Blue Cross of California has announced that they will issue all of their small group clients (i.e., employers with 2-50 employees) a one-time credit of 18% of the monthly health insurance premium. The credit will be based on active enrollment in the Blue Shield plan on July 31, 2012 and it will apply to the September 2012 bill. Unlike the MLR Rebates, this credit will be issued to employers and they can return portions of it to their employees or not. MLR rebates must be returned to employees commensurate with the employees’ contribution to the health plan premium.

Here is an FAQ Blue Shield of California prepared on the September 2012 Small Group Refund.