A class and collective action lawsuit has been filed against a major health insurance company for alleged violations of federal and state labor laws. Emmeline Dunckel, the plaintiff, initiated the complaint on November 14, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Health Care Service Corporation. The lawsuit accuses the corporation of failing to pay overtime wages to its Medical Management Specialists as required by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Illinois Minimum Wage Law (IMWL).
Emmeline Dunckel, who worked as a Medical Management Specialist from August 2022 to April 2024, claims that she and her colleagues were improperly classified as exempt from overtime pay despite regularly working more than 40 hours per week. According to Dunckel, their duties primarily involved non-exempt tasks such as completing Health Risk Assessments and care plans using standardized procedures set by Medicaid contracts. Despite this, they were paid a salary without overtime compensation until their reclassification in August 2023.
The complaint highlights that Health Care Service Corporation operates under the Blue Cross and Blue Shield brand across several states and provides managed care services under government-sponsored health plans like Medicaid. The plaintiff argues that her role did not involve managerial responsibilities or independent judgment on significant matters, which are typical criteria for exemption from overtime laws. She asserts that these misclassifications led to violations of both federal and state wage laws.
Dunckel seeks unpaid overtime wages for herself and similarly situated employees over the past three years. Additionally, she requests liquidated damages equal to unpaid wages under FLSA provisions and treble damages plus statutory penalties under IMWL guidelines. The lawsuit aims to certify a class action under Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure for all affected Medical Management Specialists in Illinois.
Representing Dunckel is attorney Travis M. Hedgpeth from The Hedgpeth Law Firm PC based in Houston, Texas. The case is identified with Case ID: 1:24-cv-11740 but does not list any specific judges presiding over it at this time.