455 Application for approval to merge with Hospital Service Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania, d/b/a Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania

INSURANCE DEPARTMENT

Application for Approval to Merge with Hospital Service Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania, d/b/a Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania

[44 Pa.B. 1297]
[Saturday, March 1, 2014]

 Highmark, Inc., a Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation licensed to operate a nonprofit hospital plan and a nonprofit professional health service plan, has submitted an application seeking approval of an agreement of merger, whereby it proposes to merge with Hospital Service Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania, d/b/a Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania (BCNEPA), a Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation licensed to operate a nonprofit hospital plan. Highmark, Inc. would be the survivor of the merger. Pennsylvania domiciled insurer subsidiaries of BCNEPA affected by the agreement of merger include: First Priority Life Insurance Company, Inc. and HMO of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Inc. d/b/a First Priority Health. The application was received on February 18, 2014, and was made under Article XIV of The Insurance Company Law of 1921 (40 P. S. §§ 991.1401—991.1413).

 The filing and related materials were made available on the Insurance Department's (Department) web site www.insurance.pa.gov on February 19, 2014. After first scheduling an appointment, consumers may also view the application and supplemental documents at the Department's Harrisburg office, [phone].

 Persons wishing to comment on the filing on the grounds of public or private interest in the filing are invited to submit a written statement on the filing to the Department. The public comment period will remain open for an indefinite period of time to afford persons ample opportunity to provide written comments on the filing to the Department. A subsequent notice will appear in the Pennsylvania Bulletin to announce the closing of the public comment period. Written statements must include the name, address and telephone number of the person making the statement; identification of the application to which the statement is addressed; and a concise statement with sufficient details and relevant facts to inform the Department of the exact basis of the statement. Written statements should be directed to Cressinda Bybee, Senior Insurance Company Licensing Specialist, Company Licensing Division, Insurance Department, 1345 Strawberry Square, Harrisburg, PA 17120, fax [phone], [e-mail].

 Comments received will be part of the public record regarding the filing and will be made available on the Department's web site. Additionally, copies of the comments received will be forwarded to the applicant for appropriate response. The applicant's responses will also be made available on the Insurance Department's web site.

MICHAEL F. CONSEDINE, 
Insurance Commissioner

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 14-455. Filed for public inspection February 28, 2014, 9:00 a.m.]