Anthem Blue Cross settles class action alleging unfair premium hikes

California health insurer Anthem Blue Cross has settled a class action lawsuit by agreeing to limit rate increases for 122,000 policyholders whose plans were closed to new customers.  These policyholders often could not change plans, because their medical histories were such that they could not obtain other insurance in other plans.  After the settlement, affected policyholders for the first time would also be able to switch plans without having their medical histories reviewed.

Consumer groups had accused the state’s largest for-profit health insurer of closing some insurance plans to new members and then forcing existing customers into a financial “death spiral” by dramatically raising rates without offering comparable options as required by state law.  Anthem policyholders and healthcare advocates said the practice often trapped older customers or those with preexisting health conditions in policies they could not afford but also could not leave.

Under the settlement, those policyholders who stick with their closed plans will see rate hikes no more than the average for all closed plans.

A judge must still give final approval to the settlement in August.

Steve Larson

An experienced trial lawyer who handles both hourly and contingent fee cases, Steve has expertise in class actions, environmental clean-up litigation, antitrust litigation, securities litigation, corporate disputes, intellectual property disputes, unfair competition claims, and disputes involving family wealth. Steve regularly represents individuals and businesses in federal and state court and has obtained class-wide recovery in multiple class actions. A veteran practitioner, Steve’s clients value his creative approach to resolving complex litigation matters.

Share: 

Legal Disclaimer

The information contained in this blog does not constitute legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. We make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to this blog.