1206 Highmark, Inc.; filing no. 1-65S-98-HBCBS; requesting authority to increase Direct Pay Security 65 hospital rates (Medicare Part A)

Highmark, Inc.; Filing No. 1-65S-98-HBCBS; Requesting Authority to Increase Direct Pay Security 65 Hospital Rates (Medicare Part A)

[28 Pa.B. 3563]

   By Filing No. 1-65S-98-HBCBS, Highmark, Blue Cross Blue Shield requests approval of an increase to its Direct Pay Security 65 Hospital rates for Plans A, B, C and H. The filing requests an average increase of 19% varying by plan. The rate increase will impact about 138,311 policyholders and produce an additional annual premium income of $20.8 million. The requested approval date is January 1, 1999.

   The rate increases by Medicare Supplement Plan are shown as follows:

Security 65 Hospital Plan	Percentage Increase	Average Increase Per Sub. Month
Plan A	35.6%	$13.08
Plan B	24.6%	$13.72
Plan C	11.7%	$  9.08
Plan H	20.3%	$22.24
Overall	19.0%	$12.55

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

   Interested parties are invited to submit written comments, suggestions or objections to Bharat Patel, Actuary, Insurance Department, Office of Rate and Policy Regulation, Bureau of Accident and Health Insurance, 1311 Strawberry Square, Harrisburg, PA 17120, within 30 days of publication of this notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

M. DIANE KOKEN,   
Insurance Commissioner

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 98-1206. Filed for public inspection July 24, 1998, 9:00 a.m.]