If you are or have been a dentist or dental Provider Group or Organization or other entity that provided (or arranged for the provision of) any services to any individual enrolled in or covered by a Dental Plan issued or administered by Anthem Health Plans, Inc., d/b/a Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Connecticut (“Anthem” or “Defendant”) pursuant to any Provider Contracts in force at any time during the period April 15, 1996 through April 14, 2002, your rights may be affected by a proposed class action settlement with Anthem Health Plans.
A class action settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit against Anthem Health Plans, Inc., d/b/a Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Connecticut pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida (styled Martin J. Rutt, D.D.S. and Michael Egan, D.D.S., individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated v. Anthem Health Plans, Inc. d/b/a Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Connecticut, Class Action Case No. 1:02-CV-22065-FAM), alleging, among other things, that Anthem reimbursed dentists participating in Anthem’s provider network in amounts less than required under their Provider Contracts for claims for services provided during the period April 15, 1996 through April 14, 2002, according to the Anthem Health Plans d/b/a Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Connecticut Dentist & Dental Plan class action settlement notice.
The Parties have reportedly agreed that the proposed settlement will be on behalf of the following Settlement Class, which has been preliminarily certified for settlement proposes:
All Participating Providers who provided any services to any individual enrolled in or covered by a Dental and/or Dental Plans issued or administered by Anthem Health Plans, Inc. pursuant to any Provider Contracts in force at any time during the period April 15, 1996 through April 14, 2002 (the “Class Period”).
“Participating Provider” means any dentist, or Provider Group (that is, two or more dentists, and those claiming by or through them, who practice under a single taxpayer identification number), Provider Organization (that is, association, partnership, corporation, or other form of organization that arranges for dental care to be provided to individuals enrolled in or covered by a Dental Plan), or other entity that entered into or provided services pursuant to a Provider Contract. “Provider Contract” means every Participating Dentist Agreement between Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Connecticut, Inc. or Anthem Health Plans, Inc., and any Participating Provider that was in force at any time between April 15, 1996 and April 14, 2002, including the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Connecticut, Inc. Agreements attached to the Complaint and any contracts similar to them.
As a part of the Settlement, Anthem has agreed to certain commitments regarding its policies and procedures. As a part of the settlement, Anthem will also reportedly make a settlement payment of three million, eight hundred thousand dollars ($3,800,000.00), less fees, costs and other expenses approved by the Court, which will be distributed to eligible, individual dentist Settlement Class Members that practiced under a Provider Contract and who rendered services at any time during the period April 15, 1996 through April 14, 2002 for which a claim was submitted and reimbursed under that Provider Contract.
To receive a payment, you must fill out and submit a Claim Form by August 9, 2012.
The Court will hold a Settlement Hearing on September 13, 2012, at 10:00 A.M., at the Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. United States Courthouse, 400 North Miami Avenue, Miami, Florida, 33128 to determine whether the proposed Anthem Health Plans d/b/a Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Connecticut Dentist & Dental Plan settlement is fair, reasonable and adequate to members of the Settlement Class.
For more information about the Anthem Health Plans d/b/a Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Connecticut Dentist & Dental Plan class action settlement, visit the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Dentist & Dental Plan Class Action Settlement Information Website:
www.noticeclass.com/RuttSettlement
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