907 Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and Keystone Health Plan West; fair payment provision; filings no. FPRHA-AM-02-WP and FPRMCHA-AM02-WP

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and Keystone Health Plan West; Fair Payment Provision; Filings No. FPRHA-AM-02-WP and FPRMCHA-AM-02-WP

[32 Pa.B. 2554]

   On May 3, 2002, Highmark Inc. d/b/a Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and Keystone Health Plan West, Inc. submitted filings FPRHA-AM-02-WP and FPRMCHA-AM-02-WP to the Insurance Department (Department) and the Department of Health for review and approval. The filings propose the use of a provision, the ''Fair Payment Rate Provision,'' which would be used based on negotiated payment arrangements, in the Hospital and Managed Care Hospital Agreements with some hospitals in the 29-county region in western Pennsylvania. The purpose of this provision is to assure that the acute care payment rates negotiated with Highmark are no higher than those of most other contracted ''Non-Governmental Payors.''

   Copies of the filing will be 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 Richard Stoner, 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. 02-907. Filed for public inspection May 17, 2002, 9:00 a.m.]