Connecticut BCBS Antitrust Settlement — Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Subscriber Guide
What Connecticut policyholders covered by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Connecticut can expect from the $2.67 billion class-action distribution beginning May 2026
Tier 1 (Individual)
$5–$75
Tier 2 (Employee)
$75–$350
Tier 3 (Employer)
$350–$1,200+
Connecticut subscribers covered by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Connecticut — the state's sole BCBS-licensed plan, operated by Elevance Health — may be eligible for payments from the $2.67 billion BCBS antitrust settlement, provided they filed a valid claim by the November 5, 2021 deadline.
The settlement resolved a federal antitrust class action, In re: Blue Cross Blue Shield Antitrust Litigation MDL 2406, alleging that the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and approximately 35 member plans conspired to divide geographic markets and suppress national competition. Initial distribution checks and prepaid debit cards began rolling out on May 11, 2026.
Why Connecticut Payouts Are in the Lower-Mid Range
Connecticut is a competitively fragmented health insurance market. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Connecticut held approximately 22–29 percent of the state's commercial market during the 2008–2020 class period. ConnectiCare, Aetna (headquartered in Hartford), Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare all competed actively in Connecticut, limiting Anthem BCBS's market concentration.
Connecticut claimants' individual payouts depend primarily on years of coverage and premium amounts. Subscribers with long-tenure, higher-premium plans will see payouts closer to the top of the ranges. The national average payout is approximately $333.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Connecticut
Connecticut's sole BCBS licensee is Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Connecticut, a subsidiary of Elevance Health, Inc. (formerly Anthem, Inc.), headquartered in Indianapolis. During the class period, Anthem CT offered PPO, HMO, and employer-group products statewide.
It is the only BCBS Association licensee in Connecticut — ConnectiCare and Aetna are entirely separate companies and are NOT affiliated with the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Coverage through those carriers does not qualify for this settlement.
Connecticut 2026 Distribution Status
The settlement administrator began distributing initial payments on May 11, 2026. Payments are being issued as either paper checks or prepaid Visa debit cards, with activation emails sent from [email protected]. Connecticut claimants can check status at bcbssettlement.com using their Claim Number or Unique ID.
Hartford Courant, Hartford Daily Voice, and other Connecticut regional outlets have covered the settlement distributions. The minimum payment threshold is $5.00.
Connecticut-Specific Exclusions
- State of Connecticut Comptroller employee and retiree health plans: Connecticut state employees covered through the state employee health plan administered by Anthem under contract with the Connecticut Office of the State Comptroller are in a government account, excluded.
- Connecticut municipal employees: Employees covered through town or city government health plans fall under the government-account exclusion.
- Federal Employee Program (FEP) BCBS: Federal government employees and retirees in the Hartford metro covered through FEP are excluded.
- ConnectiCare and Aetna subscribers: Not BCBS-affiliated plans, do not qualify.
- Medicare Advantage plans through Anthem CT: Excluded. Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policies are included.
- Connecticut Medicaid (HUSKY) managed care: Government program, excluded.
Connecticut BCBS Settlement FAQ
I had Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut — am I eligible?
Potentially yes, if (1) you had a fully insured commercial Anthem BCBS plan in Connecticut between February 7, 2008 and October 16, 2020, and (2) you filed a valid claim by the November 5, 2021 deadline. Government-account plans, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid managed care are excluded.
Are ConnectiCare or Aetna subscribers eligible?
<strong>No.</strong> ConnectiCare is an independent HMO not affiliated with the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Aetna — despite being headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut — is also not a BCBS plan. This settlement applies exclusively to Blue Cross Blue Shield-affiliated coverage.
I was a Connecticut state employee with Anthem coverage — am I excluded?
Most likely yes. The State of Connecticut employee and retiree health plan administered by Anthem under contract with the State Comptroller is a government account. If you also held a separate fully insured Anthem BCBS plan through a private employer during 2008–2020, that separate coverage may independently qualify.
How does Connecticut compare to neighboring states like New York or Massachusetts?
Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts are all lower-to-mid-tier states in this settlement because BCBS plans in those states competed with multiple large carriers. Connecticut's Anthem BCBS held approximately 22–29%; all three states sit below high-dominance states like Michigan (~85%) and Alabama (~90%).
Where can I find Connecticut-specific coverage of the settlement?
Hartford Daily Voice, the Hartford Courant, and the Stamford Advocate have all covered the 2026 settlement distribution. The sole authoritative source is bcbssettlement.com. The administrator's phone line is (888) 681-1142.