2295 Highmark Inc. d/b/a Highmark Blue Shield; filing no. 200418, application for approval of revised base rates for Community Group Medigap medical surgical products--Blue Cross of Northeastern PA and Independence Blue Cross plan areas; rate filing

Highmark Inc. d/b/a Highmark Blue Shield; Filing No. 200418, Application for Approval of Revised Base Rates for Community Group Medigap Medical Surgical Products--Blue Cross of Northeastern PA and Independence Blue Cross Plan Areas; Rate Filing

[34 Pa.B. 6809]

   Highmark Inc. has filed for approval of increased rates for Community Group Medigap Medical Surgical Northeastern PA service area plan 38065 A (65 Special) and Independence BC service area plans 38065 A (65 Special), 5450 (Plan A), 5415 (Plan B), 5452 (Plan C) and 5453 (Plan H). The filing requests an aggregate increase of 22.1% for the Northeastern PA service area and an aggregate 30.3% for the Independence BC service area. The rate increase will impact about 8,759 policyholders in this Commonwealth and produce additional annual premium income of approximately $2.1 million. The requested effective date of the increased rates is April 1, 2005. The most recent prior rate increase for these plans took effect on October 1, 2001.

   Unless formal administrative action is taken prior to March 2, 2005, the subject filing may be deemed approved by operation of law.

   A copy of the filing is available on the Insurance Department's (Department) website at www.ins.state.pa.us. Under the Quick Links section, click on the link ''Rate Filings Published in the PA Bulletin.''

   Copies of the filing are also available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal working hours at the Department's regional offices in Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

   Interested parties are invited to submit written comments, suggestions or objections to Michael Gurgiolo, Insurance Department, Insurance Product Regulation and Market Enforcement, Room 1311, Strawberry Square, Harrisburg, PA 17120, [e-mail] within 30 days after publication of this notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

M. DIANE KOKEN,   
Insurance Commissioner

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 04-2295. Filed for public inspection December 23, 2004, 9:00 a.m.]