BCBS Settlement Washington — Premera & Regence Both Qualify
Both Washington BCBS plans — Premera Blue Cross and Regence BlueShield — are part of the $2.67B antitrust settlement. Washington lands in the mid-to-lower payout tier due to Kaiser Permanente competition.
Tier 1 (Individual)
$300–$700
Tier 2 (Employee)
$90–$280
Tier 3 (Employer)
$4,000–$28,000
Washington state has two separate BCBS licensees — Premera Blue Cross (serving the Seattle metro and western Washington) and Regence BlueShield (serving eastern Washington and smaller markets) — and both qualify for the Subscriber settlement.
However, Washington is not a BCBS-dominant state. Kaiser Permanente holds the largest statewide commercial market share (~19–21%), followed by Premera. The combined Premera + Regence BCBS footprint is roughly 20–25% of the commercial market — considerably lower than monopoly states like Michigan (~85%) or Alabama (~88%). That lower dominance translates directly into a lower state settlement multiplier.
Why Washington Payouts Are Mid-to-Lower Range
Washington Tier-1 individual claimants with 10 years of Premera or Regence coverage typically receive $300–$550. Long-tenure claimants with high premium levels (employer-sponsored PPO, $7,000–$10,000/year premiums) can approach $700.
The lower payout versus states like Michigan or Illinois reflects Washington's competitive insurance market — Kaiser's strong presence meant BCBS had less pricing power and, therefore, the antitrust harm coefficient applied to Washington claimants is smaller. If you had Kaiser-only coverage during the class period, you do not qualify for this settlement.
Premera Blue Cross + Regence BlueShield
Washington's two qualifying BCBS plans serve distinct geographic markets:
- Premera Blue Cross — the dominant BCBS carrier in western Washington including King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties (Seattle-Tacoma metro). Held over 50% of the commercial market in the Seattle MSA. Approximately 616,917 enrollees as of 2020.
- Regence BlueShield — serves eastern Washington (Spokane region), the Columbia Basin, and smaller markets statewide. Operated under Cambia Health Solutions. Also qualifies fully for the Subscriber settlement.
Coverage through either plan during February 7, 2008 – October 16, 2020 qualifies. If you switched between Premera and Regence during the class period, both periods count and your state multiplier applies to both.
Washington 2026 Distribution Status
Washington claimants are included in the standard 2026 Tier-1 distribution wave: prepaid debit cards mailing since May 19, 2026; paper checks rolling out late May through July. The Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) confirmed Washington residents are eligible for the distribution.
Local Washington media coverage: The Seattle Times and Seattle Post-Intelligencer (seattlepi.com) have covered the national settlement; the Spokesman-Review has reported specifically for Eastern Washington / Spokane-area Regence claimants.
Washington-Specific Exclusions
- PEBB (Public Employees Benefits Board) self-insured plans — Washington's Uniform Medical Plan (UMP), administered by Regence BlueShield but self-funded by the State of Washington through the Health Care Authority (HCA), is excluded. State government is a government account excluded from the settlement.
- SEBB (School Employees Benefits Board) self-insured plans — same exclusion as PEBB; school employee coverage through the HCA self-insured pool is excluded.
- Kaiser Permanente Washington — entirely separate carrier, not a BCBS Association licensee. Not eligible.
- Washington Medicaid managed care (Apple Health) plans through Premera or Regence — excluded.
- Federal Employee Program (FEP) BCBS — separate carve-out, excluded from Subscriber class.
- Medicare Advantage plans through Premera or Regence — excluded. Medicare Supplement (Medigap) may qualify partially.
Washington BCBS Settlement FAQ
I had Premera Blue Cross — does it qualify for the settlement?
Yes. Premera Blue Cross is a licensed Blue Cross Blue Shield Association member and is included in the Subscriber settlement class. Coverage through Premera during February 7, 2008 through October 16, 2020 qualifies.
I had Regence BlueShield (eastern Washington) — does it qualify?
Yes. Regence BlueShield is also a BCBS Association licensee and qualifies on the same terms as Premera. Eastern Washington claimants with Regence coverage during the class period are fully included in the settlement.
I had Kaiser Permanente — am I eligible?
No. Kaiser Permanente is not part of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and is not a defendant in this antitrust case. Kaiser Permanente Washington (formerly Group Health Cooperative) is a separate, independent carrier. Only BCBS-branded coverage qualifies.
I was a state employee covered by the Uniform Medical Plan — does it qualify?
Almost certainly not. Washington's Uniform Medical Plan (UMP) is a self-insured plan funded by the State of Washington through the Health Care Authority (HCA). Although Regence BlueShield administers the UMP, the plan is funded by the state — making it a government account excluded from the settlement. Check your benefits booklet: if it says 'self-insured' or 'self-funded,' you are excluded.
Why are Washington payouts lower than Michigan or Alabama?
The settlement formula applies a state-specific multiplier based on how dominant the local BCBS plan was during 2008–2020. Michigan BCBS held ~85% market share; Alabama ~88%. Washington's combined Premera + Regence share was roughly 20–25% of the commercial market, with Kaiser holding the largest statewide position. Lower dominance = smaller antitrust harm coefficient = lower per-year payout.