If you used insurance to fill a prescription at a Kroger pharmacy in recent years, you could qualify for a payment from a proposed $17 million class-action settlement.
The lawsuit claims Kroger charged
some insured customers more than it should have for certain generic prescription drugs. Plaintiffs allege that the grocery chain did not factor in lower prices available through its Kroger Savings Club when calculating the prices it reported to insurers, resulting in some customers paying higher out-of-pocket costs.
Kroger denies the allegations, saying the discounted Savings Club prices were available only to customers who paid an annual membership fee and therefore should not have been considered its standard prices. The company agreed to settle the lawsuit without admitting wrongdoing.
If the settlement receives final court approval, eligible customers who submit valid claims could receive a payment. Individual payouts will depend on how much they spent on qualifying prescriptions and the total number of approved claims.
Here's what to know.
Who is eligible for the settlement?
According to the settlement website, you may qualify if you:
- Paid all or part of the cost of one or more prescription drugs using insurance at a Kroger-owned or operated pharmacy
- Filled those prescriptions between Dec. 9, 2018, and Aug. 23, 2026
The settlement applies to eligible customers throughout the United States and its territories.
What is the lawsuit about?
Plaintiffs claim Kroger failed to include discounted Kroger Savings Club prices when determining the "usual and customary" prices it reported for certain prescription drugs. They allege that practice resulted in some insured customers paying inflated prices for generic medications.
The lawsuit includes claims of fraud, negligent misrepresentation and unjust enrichment.
Kroger disputes those claims, arguing that Savings Club prices are not its usual and customary prices because they are available only to customers who enroll in the program, pay an annual membership fee and meet other requirements. The company agreed to settle the lawsuit without admitting wrongdoing.
How much money could I receive?
Settlement administrators have not announced estimated individual payment amounts.
Instead, payments will be distributed on a pro rata basis. That means each eligible claimant's payment will depend on:
- How much they paid, in whole or in part, for qualifying prescriptions using insurance during the settlement period
- The total number and value of valid claims submitted
- The amount remaining in the settlement fund after court-approved attorneys' fees, litigation expenses and administrative costs are deducted
How do I file a claim?
Eligible customers who received a settlement notice can submit a claim online using the Claim ID included in their notice. Claimants who did not receive a notice but believe they qualify can also submit a claim through the settlement website.
Claimants must estimate or report how much they spent on qualifying prescriptions during the class period. Those claiming $8,000 or more must provide supporting documentation, while some claimants seeking less may also be asked to verify their purchases.
Payments can be sent by paper check, direct deposit, PayPal, Venmo or Zelle.
When is the claim deadline?
The deadline to file a claim is Dec. 21, 2026. Requests to exclude yourself from the settlement must be submitted by Oct. 22, 2026. A final hearing is scheduled for Jan. 11, 2027, and payments will begin only after the settlement receives final approval and any appeals are resolved.
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com, or on X @athompsonUSAT.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kroger pharmacy customers may qualify for payment in $17M settlement
