The big boys can keep lawsuits going a long time and [View all]

never is that more clear than in the Blue Cross/Blue Shield class action suit that was filed in 2013. The action was about agreeing not to compete among plans and to limit competition. So after 7 years a settlement was reached and accepted by the judge in 2020. So people might think that was the end and the payout to class members would begin. Not at all. Some businesses who had health plans raised an objection that the settlement might affect their future benefit plans etc. and so they filed litigation to hold up the settlement. They kept losing but appealed etc. until their final loss.

So now in February 2026 class members have received and e-mail from the settlement administrators that payments will begin in May 2026. Thirteen years and maybe the class members will start to see a small return of a portion of the excessive premiums they paid. Maybe. Nobody is holding their breath and you can be sure that many don't have to because 13 years means many have already died. Their estate can claim of course but money doesn't buy lunch for you when you're dead. You could have used that money when you were alive but the wizards of the law can keep the lunch wagon bell from ringing for a very, very long time.