— An Alabama federal judge has given his initial approval for a $2.8 billion settlement inked between Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and a proposed class of medical providers in a more than 12-year-old antitrust case targeting association rules.
U.S. District Judge David R. Proctor issued an order Wednesday granting preliminary approval for the deal, which also includes a commitment from BCBS to invest “hundreds of millions” overhauling its claims systems to soften barriers between members.