Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan et al v. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

  1. August 15, 2024

    Stop 'Pointing Fingers,' Judge Tells Blue Cross, Mich. Tribe

    A Michigan federal judge on Wednesday urged counsel in a Native American tribe's lawsuit alleging Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan improperly billed for members' healthcare to heed his repeated advice and focus on the merits of the case, denying both parties' attempts to punish the other.

  2. January 30, 2024

    Tribe's Repeat Default Bids Disrespect Court, Blue Cross Says

    Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan says a Native American tribe's third request for a default win in its suit alleging the insurer overcharged for tribe members' care is disrespectful and constitutes a continued violation of a court order for the tribe to identify members involved in the insurance plan.

  3. December 01, 2023

    Judge Chides Tribe Seeking Blue Cross Default As 'Obstinate'

    A federal judge on Friday nixed a Native American tribe's latest bid for default judgment against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and the state's Health Care False Claims Act, saying the tribe, like the insurer, has been "obstinate" during the suit's discovery phase.

  4. November 29, 2023

    Blue Cross Still Stalling On Claims Data, Tribe Says

    A Native American tribe said Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan still has not handed over a set of claims data related to tribal members' care despite six orders from a Michigan federal court and attorney fee sanctions against the insurer, as it made its second bid for a default win in the case.

  5. July 20, 2023

    Blue Cross Must Pay Atty Fees, Skates On Default

    Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan isn't in default of a court order requiring it to produce data in an ongoing dispute over tribal insurance claims, a federal judge said, calling the case a "classic standoff in the face of confusion" while also ruling that the insurer must pay nearly $92,000 in attorney fees.

  6. June 27, 2023

    Mich. Tribe Says Blue Cross Data Problems Merit Default Win

    A Blue Cross Blue Shield unit and a Michigan tribe traded barbs in Michigan federal court Tuesday, with the tribe seeking a default judgment as each accused the other of dodging obligations to hand over information that would help resolve the tribe's allegations that the insurer overcharged tribal members for services. 

  7. June 20, 2023

    Blue Cross Still Defying Court Order, Michigan Tribe Alleges

    A Native American tribe contends that after three years, four court orders and seven status conferences, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan should be held accountable for withholding more than 4,800 hospital claims totaling more than $30 million in the tribe's bid for reimbursement.

  8. February 21, 2023

    Mich. Tribe Says Blue Cross Is Stalling To Avoid Discovery

    Native American leaders said Tuesday that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is stonewalling to avoid a federal judge's order to produce data that would show whether the insurer overcharged tribal members, saying the company has a pattern of flouting discovery obligations.

  9. February 01, 2023

    Mich. Judge Sanctions Blue Cross For Withholding Docs, Data

    A Michigan federal judge on Wednesday ordered sanctions against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan for withholding data for certain employees that would show whether the insurance company properly billed for services, saying Blue Cross "cannot skirt this obligation simply because it believes the Court 'was wrong.'"

  10. January 30, 2023

    Blue Cross Improperly Withheld Claims Data, Mich. Tribe Says

    Native American leaders say Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is withholding claims data for several tribal employees amid a long-running dispute with the health insurer, accusing the company of violating a federal judge's instructions to produce that information.