Health insurance in Northern California might have cost you more than it should have. And now, you might be getting some of it back.
Sutter Health has agreed to settle a long-running class action lawsuit—Sidibe, et al. v. Sutter Health—for $228.5 million. The case centered around accusations that Sutter used restrictive contract terms with major insurance companies, which allegedly led to inflated hospital costs and, eventually, higher premiums for patients and employers. Sutter denies any wrongdoing, and no court ruled against them. But both sides agreed to settle rather than continue through another phase of litigation.
Who This Impacts
This isn’t some niche legal fight. This affects a huge swath of the population. If you lived or worked in certain counties in Northern California between 2011 and early 2021, and you paid premiums to Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, Health Net, or United Healthcare, you may qualify for a payment.
What You Need to Have Done
To qualify, all of the following must be true:
- You paid premiums for a fully-insured health plan from one of the five insurers listed above.
- You made those payments sometime between January 1, 2011, and March 8, 2021.
- You either lived or worked in one of 34 listed California counties during that time—or you were an employer with an office in one of them.
The list of counties covers much of Northern California. It includes places like San Francisco, Alameda, Sacramento, Sonoma, San Mateo, Contra Costa, Marin, and Placer, among others.
The full list can be found at SutterHealthPremiumLawsuit.com.
How Much You Could Receive
The exact amount isn’t yet known. It depends on how many people file valid claims. After covering legal fees, administrative costs, and small awards to the six plaintiffs who represented the class, the rest of the $228.5 million fund will be distributed to eligible individuals and employers who submit claims.
So, if you want a piece of the payout, you have to act.
How to File a Claim
You can file online at SutterHealthPremiumLawsuit.com. You can also download a paper form or call 1-833-961-3465 to request one by mail.
All claims must be submitted—or postmarked—by September 12, 2025.
No claim, no check. It’s that simple.
What if You Opted Out?
If you previously excluded yourself from the class (the opt-out deadline was March 8, 2021), then this doesn’t apply to you. You won’t get a payment, and you can’t object to the settlement.
If you didn’t opt out, you are automatically included. You’re bound by the settlement, whether you file a claim or not. But if you want to object to any part of it, you can do so by mailing your objection no later than August 28, 2025.
Next Steps in Court
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California will hold a Fairness Hearing on November 6, 2025, in San Francisco. The judge will decide whether to approve the settlement, legal fees, and other administrative costs.
If the court approves the deal—and there are no delays—payments should follow.
Why This Matters
This isn’t a niche billing issue or a narrow legal matter. This is about years of health insurance premiums that may have been artificially high. The settlement could return some of that money to people and businesses who paid the price. For many, that refund won’t erase the frustration. But it might help cover a few of those co-pays that felt too high for too long.