The insurer will also not make any mid-year changes to consumers’ deductibles, co-pays and additional out-of-pocket costs.
The settlement resolves two lawsuits — one by Consumer Watchdog and another by Shernoff Bidart Echeverria Bentley — that alleged that Anthem “illegally” increased deductibles and other “annual” out-of-pocket costs to individual policyholders in California in 2011.
Consumers no longer need to file claims, and Anthem will repay those who paid more due to the mid-2011 increases.
“Anthem is pleased that all parties were able to come to an agreement,” said Anthem spokesman Darrel Ng in a statement.
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