Regence BlueShield $3M Hearing Aid Coverage Settlement

Consumers who purchased a hearing aid or paid for related services in Washington state between Oct. 30, 2014, and Dec. 31, 2025, and whose Regence BlueShield insurance plan did not cover these costs may be eligible to claim a share of a class action settlement.

Regence BlueShield and Cambia Health Solutions Inc. agreed to pay $3 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging the companies unlawfully excluded or limited coverage for hearing aids and associated services in certain Washington health plans.

Who can file a claim?

Class members must meet both of the following criteria:

• A Washington health insurance plan delivered, issued for delivery or renewed by Regence BlueShield and/or Cambia Health Solutions Inc. or their affiliates or subsidiaries insured them or a family member from Oct. 30, 2014, to Dec. 31, 2025, and the plan excluded or limited coverage for hearing aids and associated services.
• They incurred unreimbursed out-of-pocket expenses for medically necessary hearing aids and associated services between Oct. 30, 2014, and Dec. 31, 2025.

Additional details:

• Individuals are not automatically eligible for settlement benefits just because they received a notice. They must meet both criteria above.
• The class includes both policyholders and their dependents who meet the requirements.
• If a qualifying plan covered a family member and they incurred eligible expenses, they may also be included.

Who is excluded from the class?

The settlement excludes those who enrolled in large group plans from Jan. 1, 2024, to Dec. 31, 2025, even if their plan otherwise excluded or limited hearing aid coverage.

How much can class members receive?

The total settlement fund is $3 million, but the settlement administrator will reduce this amount by attorneys’ fees, litigation costs, incentive awards to the named plaintiffs, arbitration costs, taxes and administration expenses before distribution to claimants.

After deducting the above expenses, the administrator will distribute the remaining funds proportionally based on each claimant’s unreimbursed expenses and the total value of all valid claims submitted.

If there are excess funds after the administrator pays all claims and expenses, it will donate up to $300,000 to the Washington State Communication Access Project. Any remaining excess will go to the Legal Foundation of Washington for organizations advocating for the deaf and hard of hearing

How to claim a settlement payment

Eligible class members can complete the online claim form or download, print and complete the PDF claim form and mail it to the settlement administrator.

Settlement administrator's mailing address: E.S. v. Regence BlueShield Settlement Claims Administrator, PO Box 2287, Portland, OR 97208-2287

What information is necessary to submit a claim?

Claimants will need to provide:

• The date(s) of purchase or service (month/year)
• The name, address and phone number of the provider
• A description of the hearing aid or service
• The amount paid or owed
• Whether they previously submitted the claim to Regence for coverage

Claimants must also attach documentation showing payment or debt incurred for the hearing aids or associated services. Acceptable documents include:

• Itemized statements
• Canceled checks
• Credit card statements
• Receipts
• Treatment summaries

Do not send original documents as they will not be returned.

Payout options

The settlement website does not detail specific payment methods.

$3 million settlement fund breakdown

The $3,000,000 settlement fund covers:

• Administration costs: To be determined
• Attorneys’ fees: Up to 1,050,000
• Attorneys' costs: To be determined
• Case contribution awards: Up to $15,000 each for the two named plaintiffs (maximum $30,000)
• Payments to eligible class members: The remainder after all above expenses are paid

Important dates

• Deadline to file a claim: Feb. 3, 2026
• Deadline for exclusion: March 6, 2026
• Fairness hearing: March 20, 2026

When is the E.S. v. Regence BlueShield payout date?

The settlement administrator will issue payments to approved claimants after the court resolves any appeals and grants the settlement final approval.

Why is there a class action settlement?

The class action lawsuit alleged Regence BlueShield and Cambia Health Solutions Inc. discriminated against people with hearing loss by excluding or limiting coverage for hearing aids and related services in their health plans. The plaintiffs claimed this exclusion violated federal health insurance antidiscrimination laws.

Regence denied the allegations but agreed to settle to resolve the dispute and avoid further litigation.

Sources

1. Class notice
2. Claim form
3. Settlement agreement
4. Settlement FAQ