Second Blue Bids for Qualified National Accounts

Eligible employers are able to request a second Blue bid. Learn about the second Blue bid process and whether you’re eligible to request a bid.

What You Need to Know

What is a second Blue bid?

On September 24, 2024, certain large, self-funded national employers will be able to request a bid for self-funded healthcare benefits from a second Blue Cross Blue Shield company, in addition to their local Blue Cross Blue Shield company.

What is a Qualified National Account? 

In October 2020, Blue Cross Blue Shield companies reached a class action settlement with subscribers related to licensing agreements within the Blue Cross and Blue Shield System.  Under the terms of this Settlement Agreement, “Qualified National Accounts” are those identified large, self-funded national employers with geographically dispersed work forces that qualify to request a second Blue bid from a Blue Cross Blue Shield company that is not located within the employer’s headquartered geography, so long as the employer does not already have access to two Blue bids.  Qualified National Accounts are identified through a methodology that incorporates objective, third party data from Dun & Bradstreet and amounts to half of all membership – or 33 million members –from large, self-funded national employers in the U.S. and approximately one-third of members of all self-funded accounts.

The Settlement Agreement provides the final list of eligible accounts at this time and for two years following final approval including appeals. After two years, the list of Qualified National Accounts will be refreshed every two years. The current list of Qualified National Accounts for this provision can be found at www.BCBSsettlement.com.

While non-employer accounts may be members of the damages class and eligible to receive monetary payments from the settlement fund, they are not eligible to request a second Blue bid. Non-employer accounts, include, but are not limited to, Taft-Hartley Trust Plan sponsors, multiple employer welfare arrangements, association health plans, and retiree groups.

How do I know if my company is a Qualified National Account?

The Settlement Agreement provides the final list of eligible accounts at this time and for two years following final approval including appeals.  After two years, the list of Qualified National Accounts will be refreshed every two years. The current list of Qualified National Accounts for this provision can be found at www.BCBSsettlement.com and in this document.

When will Qualified National Accounts be able to request a second Blue bid?

Eligeble employers can requests a second Blue bid starting September 24, 2024.

Where can I get more information on the Subscriber Multi-District Litigation and second Blue bid? 

Additional information is available at www.BCBSSettlement.com as well as the Resources section below.

Resources