1562 Highmark, Inc.; Direct Pay Medicare Supplement (Security65); Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania and Independence Blue Cross Plan Areas; rate filing

Highmark, Inc.; Direct Pay Medicare Supplement (Security65); Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania and Independence Blue Cross Plan Areas; Rate Filing

[38 Pa.B. 4703]
[Saturday, August 23, 2008]

   By filing No. 1-DPMG (MIDA)-08-HBS, Highmark, Inc., d/b/a Highmark Blue Shield, requests approval to increase the premium rates for the Direct Pay Medicare Supplement (Security65) Programs in the Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania and Independence Blue Cross Plan Areas. The filing requests an average increase of 7% of current premium, or an average of $7.32 per subscriber per month. Increases may vary by program, reflecting differences in claim costs. This will affect approximately 79,000 subscribers and produce additional premium income of about $4.92 million annually. The requested effective date of the change is January 1, 2009.

   Unless formal administrative action is taken prior to November 6, 2008, the subject filing may be deemed approved by operation of law.

   A copy of the filing is available on the Insurance Department's (Department) web site at www.ins. state.pa.us. To access the filing, under ''Quick Links'' click on ''Rate Filings Published in the PA Bulletin.''

   A copy of the filing is also available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal working hours at the Department's Harrisburg Regional office.

   Interested parties are invited to submit written or email comments, suggestions or objections to Michael Gurgiolo, Insurance Department, Insurance Product Regulation, 1311 Strawberry Square, Harrisburg, PA 17120, [e-mail] within 30 days after publication of this notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

JOEL SCOTT ARIO,   
Insurance Commissioner

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 08-1562. Filed for public inspection August 22, 2008, 9:00 a.m.]