1247 Highmark, Inc.; filing no. 1-SCM5-98-HI; request ing authority to increase Special Care Medical Surgical Product rates

Rate Filing; Highmark, Inc.; Filing No. 1-SCMS-98-HI; Requesting Authority to Increase Special Care Medical Surgical Product Rates

[28 Pa.B. 3724]

   By Filing No. 1-SCMS-98-HI, Highmark, Inc., requests approval of an increase to its Special Care Medical Surgical Product rates. The filing requests an average increase of 10.34% varying by Blue Cross Plan area. The rate increase will impact about 45,275 policyholders and produce an additional annual premium income of $2.0 million. The requested approval date is January 1, 1999.

   The rate increases by Blue Cross Plan are shown below:

	Percentage	Average Increase
Plan Area	Increase	Per Sub. Month
Blue Cross of North   eastern PA	2.22%	$0.71
Highmark Blue Cross    Blue Shield	4.61%	$1.62
Capital Blue Cross	15.64%	$5.34
Independence Blue    Cross	16.68%	$5.97
Overall	10.34%	$3.62

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

   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. 98-1247. Filed for public inspection July 31, 1998, 9:00 a.m.]