1567 Highmark, Inc.; filing no. 1A-SCMS-08-HI; requesting approval to increase rates for Special Care Medical Surgical Plans; rate filing

Highmark, Inc.; Filing No. 1A-SCMS-08-HI; Requesting Approval to Increase Rates for Special Care Medical Surgical Plans; Rate Filing

[38 Pa.B. 4706]
[Saturday, August 23, 2008]

   By filing No. 1A-SCMS-08-HI, Highmark, Inc., d/b/a Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and Highmark Blue Shield, requests approval to revise premium rates for its Special Care Medical/Surgical programs in the Central region, Southeastern (IBC) region, Western Pennsylvania region and Northeastern Pennsylvania region.

Region	Percentage Increase	Additional Prem. per Month	Number of Contracts
Central Region	8.9%	$13,000	2,500
Western Region	8.9%	$64,000	11,400
Independence Blue Cross (IBC)	8.9%	$32,000	5,900
Blue Cross of Northeastern PA	8.9%	$21,000	4,300
All Regions Combined	8.9%	$130,000	24,100

   The filing requests an average increase of 8.9% or $5.41 per contract per month. This will affect about 24,100 contract-holders and produce additional premium income of about $1,560,000 per year. 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. Under the Quick Links section, click on the link ''Rate Filings Published in the PA Bulletin.''

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

   Interested parties are invited to submit written comments, suggestions or objections to James Laverty, 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.

JOEL SCOTT ARIO,   
Insurance Commissioner

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 08-1567. Filed for public inspection August 22, 2008, 9:00 a.m.]