Blue Cross Blue Shield North Carolina Class Action Settlement

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina has reached a $1.9 million class action lawsuit settlement that will resolve allegations it overcharged certain North Carolina PPO subscribers between 2002 through 2008.

The Blue Cross Blue Shield settlement will resolve a class action lawsuit, entitled Hamm v. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, that alleges after PPO subscribers reached their benefit period maximum for certain services, BCBSNC charged the full provider charge by a BCBSNC in-network provider instead of the contracted – or “allowed amount” – that BCBSNC pays to its in-network providers. The class action lawsuit contends that under these subscribers’ contracts, they were entitled to pay the allowed amount rather than the full charged amount for services they received after they reached their benefit maximum period.

BCBSNC denies any wrongdoing, but has agreed to pay $1.9 million to settle the class action lawsuit to avoid ongoing litigation.

Class Members of the BCBSNC class action settlement include all persons (a) who were a member of a Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (“BCBSNC”) preferred provider organization (“PPO”) plan – Blue Advantage or Blue Options – any time from November 1, 2002 through December 31, 2008; and (b) the plan was not covered by the Employment Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”); and (c) during any benefit period, you reached your benefit period maximum or lifetime maximum under the terms of your PPO contract with BCBSNC; and (d) you were charged by an in-network provider more than the allowed amount for covered services or supplied after reaching your benefit period or lifetime maximum. 

Class Members of the BCBSNC class action settlement will receive a check for their share of the $1.9 million class action settlement if it is approved by the Court. If you wish to receive a payment, you do not need to do anything to remain a Class Member. However, if you wish to exclude yourself, you must submit an Exclusion Request by January 18, 2012.

More information on your rights in the Hamm v. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Class Action Settlement can be found at www.BCBSNCSettlement.com.