1584 Highmark, Inc., d/b/a Highmark Blue Shield; filing no. 1-DPMG (MIDA)-07-HBS; application for approval of Revised Rates for Direct Pay Medicare Supplement (Security65) Programs, providing Medical/Surgical Benefits for Standardized Benefit ...

Highmark, Inc., d/b/a Highmark Blue Shield; Filing No. 1-DPMG (MIDA)-07-HBS; Application for Approval of Revised Rates for Direct Pay Medicare Supplement (Security65) Programs, Providing Medical/Surgical Benefits for Standardized Benefit Packages A, B, C and H, in the Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania and Independence Blue Cross Service Areas; Rate Filing

[37 Pa.B. 4731]
[Saturday, August 25, 2007]

   Highmark Inc., d/b/a Highmark Blue Shield, has filed for approval revised rates for its Security65 medical/surgical programs for the Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania and Independence Blue Cross service areas. The aggregate rate increase requested is 9.9% for the Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania service area and 15.0% for the Independence Blue Cross service area. The requested effective date of the revised rates is January 1, 2008. The most recent prior rate adjustment for these programs took effect on September 1, 2005. The current and requested rates for First Eligible issues, and the requested rate adjustments, are as follows:

Blue Cross of Northeastern PA Service Area Benefit Plan	Policy Number	Current Rate	Proposed Rate	Rate Adjustment
Plan A	MDGAP-A	$63.80	$63.80	0.0%
Plan B	MDGAP-B	$70.15	$76.95	9.7%
Plan C	MDGAP-C	$70.15	$76.95	9.7%
Plan H	MDGAP-H	$78.70	$86.80	10.3%

Independence Blue Cross Service Area Benefit Plan	Policy Number	Current Rate	Proposed Rate	Rate Adjustment
Plan A	5450	$104.15	$119.75	15.0%
Plan B	5451	$104.15	$119.75	15.0%
Plan C	5452	$104.15	$119.75	15.0%
Plan H	5453	$112.95	$129.85	15.0%

   These rate adjustments would affect approximately 42,945 members and would produce approximately $4.0 million in additional premium annually in the Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania service area, and would affect approximately 47,468 members and would produce approximately $9.4 million in additional premium annually in the Independence Blue Cross service area.

   Unless formal administrative action is taken prior to November 8, 2007, 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 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 offices in Harrisburg and Pittsburgh.

   Interested parties are invited to submit written comments, suggestions or objections to Michael Gurgiolo, 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,   
Acting Insurance Commissioner

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 07-1584. Filed for public inspection August 24, 2007, 9:00 a.m.]