1563 Highmark, Inc., d/b/a Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield; filing no. 1-MGP(AA)-08-HBCBS; application for approval of revised rates for attained age nongroup MedigapBlue plans for the Western Pennsylvania region, providing standardized benefit ...

Highmark, Inc., d/b/a Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield; Filing No. 1-MGP(AA)-08-HBCBS; Application for Approval of Revised Rates for Attained Age Nongroup MedigapBlue Plans for the Western Pennsylvania Region, Providing Standardized Benefit Packages E and I; Rate Filing

[38 Pa.B. 4704]
[Saturday, August 23, 2008]

   Highmark, Inc. has filed for approval revised rates for its nongroup MedigapBlue Program. The aggregate rate increase requested is 8.8%. The requested effective date of the revised rates is January 1, 2009. The most recent prior rate adjustment for this program took effect on January 1, 2008. The current and requested rates for age 65--69 issues, and the requested rate adjustments, are as follows:

Standardized Benefit Plan	Policy Number	Current Rate	Proposed Rate	Rate Adjustment
Plan E--Region 1	MB/W-E	$151.15	$164.60	8.9%
Plan E--Region 2	MB/W-E	$135.20	$147.25	8.9%
Plan I--Region 1 w/Rx	MB/W-I	$209.45	$224.60	7.2%
Plan I--Region 2 w/Rx	MB/W-I	$187.35	$200.90	7.2%
Plan I--Region 1 w/o Rx	MB/W-I	$165.20	$179.90	8.9%
Plan I--Region 2 w/o Rx	MB/W-I	$147.75	$160.90	8.9%

   Region 1 consists of the following counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland. The other counties in the western Pennsylvania region are in Region 2.

   These rate adjustments would affect approximately 7,687 members and would produce approximately $1.4 million in additional premium annually.

   Unless formal administrative action is taken prior to November 5, 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, mgurgiolo@ state.pa.us within 30 days after publication of this notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

JOEL SCOTT ARIO,   
Insurance Commissioner

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 08-1563. Filed for public inspection August 22, 2008, 9:00 a.m.]