UnitedHealthcare has accepted a settlement of $2.5 million to settle claims that the company breached the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) by placing unauthorized robocalls to consumers. The UnitedHealthcare TCPA settlement impacts thousands of individuals in the United States who received these calls without their consent. In case you think you were among them, then this is all that you need to know about eligibility, filing claims, deadlines and what it means to consumers.
What Led to the UnitedHealthcare TCPA Settlement
The UnitedHealthcare made unsolicited robocalls between January 9, 2015, and January 9, 2019, to persons who were not members or authorized representatives of any member of UnitedHealthcare. These calls were done on computerized dialing services like Avaya Pro Contact or LiveVo IVR.
The lawsuit claimed that these calls violated the TCPA, a federal law designed to protect consumers from unwanted telemarketing calls, texts, and prerecorded messages. According to this law a company will not be allowed to engage in such calls unless it has had express written consent.
Rather than acknowledge wrongdoing, UnitedHealthcare settled claims and paid affected persons in a bid to pay $2.5 million to the jurisdiction. This agreement can be seen as a reminder that even large companies should not violate privacy rights of the consumer, and should comply with the federal communication regulations.
Who Is Eligible to File a Claim
The settlement of the UnitedHealthcare TCPA opens up the possibility of payment to you in case you fit the following criteria:
- UnitedHealthcare called you non-emergency on January 9, 2015, to January 9, 2019.
- Avaya Pro Contact or LiveVox IVR systems were used in making the call.
- You were not a member of UnitedHealthcare and an authorized third party during the call.
- This call involved an artificial or prerecorded voice message.
The settlement pays out calls made by certain UnitedHealthcare teams, such as Medicare and Retirement Non-Licensed Retention Team, Community and State National Retention Team and the Medicare and Retirement collections Team.
In case one or more of the said calls were made to you between the given time frame, you may be owed something.
How Much Can You Receive
Qualified claimants will receive payments of between $350 and $1,000 based on the number of individuals who submit successful claims. Approved claimants will share all the settlement dollars equally after deductions of legal fees and administrative expenses.
This range is a representative portion of the $2.5 million fund established to address the class action lawsuit, although the actual amount of the payment can vary.
How to File a Claim
The UnitedHealthcare TCPA settlement is easily filed online or through mails.
Here’s how:
- Check your mail or email: Only the eligible people will get a notice consisting of a special login code and a password.
- Visit the settlement website: Visit the site at UnitedTCPAClassAction.com, and enter the login details.
- Complete the claim form: Provide complete name, address where the calls were received and the phone number.
- Submit the form: You may submit the completed PDF electronically or print and post it to that address which is indicated in the web site.
The claim filing deadline is April 15, 2025. Remember to make your claim before this date so that you can get paid.
Important Dates to Remember
- Claim Deadline: April 15, 2025
- Exclusion and Objection Deadline: April 15, 2025
- Final Approval Hearing: June 20, 2025
Once the court makes final approval, approved claimants can be expecting to be paid within some 30 days.
Why the Settlement Matters
The UnitedHealthcare TCPA settlement is not a payout, but it is also a major victory for consumer rights. It supports the idea that even big companies need to adhere to the laws that ensure protection of people against telemarketing calls against their wishes.
Such cases also contribute to the knowledge regarding the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and allow more consumers to protest against the act of invasion of privacy. A large number of Americans get dozens of robocalls every month and they consent to receive the robocalls. This court case demonstrates that litigation can result in accountable responsibility.
What Happens If You Don’t File a Claim
Failure to claim compensation will make you ineligible to receive payment out of the settlement fund. But, you will also forfeit your right to separate action against UnitedHealthcare in the same matter in future. Making a claim means that you will claim what you deserve and will not be deprived of your rights.
Final Thoughts
The UnitedHealthcare TCPA settlement shows that the legal system ensures that consumers are not encroached upon by corporate entities. UnitedHealthcare can pay awards between $350 and $1,000 to those who received unauthorized robocalls between 2015 and 2019.
Being aware and active keeps you in the compensation stakes and will contribute to better business in the healthcare sector.