Published: November 14, 2008 07:00 pm      

Blue Cross, county settle lawsuit

PONTIAC -- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has agreed to pay $650,000 to settle a lawsuit with Oakland County over administration fees.

The county sued the nonprofit health insurer, claiming it had paid more than $16 million in hidden fees since 1994. Blue Cross denied anything sinister and said the county wasn't closely following the contract.

The Detroit Free Press reported Friday that the settlement in Oakland County Circuit Court was signed Oct. 29.

The insurer agreed not to charge any administrative fees for three years. The county road commission still has a lawsuit against Blue Cross.