801 Direct pay medical/surgical products (Blue Cross of Northeastern PA and Independence Blue Cross areas); rate filing
Highmark Inc. d/b/a Highmark Blue Shield; Direct Pay Medical/Surgical Products (Blue Cross of Northeastern PA and Independence Blue Cross Areas); Rate Filing [35 Pa.B. 2483] On April 7, 2005, the Insurance Department (Department) received from Highmark Blue Shield Filing No. 1-DPMS(MIDA)-05-HBS for a rate increase for Direct Pay Medical/Surgical Products (Blue Cross of Northeastern PA and Independence Blue Cross Areas).
The company requests an overall 9.9% increase amounting to $1,889,664 annually, to be effective September 1, 2005.
Effective January 1, 2006, Highmark Inc. is also implementing changes to the benefit design including the addition of a deductible of $250 individual/$750 family nonaggregate per contract year as well as a lifetime maximum, calendar year maximum and coverage for routine neonatal circumcision.
Unless formal administrative action is taken prior to July 6, 2005, the subject filing may be deemed approved by operation of law.
A copy of the filing is available on the 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 office in Harrisburg.
Interested parties are invited to submit written comments, suggestions or objections to James Sabater, Insurance Department, Insurance Product Regulation and Market Enforcement, Room 1311, Strawberry Square, Harrisburg, PA 17120, jsabater@state.pa.us within 30 days after publication of this notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
M. DIANE KOKEN,
Insurance Commissioner[Pa.B. Doc. No. 05-801. Filed for public inspection April 22, 2005, 9:00 a.m.]
