Consumer advocates filed two separate lawsuits against Cigna and Blue Shield of California for misrepresenting their physician and hospital networks in order to boost sales during the Affordable Care Act’s ‘open enrollment period’ that ended on March 31.

“Blue Shield and Cigna lied to patients about the most important aspect of their health care plans: which doctors and hospitals they could visit under their new health coverage.  As a result, many patients were left without coverage when they needed treatment,” said Laura Antonini, staff attorney for Consumer Watchdog. “Making matters worse, Blue Shield also collected premium payments from many consumers for months without providing consumers with proof of coverage, preventing them from accessing medical treatments and services.”