Highmark settlement information

File no later than Feb. 27, 2008: Highmark Inc. and Mountain State agree to an approximate $10 million payout

7 easy steps to maximize your recovery from the $10 million Higmark settlements fund (PDF, 49KB)

The Highmark Settlement forms were mailed to physicians on Nov. 29, 2007. The documents include the notice of the proposed settlement, instructions for filing a proof of claim along with the claim form. If you did not receive these documents, visit www.hmosettlements.com to download the documents. The completed proof of claim form should be postmarked no later than Feb. 27, 2008 and sent to the Settlement Administrator at: Highmark/Mountain State, Settlement Administrator, PO Box 3775, Portland, OR 97208-3775.

If you wish to opt-out of this settlement, the opt-out form must be received by the Notice Administrator by Jan. 14, 2008. Those who opt-out will not be entitled to receive the benefits of the proposed Settlement with the Blue Plans, including any payment from the Settlement Fund and any benefit from the business practice commitments specified in the Settlement Agreement. Visit the AMA settlement Web site www.ama-assn.org/go/settlements to locate an interactive BCBS settlement state map to locate the BCBS parties involved in your state or region in the recent BCBS parties' settlement. Don’t miss this opportunity to collect your share of the approximately $10 million.

Pertinent information:

Date settlement reached by parties: Oct. 19, 2007

Preliminary approval date: Oct. 19, 2007

Proof of claim form deadline: Postmarked by Feb. 27, 2008

Opt out deadline: Must be received by the Notice Administrator by Jan. 14, 2008

Fairness hearing date: Feb. 12, 2008*

Final approval date: TBD

Value of settlements:

Retrospective relief: $9,958,968 together with accrued interest from
Dec. 19, 2007

Prospective relief: TBD

Mailed notice (PDF)

Settlement claim form (PDF)

Claim form instructions (PDF)

Questions about the settlement may be directed to Whatley Drake & Kallas, L.L.C., at (866) 809-8003.

*Please be advised that a motion has been granted to move the Fairness Hearing Date from Feb. 11, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. to Feb. 12, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. This does not affect any of the other dates in the notice (i.e., claim filing deadline, opt out deadline and objection deadline).