1525 Highmark Inc. d/b/a Highmark Blue Shield; new direct pay medically underwritten PPO high deductible health plans (rates are based on age, gender, smoker or nonsmoker); rate filing

Highmark Inc. d/b/a Highmark Blue Shield; New Direct Pay Medically Underwritten PPO High Deductible Health Plans (Rates are Based on Age, Gender, Smoker or Nonsmoker); Rate Filing

[34 Pa.B. 4530]

   By filing no. 1-HDHP/INGPPO-04-HBCBS (western region only), Highmark Inc. d/b/a Highmark Blue Shield requests approval of rates for new medically underwritten direct pay PPO High Deductible Health Plans. The requested rates are based on age, gender, smoker or nonsmoker categories.

   The requested effective date for the plans is January 1, 2005.

   Unless formal administrative action is taken prior to October 27, 2004, the subject filing may be deemed approved by operation of law.

   A copy of the filing is available on the Insurance Department's (Department) website: www.ins.state.pa.us. To access the filing, select ''Consumer Information'' on the left side. Under ''General Information,'' click on ''Notices.'' The pdf copy is at the ''Filing.pdf'' link following the name of the filing.

   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 Bharat Patel, Insurance Department, Insurance Product Regulation and Market Enforcement, Room 1311, Strawberry Square, Harrisburg, PA 17120, [e-mail] within 30 days after publication of this notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

M. DIANE KOKEN,   
Insurance Commissioner

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 04-1525. Filed for public inspection August 13, 2004, 9:00 a.m.]