1464 Highmark Inc. d/b/a Highmark Blue Shield; approval to increase base rates for central region small group customers; rate filing

Highmark Inc. d/b/a Highmark Blue Shield; Approval to Increase Base Rates for Central Region Small Group Customers; Rate Filing

[34 Pa.B. 4340]

   On July 12, 2004, by filing no. 200405, Highmark Inc. d/b/a Highmark Blue Shield submitted a request to increase base rates for Central Region Small Group customers. The requested base rate increase is 9.2% in addition to the other prior base rate increases. The cumulative annual increase in base rates as a result of this, and previously approved filings, would be 26.8% for the majority of the small group customers.

   The requested client notification date is on or after September 1, 2004.

   Unless formal administrative action is taken prior to October 20, 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. 04-1464. Filed for public inspection August 6, 2004, 9:00 a.m.]