190 Highmark, Inc. d/b/a Pennsylvania Blue Shield; rate increase for the small group Medicare complementary (Signature 65 part B) program; filing no. 200301

Highmark, Inc. d/b/a Pennsylvania Blue Shield; Rate Increase for the Small Group Medicare Complementary (Signature 65 Part B) Program; Filing No. 200301

[33 Pa.B. 705]

   Highmark, Inc. d/b/a Pennsylvania Blue Shield requested approval to increase premium rates for its Small Group Medicare Complementary (Signature 65 Part B) Program in the Central Pennsylvania Plan area. The filing requests an average increase of 17.9% of current premium or an average of $8.75 per contract per month. This will affect approximately 2,600 contract holders and produce additional annual premium income of approximately $276,000. The requested effective date of the change is April 1, 2003.

   Rates were last adjusted for this program on April 1, 2000, when the rates were increased 1.6% in the Central Pennsylvania service area.

   Interested parties are invited to submit written comments, suggestions or objections to Bharat Patel, Actuary, Insurance Department, Accident and Health Bureau, Office of Rate and Policy Regulation, 1311 Strawberry Square, Harrisburg, PA 17120, within 15 days of publication of this notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

M. DIANE KOKEN,   
Insurance Commissioner

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 03-190. Filed for public inspection January 31, 2003, 9:00 a.m.]