1424 Highmark Inc. d/b/a Highmark Blue Shield; special care medical/surgical program; rate filing; ID no. A71475001

Highmark Inc. d/b/a Highmark Blue Shield; Special Care Medical/Surgical Program; Rate Filing; ID No. A71475001

[33 Pa.B. 3576]

   By filing no. 1-SCMS-03-HI, Highmark Inc. d/b/a Highmark Blue Shield requests approval to increase premium rates for its special care medical/surgical programs in the Central Pennsylvania Region, Independence Blue Cross Region and Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania Region. Increases will vary by region as follows.

Region	Percentage Increase	Additional Prem. per Month	Number of Contracts
Central Pennsylvania Region	11.5%	$20,200	3,270
Independence Blue Cross Region	9.8%	$67,400	11,630
Blue Cross of Northeast Pennsylvania	5.9%	$  7,000	2,750
All Regions Combined	9.6%	$94,600	17,650

   The filing requests an average increase of about 9.6% of current premiums. This will affect about 17,650 contract holders and produce additional annual income of about $1,135,200. The requested effective date of the change is January 1, 2004.

   Copies of the filing are available for public inspection during normal working hours, by appointment, at the Insurance Department's regional offices in Harrisburg and Pittsburgh.

   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. 03-1424. Filed for public inspection July 18, 2003, 9:00 a.m.]