Highmark Blue Shield; Rate Filing [33 Pa.B. 4042] On July 22, 2003, Highmark Blue Shield submitted Filing No. 200315 (Department ID No. A71977001) requesting a 10% rate increase for the Direct Pay ClassicBlue Hospital Plan (Central Region). The following benefit changes are also proposed:
* Outpatient physical therapy visits are limited to 15 changed from unlimited.
* Speech and occupational therapy visits are limited to 15 combined from unlimited.
* An outpatient deductible of $100 is being added.
* A calendar year maximum benefit of $1 million and a lifetime maximum of $5 million per member is being added.
The filing will affect approximately 460 contract holders and produce additional premium income of about $184,000.
Copies of the filing are available for public inspection during normal working hours, by appointment, at the Insurance Department's regional office in Harrisburg.
Interested parties are invited to submit written comments, suggestions or objections to Cherri Sanders-Jones, Actuary, Bureau of Accident and Health Insurance, Insurance Department, 1311 Strawberry Square, Harrisburg, PA 17120 within 30 days after publication of this notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
M. DIANE KOKEN,
Insurance Commissioner[Pa.B. Doc. No. 03-1567. Filed for public inspection August 8, 2003, 9:00 a.m.]
