Blues, docs reach $128m settlement in class-action suit.

Nearly all of the U.S. Blue Cross Blue Shield plans have reached a major class-action settlement with physicians who accused the health insurers of conspiring to underpay them through the use of computerized claims-processing systems.

The settlement, reached in federal court in Miami, follows ones that have occurred over the past few years with almost all of the biggest for-profit, publicly traded health insurers involving similar allegations.

Under terms of the accord, class members will receive a cash payment of more than $128 million. The Blues also agreed to enact changes to their business practice, which the plaintiffs' attorneys say brings the estimated value of the deal to more than $1 billion. Attorneys' fees total just more than $49 million, which the defendants aren't opposing, according to plaintiffs' attorneys. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association also was a defendant in the case.

By the Numbers
Blues Settle With Physicians

Cash payment to be received by the class                 $128 million
members.

Estimated value of entire deal, including             Over $1 billion
changes to the Blues' business practice.

Attorneys' fees that the defendants aren't                $49 million
opposing, according to plaintiffs' attorneys.