered Reimbursement Settlement Administrator,
c/o Rust Consulting, Inc. – 7408, PO Box 44,
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0044
mail@unitedoutpatientsettlements.com
866-590-8527

Class Counsel

Andrew N. Goldfarb
D. Brian Hufford
Jason Cowart
ZUCKERMAN SPAEDER LLP

Defense Counsel

Christopher Flynn
Jennifer Romano
Michael W. Lieberman
CROWELL & MORING LLP

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51 thoughts onUHC Behavioral Health Services $10M Class Action Settlement

  1. Sara N says:

    Another claim that I missed out on. They have been mispaying out my claims for over 2 years. We qualify for them to pay 60% of my out of network mental health appointments and they aren’t paying a dime towards them. I’m having to fight for them to do anything, even though my paperwork from work shows they pay the 60%. How do I fight this????

  2. Renae Craine says:

    Add me please

  3. Deanna Weeks says:

    I received a notice in the mail joyner v. Behavioral health Network Settlement, I’m not sure how to go about this…

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Please note: Top Class Actions is not a settlement administrator or law firm. Top Class Actions is a legal news source that reports on class action lawsuits, class action settlements, drug injury lawsuits and product liability lawsuits. Top Class Actions does not process claims and we cannot advise you on the status of any class action settlement claim. You must contact the settlement administrator or your attorney for any updates regarding your claim status, claim form or questions about when payments are expected to be mailed out.