INSURANCE DEPARTMENT Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania; Access Care II Community Rated Group; Rate Filing [35 Pa.B. 1945] On March 15, 2005, Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania submitted rate filing No. 940-ACHCR-HOSP-07/05 requesting the Insurance Department's (Department) approval to increase the current approved rates for the Blue Cross Community Rated Program. The proposed increase is 33.87%.
The projected number of contracts during the July 1, 2005, to September 30, 2006, period is approximately 18,225. The proposed increase will generate additional annual revenue of $16.7 million. An effective date of July 1, 2005, is requested.
Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania also proposes to make the following benefit changes: Skilled Nursing Facility, Hospice, Home Health Care and Home Infusion, Private Duty Nursing, Family Deductible and Coinsurance and Deductible Carryover, Bony Impacted Wisdom Teeth, and Inpatient Rehab Long-Term Therapy, Emergency Room Copay options. Included in these changes are:
* Changing Skilled Nursing Facility from 100 to 60 days/calendar year.
* Changing Home Health Care from unlimited visits to 100 days/calendar year.
* Changing from a 2x to 3x family deductible and coinsurance.
* Removing Bony Impacted Wisdom Teeth.
A copy of the filing is available on the Department's 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 available for public inspection during normal working hours, by appointment, at the Department's regional office in Harrisburg.
Interested parties are invited to submit written comments, suggestions or objections to Rashmi Mathur, Actuary, Bureau of Accident and Health Insurance, Insurance Department, 1311 Strawberry Square, Harrisburg, PA 17120 within 30 days after publication of this notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
M. DIANE KOKEN,
Insurance Commissioner[Pa.B. Doc. No. 05-577. Filed for public inspection March 25, 2005, 9:00 a.m.]
