796 Attained age nongroup MedigapBlue plans for the western Pennsylvania region providing standardized benefit packages E and I; rate filing

Highmark Inc. d/b/a Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield; Attained Age Nongroup MedigapBlue Plans for the Western Pennsylvania Region Providing Standardized Benefit Packages E and I; Rate Filing

[35 Pa.B. 2480]

   By Filing No. 1-MGP(AA)-05-HBCBS, Highmark Inc. has filed for approval revised rates for its nongroup MedigapBlue program. The aggregate rate increase requested is 9.9%. The requested effective date of the revised rates is September 1, 2005. The current rates for Plan E took effect on September 1, 2004; the current rates for Plan I were effective July 26, 2001. The current and requested rates for 65-69 years of age issues and the requested rate adjustments are as follows:

Standardized Benefit Plan	Policy Number	Current Rate	Proposed Rate	Rate Adjustment
Plan E--Region 1	S65/E	$119.60	$131.45	9.9%
Plan E--Region 2	S65/E	$106.95	$117.55	9.9%
Plan I--Region 1	S65/I	$182.03	$200.05	9.9%
Plan I--Region 2	S65/I	$162.81	$178.95	9.9%

   Region 1 consists of the following counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland. All other counties in the Western Pennsylvania Region are in Region 2.

   These rate adjustments would affect approximately 8,368 members and would produce approximately $1.55 million in additional premium annually.

   Effective January 1, 2006, Plan I participants will have the option of eliminating the Rx benefit from their coverage. Those choosing to do so would receive the following reduction in rates (65-69 years of age rate shown):

Standardized Benefit Plan	Proposed Plan I Rate With Rx Benefit Effective September 1, 2005	Proposed Plan I Rate Without Rx Benefit Effective January 1, 2006	Rate Adjustment Due to Elimination of Rx Benefit
Plan I without Rx--Region 1	$200.05	$143.65	-28.2%
Plan I without Rx--Region 2	$178.95	$128.50	-28.2%

   Unless formal administrative action is taken prior to July 7, 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 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. 05-796. Filed for public inspection April 22, 2005, 9:00 a.m.]