Hundreds of St. Lawrence County residents and companies may have money waiting for them from $1.45 million in forgotten funds from Excellus Health Plan, including Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.

The checks were issued to members and providers in 2010, but were never cashed. If funds are not claimed by the end of August, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is required by law to turn the money over to the state comptroller.

More than 10,500 New York state individuals and companies, including hundreds from across northern New York may be eligible.

A complete list of the names of people and companies with checks to claim, along with instructions on how to claim those forgotten funds, is available online at excellusbcbs.com/forgottenfunds.

“This is money that was paid for claims or refunded premiums. If the money remains unclaimed, it will go to the state,” said Christopher C. Booth, president and chief executive officer. “It rightfully belongs to our members or providers, and we want to make sure they have one more chance to claim it before it goes to the state.”

Each April, the state requires health insurers to print a legal notice, including a list of names of all individuals and companies that have been issued three-year-old checks which haven’t been cashed, in a final attempt to locate people who have money to claim.

Most of the funds that have yet to be redeemed were allocated to Excellus BCBS members and providers who may not have cashed the checks for a number of reasons. The member may have moved and not left a forwarding address, or may have died, or may have forgotten to cash the check.

To claim a check prior to Aug. 31, current health plan members can call the phone number listed on their member identification card. Former members, or those calling on behalf of the estate of a family member, can call Excellus BlueCross BlueShield at 1-877-757-3850.

Checks will not be mailed to claimants until after Aug. 31.