You’ve probably seen the headlines about the Anthem class action lawsuit popping up again. It’s a bit of a mess to untangle because, honestly, "Anthem" (now officially called Elevance Health) has been hit with so many different legal battles over the last decade that people often mix them up.
Are we talking about the massive 2015 data breach? Or the multi-billion dollar antitrust settlement? Or maybe the brand-new 2026 mental health coverage payout?
Basically, if you’ve ever had a Blue Cross Blue Shield plan—which Anthem operates in many states—you’re likely part of at least one of these "classes." But here’s the kicker: most people miss the deadlines because the paperwork looks like junk mail.
The $12.8 Million Mental Health Settlement (Happening Right Now)
If you’re reading this in early 2026, there is one specific case you need to pay attention to immediately. It involves denied claims for residential mental health and substance use treatment.
The court is looking at whether Anthem used "overly restrictive" guidelines to deny coverage for people who truly needed residential care. We aren't talking about a small glitch here. The lawsuit, officially known as 2:20-cv-01969-FB-SIL, alleges that Anthem’s internal rules were much tougher than the "generally accepted standards of medical practice" they promised to follow under ERISA-governed plans.
The clock is ticking. The deadline to file a claim for this specific pot of money is January 20, 2026.
Who actually qualifies?
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- You had a health plan governed by ERISA (usually through an employer).
- You requested coverage for residential behavioral health treatment between April 29, 2017, and April 30, 2025.
- Anthem denied the claim based on their "Clinical UM Guidelines" or "MCG Guidelines."
- You didn't win an administrative appeal to reverse that denial.
If that sounds like you, you might be looking at a pro-rata reimbursement for out-of-pocket costs or a nominal payment of at least $100. It's not a fortune for everyone, but for those who paid tens of thousands for rehab or residential therapy out of pocket, it’s a big deal.
The "Big One": The $2.67 Billion Antitrust Settlement
This is the one that confuses everyone. It’s technically against the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), but since Anthem is a primary player in that association, it’s often called the Anthem class action lawsuit by customers in states like California, New York, and Georgia.
The core of the argument was simple but huge. Plaintiffs alleged that the various Blue plans agreed not to compete against each other. They basically carved up the U.S. map like a Thanksgiving turkey. "You stay in your corner, I’ll stay in mine, and we won’t underbid each other."
That lacks the spirit of a free market, right? The court thought so too.
What’s the status in 2026?
The legal heavy lifting is mostly done. The Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal in mid-2024, which cleared the way for the $2.67 billion to finally start moving. If you filed a claim back in 2021 (the original deadline), you should have received a "Claim Determination Notice" by now.
Payments are rolling out throughout 2025 and 2026. If you haven't seen a check yet, check your email for a notice from the settlement administrator. These are being sent in batches because, frankly, trying to pay out 6 million people is an administrative nightmare.
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That Massive 2015 Data Breach: Is it Over?
Yes. Mostly.
The $115 million settlement for the 2015 data breach—which exposed the Social Security numbers and IDs of nearly 79 million people—is effectively closed. If you didn't file a claim by 2018 or 2019, that ship has sailed.
Interestingly, while the consumer checks were relatively small (often around $50), this case set a massive precedent. It was the first time a court really leaned into the "benefit of the bargain" theory. The idea was that when you pay for insurance, you aren't just paying for doctor visits; you’re paying for the security of your data. When Anthem lost the data, they didn't provide the full service you paid for.
The Provider Settlement: Doctors Are Getting Paid Too
It isn't just patients suing. In October 2024, a "monumental" settlement was reached for healthcare providers. This one is a $2.8 billion cash pool for doctors and hospitals who claimed Anthem and other Blue plans fixed prices and underpaid them for years.
The Anthem class action lawsuit for providers is currently in the "payout phase."
- The claim deadline was July 29, 2025.
- Final approval was granted in August 2025.
- The Settlement Administrator is expected to finish processing and mailing checks throughout 2026.
If you run a medical practice or a hospital and you missed that July 2025 deadline, you might be out of luck unless you can show "good cause" for the delay.
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Why These Lawsuits Keep Happening
Anthem is a giant. They have since rebranded their parent company to Elevance Health, but the "Anthem" brand remains the face of the company for millions of members. When you're that big, you're a target for litigation, but the sheer volume of these cases suggests systemic issues in how they handle data and claim denials.
For instance, just last year in May 2025, California regulators slapped Anthem with a $750,000 fine. Why? They were sending out thousands of denial letters with the wrong information on how to appeal. It makes you wonder how many people just gave up because the instructions were a dead end.
Actionable Steps: What You Should Do Now
If you think you're owed money or need to protect your rights, don't just sit on it. Class actions have strict windows.
- Check the Mental Health Deadline: If you had a residential treatment denial between 2017 and 2025, go to the official settlement website (usually linked through the Settlement Administrator's portal) and file by January 20, 2026.
- Search Your Email: Look for "Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement" or "Elevance Health Litigation." If you're part of the $2.67 billion antitrust case, your payout notice might be sitting in your spam folder.
- Document Everything: If you're currently dealing with a denied claim, keep every letter. Anthem's recent fines for "incorrect appeal information" mean you need to double-check their work. If they say you can't appeal, verify that with your state's Department of Managed Health Care or Department of Insurance.
- Watch for 1099s: If you receive a settlement check over $600, the IRS wants their cut. You'll likely receive a 1099-MISC. Don't forget to include it in your 2026 tax filings.
The reality is that these settlements are the only way to hold massive insurers accountable. It’s tedious and the payouts sometimes feel small compared to the hassle, but leaving the money on the table only helps the insurance company's bottom line.
Check your records for any residential treatment denials from the last eight years. You have less than a week to act on the latest one.
Verify your eligibility for the mental health settlement by reviewing your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statements for any "residential" level of care denials.